Reading List 2024

When a Turnkey consultant is speaking, no doubt you're going to get a book reference (several if Dr. Fulton is speaking). The study of the human mind and how people make decisions is an ever-changing area of study. At Turnkey we learn every day through our independent research and through the findings of others. Here are some of the tomes that are most valuable to us.

  • Do you want to raise money for your mission by getting volunteers to ask their peer networks for donations? Katrina VanHuss and Dr. Otis Fulton’s 2023 book will help you do that—or decide not to.

    VanHuss, K., & Fulton, O. Social Fundraising: Mining the New Peer-to-Peer Landscape.

  • How has social media changed the way people mobilize? This recent book is, “The definitive guide to spreading ideas, building movements, and leaping ahead in our chaotic, connected age.” A must read.
    Heimans, J. & Timms, H. New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World –and How to Make it Work for You. Random House Books, 2018.

  • Why are we hard-wired for sociability and find recognition to be so rewarding that it “tastes like our favorite food?” How can we use this knowledge to engage people?
    Lieberman, Matthew D. Social, Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect, Broadway Books, 2014.

  • What is truly motivating? This book describes the power of intrinsic motivation, and how introducing market norms into social relationships can be demotivating.
    Schwartz, Barry. Why We Work (TED Books). Simon & Schuster/TED, 2015. See Chapter 3.

  • What’s a source for the psychology of peer-to-peer fundraising? Katrina VanHuss and Dr. Otis Fulton’s 2017 book.
    VanHuss, K., & Fulton, O. Dollar Dash: The Behavioral Economics of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising.

  • How are people affected by feelings of community? A great read by Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm. Explains why we have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding – "tribes”.
    Juger, Sebastian. Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging. Hachett Book Group, 2016.

  • Why do donors behave in ways that seem irrational? This book describes how you must shift the context from the individual to the group to really understand their decision-making.
    Ariely, D. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. Harper Collins Press, 2008.

  • What do people find rewarding? This book describes the “trifecta for satisfaction” that we should aspire to instill in our supporters: autonomy, mastery, and connection to something greater than oneself.
    Pink, Daniel H. Drive, The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Riverhead Books, 2009.

  • What is behavioral economics, and how does it affect what we know about donors? By the author of Moneyball and The Blind Side, Michael Lewis tells the story of the partnership that led to the creation of the field of behavioral economics.
    Lewis, Michael. The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds. Simon & Schuster, 2016.

  • Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

    Provides readers with the skills needed to tackle difficult conversations and speak persuasively and effectively while maintaining a healthy relationship. You come away with the ability to have conversations in which opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong.

  • Forum by Mo Fathelbab

    Leadership forums have been the secret of successful leaders for decades. This book is a complete "how to" guide and is full of practical examples and stories for both start-up and experienced forums.

  • The Art of Focused Conversation edited by R. Brian Stanfield

    The book restores this most human of attributes to a prime place within businesses and organizations and demonstrates what can be accomplished through the medium of focused conversation. 

  • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

    This groundbreaking tour of the mind explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. How we think can only be understood by knowing how the two systems work together to shape our judgments and decisions.

  • I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships, by Michael S. Sorensen

    Details the whats, whys, and hows of one of the most valuable (yet surprisingly little-known) communication skills—validation. This book delivers simple, practical, proven techniques for improving any relationship in your life.

If your to-read stack is high enough already, take a look at our blogs for something lighter.