We’re launching a community book club pilot!

Learning and knowing happen is many different ways. Reading and engaging with diverse stories and narratives that don’t mirror our own experiences has been a source of personal and professional development for the IONS team. Internally, we hosted a book club, reading titles that challenged us, pushed our thinking, increased empathy, and taught us in unexpected ways. We have enjoyed the practice of reading together and discussing our learnings  – and we wanted to extend the invite to the community! This winter, we’re launching EXPLORATIONS: A JEDDI Book Club for the Community Impact Sector!

EXPLORATIONS will have a total of 4 books this year, one every three months, with each title focusing on themes or topics related to Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDDI). This could be through the subject matter, the character(s), and/or the authors’ experiences and background. We’re excited to offer EXPLORATIONS as another way to connect with your community, learn together, engage with care, and create inclusive practices within the workplace.

Book #1: No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work

Kicking off the new year, the first book No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy highlights the importance embracing our authentic selves, destigmatizing and regulating emotions, and showing up in healthier ways at work.

Synopsis:
The modern workplace can be an emotional minefield, filled with confusing power structures and unwritten rules. We’re expected to be authentic but not too authentic. Professional but not stiff. Friendly but not an oversharer. As organizational consultants and regular people, we know what it’s like to experience uncomfortable emotions at work – everything from mild jealousy and insecurity to panic and rage. Ignoring or suppressing what you feel hurts your health and productivity but so does letting your emotions run wild.

In this book we’ll help you figure out which emotions to toss, which to keep to yourself, and which to express in order to be both happier and more effective. We’ll share the latest research and helpful tips, and reveal the surprising reason why you’ll actually be more healthier and focused if you’re less passionate about your job. Drawing on what we’ve learned from behavioural economics, psychology and our own experiences at countless organizations, we’ll show you how to bring your best self (and your whole self) to work every day.

You can get your copy of the book here:

• Chapters
• Amazon
• Kobo / Audible
• We encourage you to check your local library or independent bookstores!

What to expect:

Sign up for the book club by January 25th to receive the reading schedule, reflection questions and prompts, and to follow along with the community! An email to all book club members will be sent January 25 detailing the reading schedule with reflections and reminders following weekly. After the reading is complete, a live, facilitated discussion will be held virtually at the end of March for anyone who would like to join. We’ll be posting about the book on our Instagram – follow the hashtag #IONSReads to stay up to date and share your journey with us!

Joining after January 25? No worries – sign up below to get caught up on the readings.

Want to be a part of the book club?

Sign up for the reading schedule, weekly updates, additional insights and resources, and more: click here!