The Benefits of Book Club
Within recent years, Arrowhead started a book club to provide our team with the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations that go beyond our day-to-day tasks, help to strengthen relationships and focus on how we can better ourselves as professionals and best serve our company’s strategic goals. Now I’ll be honest, some books and topics have been more well received than others. Some topics have felt more relevant than others. Regardless, book club has proved to be a critical hour of our work week.
Starting a company book club might seem like a small initiative, but it can have a big impact—especially for small businesses. We’ve seen this at Arrowhead! For us, every team member plays a critical role in our success, and we’ve found that engaging in meaningful dialogue on topics relevant to our business and industry has helped to spark innovative ideas and drive business goals. It’s helped us reflect on past decisions, plan for the future, as well as better understand the perspectives of our teammates. We’ve included guest participants, specialty topics and chosen books relevant to helping us become better at what we do. Book club can also provide a mental break from the monotony of daily tasks, offering a relaxed space to reflect and recharge. We’ve found it has brought our team together in positive ways.
Here's a few important considerations for developing your own book club in the workplace:
1. Purpose and Goals
Decide what you want the book club to achieve. Is it for professional development, team bonding, sparking creativity, or promoting growth in a particular area? The purpose will guide your selection.
2. Relevance to the Team
Choose a book that aligns with your team’s interests, roles, or challenges. At Arrowhead, many of our selections have centered upon building great teams, structuring a small business and having success in the professional services industry.
3. Length and Accessibility
Pick a book that’s manageable in length and available in multiple formats (print, digital, audiobook). We meet once a week and break the book up into sections so it’s digestible and there’s plenty of opportunity for rich discussion and deep engagement.
4. Discussion Potential
Look for books that spark conversation. Thought-provoking themes, relatable stories, or practical insights make for a better book club!
6. Team Input
Involve the team in the selection process. Voting on a shortlist or rotating who picks the book can boost participation and ownership.
7. Balance Between Fun and Value
Especially in small companies, where time and resources are limited, it’s important to strike a balance between enjoyment and usefulness.
With minimal investment and maximum impact, a book club is more than just a fun activity—it’s a strategic way to invest in your people and cultivate a thriving company culture.