Office Book Club
Hear it is, my big advice…read a book and take action!
Wait, don’t X out the window just yet. Here is the problem with reading books as part of employee or staff development: even if all employees find the time and motivation to read a book in its entirety, the knowledge they have just gained from it will most likely get stored away in the things-I-know-but-in-all-likelihood-won’t-use box.
Here is my example: A few months back I decided I wanted to learn how to compost. What did I do? I went down to my library (yes, I still use the library) and checked out the book Composting: An Easy Household Guide by Nicky Scott. Upon finishing the book I became the queen of composting relentlessly talking about everything compost related, how it works, the benefits, the system I was going to set up, the garden I would start and fertilize with my compost, I went on and on.Now, do you think I have composted one single scrap of anything since the day I finished reading that book? NOPE - my apologies Mother Earth – but the composting queen’s reign ended as quickly as it started. There it is...composting: a-thing-I-know-about-but-in-all-likelihood-won’t-use.
The major flaw in reading is that, while it is probably one of the best, most efficient ways to learn about a topic, area of interest, field of study, etc., it doesn’t guarantee action. When it comes to investing in staff and employee development you want action.
How do you do that? Office Book Club! Not like the Oprah-inspired “book clubs” that always seem to be very heavy in talking, gossiping, eating, drinking, and laughing but very light in actual reading. Office book club is merely an activity that will provide employees with the mutual support and encouragement of one another to generate beneficial action from the books they read.
Office Book Club in a Nutshell
SET UP
Have employees get into groups or partners and pick a book for them to read or have them pick a book to read. Each group or pair should schedule regular meetings monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, or whatever timeline is the best fit. Each meeting should involve a discussion on the chapters or sections read. This will give employees the opportunity to explore topics covered, hash out any questions they may have, and deepen their understanding of the book.
ACTION
After employees have completed reading the book have them create and commit to a plan that incorporates the new things they have learned. At this point, employees should continue to meet so they can track one another’s progress, help each other work through any issues that may arise, or make any necessary alterations to the plan.
RESULTS
Ask employees to provide their feedback of the book as well as their recommendations for the contingent action plan. If they have found it to be successful/helpful, implement it staff wide.
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