As the year wraps up and association professionals take a well-earned pause, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and recharge with a great book. To help inspire your leadership journey into 2026, we asked association board members, CEOs, and sector thought leaders to share the books they recommend for association professionals - titles that have shaped their thinking, strengthened their leadership, and sparked new ideas.
Here’s their curated list of must-reads for the holidays.
Radical Candor - Kim Scott
Recommended by: Matt Connor CAE, AuSAE Board Member & Head of Communications & Corporate Services, Australian Water Association
Why he recommends it:
Often cited as a favourite, and for good reason. Associations are only as good as their people, and our people are only as good as our ability to help them grow and develop. To do that, leaders have to be great at constructive challenge - giving feedback, and receiving it! If you've read it before, read it again.
Deep Work - Cal Newport
Recommended by: Kirsty Kelly, AuSAE Board Member & CEO, Transport Professionals Association
Why she recommends it:
Deep Work by Cal Newport highlights the importance of focused, uninterrupted work, offering practical tools to manage distractions and boost productivity. It's a great resource for achieving significant results in both professional and personal lives, and Kirsty loves the tips on responding to emails.
The First 90 Days - Michael D. Watkins
Recommended by: Ken Griffin, CEO, AUSActive
Why he recommends it:
It’s still remains the go-to guide for anyone starting a new role. It’s practical, strategic and insightful. Every time Ken return to it, he discovers another layer of insight that he missed on the previous read.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Oliver Burkeman
Recommended by: Amanda Lea Kaiser, Engagement Strategist, Author & Keynote Speaker
Why she recommends it:
Oliver Burkeman's book puts time, especially work time, into sharp focus. Association professionals are so, so busy for good reason. Running an association is like running 5-8 businesses in one. But sometimes we all need to step back and focus on the most important things. If you are thinking about doing things at your association differently, this book is well worth your very limited time.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again - Johann Hari
Lola in the Mirror - Trent Dalton
Recommended by: Richard Stokes, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Boarding Schools Association
Why he recommends them:
Richard's top non-fiction, Association book, this year is Grit, a powerful look at what truly drives achievement, not talent, but sustained passion and perseverance. He also recommends Stolen Focus for anyone struggling to carve out space for deep thinking in a distracted world. And for balance, he recommends some fiction too - Lola in the Mirror, a reminder that storytelling also nourishes the mind.
Building a StoryBrand 2.0 - Donald Miller
Recommended by: Olena Lima CAE, Founder & Principal Consultant, MemberBoat
Why she recommends it:
We all know associations love telling stories about themselves. Visit almost any association website and you’ll see “We do this, we deliver that, we advocate here, we provide professional development there”. It’s well-intentioned, but is it really what our members need to hear?
What Miller reminds us is that the member needs to be the hero of the story, and the association plays the guide. He uses the classic Star Wars parallel in the book when Luke Skywalker is the Hero, and Yoda is the Guide. When we flip the script and frame our work around the member’s ambitions, challenges and wins, they suddenly feel part of the association’s story. It becomes relevant, personal and worth paying attention to.
Olena recommend this book to any association aiming to be more member-centric in 2026 and ready to move beyond the same narrative they’ve been telling for the last 50 years. It’s a practical, energising way to sharpen your value proposition and help members see themselves in the story.
The Forever Transaction - Robbie Kellman Baxter
Recommended by: Damien Smith AM, Managing Director, Enterprise Care Pty Ltd & Principal Solicitor
Why he recommends it:
The Forever Transaction show how to build a subscription model so compelling, your Customers will never want to leave. This is a blueprint for membership driven organisations to deepen value and loyalty. Baxter translates the subscription mindset into actionable strategies for associations aiming to grow engagement and sustainable revenue.
Happy Reading and Merry Christmas
Whether you're looking to recharge, reflect, or reimagine the future of your association, these books offer powerful insights to take into the new year.
Wishing all association professionals a Merry Christmas. May your break include good books, good company, and a renewed sense of purpose for 2026 and beyond.
