Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission on direct purchases through them. You do not pay any more because of it. Please see my Privacy Policy, etc. page for more information. Thanks for your support!
You ever go to a conference and hear about some books that you must read? They sound amazing! So write the name down. And never buy them.
Me, too. So here’s a book list (in no particular order) in case you’ve misplaced yours:
Chamber Of Commerce Book Recommendations
- Chamber Champions by Dave Kilby – I love that these lessons for chamber executives are bite-sized. I can pick up this book at anytime, flip to any page, and learn a quick takeaway.
- Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game: How to Break the Cycle of Frustrating Relationships and Benefit from Fully Engaged Boards by Hardy Smith – “Why don’t board members do what they’re supposed to do?”
- Horseshoes vs. Chess: A Practical Guide for Chamber of Commerce Leaders by David Adkisson – published in 2021, this new addition is a must for every chamber bookshelf.
- Advocacy Basics for Chambers of Commerce: The ABC’s of Government Relations by Kyle Jacobson
- 13 Ways to Kill Your Community by Doug Griffiths – “Every Small Town Politician, Business entrepreneurs, concerned Citizens and Community Leaders should read this book to learn why some Communities continue to grow while others fail,” said Rob Staffen.
- A chamber membership pro, anything by Kyle Sexton
- Chamberology by Diane Probst – a self-proclaimed “all-in-one guide to maximizing your own and your chamber’s potential.”
- The Post-Boomer Chamber: Attracting Gen X and Millennial Leaders – Honestly it’s mostly survey answers, but a good insight to what potential & current member think about membership.
- The Magicians of Main Street. America and its Chambers of Commerce, 1768- 1945 by Chris Mead – “This original history tells how pickup teams of American business people changed their communities and sometimes their nation and the world.”
- Executive Director Essentials: A Guide to Success for Every Exec by Dot Miller, CAE & Sam Miller
- The End of Membership as we know it by Sarah Sladek – Membership isn’t dead – just stale.
- Relevant to Essential – While it’s currently only available on Kindle, it’s definitely worth the read!
- Also see [hear] Chamber Chat Podcast Episode 106: Relevant to Essential
- Making Your Chamber Make a Difference by Mick Fleming – Download the PDF from ACCE or other organizations (try this link)
- I See Stupid People: and They are Getting on My Last Nerve! by Cheryl Caldwell – because sometimes all you can do is laugh.
- Townies: The negative effects of small town politics and generational bigotry by Layla Cruz – “written by a Chamber director that dealt with unimaginable treatment, to the point of being falsely arrested. If you have ever been discriminated against, dealt with small town politics, worked for a Board of Directors, or served on one, this book is for you.”
- The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand – this is actually a romance novel, but I’m told a central character is a chamber exec, so that’s interesting.
- In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the midst of a national workforce crisis. What some don’t realize is that it was predicted decades ago. Some relevant reads include Workforce Crisis, The Coming Generational Storm, and When the Boomers Bail.
General Leadership
- The 8 Dimensions of Leadership has been my favorite leadership focused book by far. The quiz does a really accurate job of categorizing your style, which then gives specific ways to grow yourself.
- Any book by ACCE & IOM Speaker Justin Patton. He’s inspirational & practical, and wants to help you get out of your own way.
- Arsonist in the Office by Pete Havel – prevent fires & protect yourself, from destructive coworkers to corrosive cultures.
- QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller – I’m obligated to list this book because I received it from a leadership class and assumed I would hate it, but it was surprisingly interesting & insightful.
- The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath – because you want to create powerful memories for others in both your professional & personal life.
- New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make it Work for You by Henry Timms and Jeremy Heimans – many found this inspiring for wanting to make change.
- Leadership is Language by L. David Marquet – real-world issues & exercises to rework the way you converse.
- Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C Maxwell – practical advice for leaders to change for the better.
- Making Remarkable by Adam Legge – How to deliver purpose, inspire people and build a platform for exceptional results.
- Success Simplified – a compilation of thought provoking & practical strategies for business (and nonprofits) and life.
- A Leader’s Gift: How to Earn the Right to be Followed by Barry Banther – is filled with engaging stories to reinvigorate a compassionate leadership style.
- Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs by Bill Hybels – if you prefer shorter reads, the thought-provoking short chapters can read on their own.
- Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell – personal stories & insights to inspire you to make a difference in others’ lives.
- Simon Sinek’s most popular book is Start with Why
- Daniel Pink has a few books available, but Drive was recommended to me
Business Books
As a chamber of commerce, your members/clients/customers/investors are businesses. If you want them to come for you for advice, then I recommend these books to become a better business resource.
- Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz
- His other popular books include Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll., The Pumpkin Plan, and Profit First, but I think this is most applicable for any organization and had several ah-ha moments.
- Networking on Purpose by Beth Bridges
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Other Personal Growth Books I liked
- The Coming Jobs War by Jim Clifton, Chairman of Gallup – while it may not be as timely now that it’s here, I found this book to be really interesting as I didn’t previously understand how jobs affect our country’s GDP, and just how vital small businesses are for creating local jobs.
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin – a powerful letter to help you understand the history & culture of black individuals in the 60s.
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki – a staple in the financial industry, I think it’s so popular because he was able to do a good job of sharing great life advice while still telling a story.
- Financial Freedom: A Proven Path to All the Money You Will Ever Need by Grant Sabatier – Frankly, retirement books will likely start to sound repetitive the more you read them, but this one just really resonated with me.
- 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington
- Stress Free Retirement – Patrick Kelly
