9 Insights & Ideas In our increasingly diverse world, association executives face some unique challenges. Associations are meant to bring people together around shared goals, but let’s face it—collaboration can be tricky when public discourse sometimes feels heated. The good news? We’ve got a powerful tool to help: shared human values. By focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can create more cohesive, effective, and harmonious organizations. Let’s explore three “Power Values” identified through valuegraphics research: Loyalty, Personal Responsibility, and Independence. These values are particularly strong among members of professional associations in the USA. For transparency, our study included individuals who had been members of a professional association for at least five years and served on a board or committee. Step 1: Setting the Stage for Success Before we dive into handling disagreements, let’s talk about proactive steps. The key is to align your association—and its members—so closely with these Power Values that it creates a deep, meaningful connection. When you achieve this, people will think twice before saying or doing anything that might damage that alignment. Loyalty: Strengthening Our Bonds Loyalty among association members shows up in a special way—it’s all about shared experiences. This means that creating more experiential programming can really boost both member engagement and loyalty. It’s a great way to lay the groundwork for friendlier interactions when tough subjects arise. Fun Idea: Instead of the typical “rubber chicken” lunches, why not try walking lunches, mentorship breakfasts, tours, or hands-on workshops? These give members a chance to learn together, share experiences, and build stronger connections. Food for Thought: How can you inject more interactivity into routine meetings? Could you transform a standard committee meeting into a collaborative problem-solving session or a team-building activity? Personal Responsibility: Your Stability Superpower Members across the political spectrum are driven by Personal Responsibility—for them, it’s all about getting things done. Completing tasks gives them a sense of stability. This insight can transform your BUILDING BRIDGES Values-Driven Leadership in Challenging Times David Allison recently spoke at the ASAE Association Leadership Forum at IMEX America, Las Vegas, sharing fascinating results from a valuegraphic study. This study analyzed hundreds of millions of datapoints to identify shared values among association members across the political spectrum. Here’s an article based on those intriguing research findings.
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