Agora Leadership Book Summary Club
IMAGINE accelerating your leadership growth without spending hours reading the latest business and leadership books...
Gain all the wisdom, without even reading the book. It's like Cliff's notes for books!
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the mountain of leadership books you want to read, you've probably also faced the reality that there just isn't enough time...
… but what if you could capture the wisdom of these best-selling books and start applying powerful insights right away - without even picking up a book?
What would be possible for you if you could gain the knowledge that others spend weeks acquiring in less than 15 minutes per month?
What if you could reclaim your valuable time for what truly matters AND have the skills to step into your full leadership potential?
Stepping into your full leadership potential happens naturally with Agora Leadership Book Summary Club!
Whether you serve as a leader in your workplace or your community space, when combined with 1 hour of monthly community, the 15 minute (or less) book summaries allow you to know exactly where to spend your energy and time to get the best results.
You receive tools and strategies that support you to...
- Get that next promotion or step into a new leadership role
- Lead your team, peers and cross-functional teams with greater confidence and impact
- Inspire others with your vision and create lasting change...
...all while staying current with the latest leadership trends alongside a community of like-hearted leaders --- without the overwhelm.
On average it takes 8 hours to read a 250 page book. Our book summaries are less than 15 minutes. That's 96% less time spent reading, with 100% of the benefit!
This is not your average leadership book club.
You get cutting-edge insights + meaningful community, without even reading the book!
Your exclusive membership, includes the following 3 elements:
1. Twelve Curated Audio/Video Book Summaries (1 per month)
LISTEN
Learn key concepts in 96% less time!
Each month, one title is selected from our engaging audio and video library of more than 300 best-selling titles. Each summary allows you to stay on top of the latest business and self-improvement thought leadership in less than 15 minutes. (Want the full library? You can add that onto your membership!)
View the curated list of books & schedule below.
2. Community of Like-Hearted Leaders
CONNECT
Know you are not alone!
This isn't just about accessing knowledge; it's about being part of a thriving community of heart-centered leaders. Connect with peers, share experiences, and collaborate with others on your growth journey. Each quarter we rotate through 3 leadership categories; Inner Leadership, Leadership Skill Development and Team/Community Leadership.
3. One Monthly LIVE Book Circle
GROW
Act on what you learn!
Join us for a LIVE Book Circle monthly via Zoom, where we provide opportunities to design custom actions and apply your learning. This is your chance to get the world's top experts' insights delivered right to your Zoom room and tailor them to your specific needs in LIVE community. Circles are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am CT.
I love that I am surrounded by my collection of books, even if many are still waiting for the day that I’ll finally find time to read them! What makes ALBC unique is that I only spend a fraction of the time learning what’s inside the books I’ve wanted to read, and I have a new community of other leaders together each month for insightful discussions. After just three months I consider my return on investment for the year covered! Thanks, Val!
Deb Ingersoll
Systemic Coach and Sensemaker, Complexity Untangled
The ideas from the book were great, but the ideas + live group coaching is so much more powerful. The results that I’m getting from reading the summary, reflecting on some great questions and having a really great conversation with some really smart humans who are also being vulnerable and processing is a heck of a lot of value. Thank you, you’re amazing, it’s working!!!”
Jennifer Doyle-Vancil
Strengths-Based Executive + Career Coach @ Communicating Strengths, LLC
Agora Leadership Book Summary Club is for any leader who:
- Buys more leadership or business books than they could ever realistically get through or
- Isn’t a big reader, but still wants the wisdom from top leadership books or just
- Doesn’t have the time to sit down and read, but is committed to growth and no matter what...
- Is heart-centered and ready to engage in meaningful connections
A brief note about how we define "leader" at Agora. If you...
- Hold yourself accountable for finding potential in people or processes
- Desire to be a catalyst for change and make a meaningful difference in the communities/teams you serve
- Want to show up, take risks, learn and inspire...
Then YOU are, undoubtedly, a leader!
Leaders can lead from any position or job title. You may...
- Lead a team of direct reports or be a direct report leading cross-functional teams, projects and/or processes
- Serve as a leader in your community, serve on a board or are building a community of your own.
Sound like you? Consider the following before joining:
- Engagement: While the Book Club is an outrageously low-cost and accessible resource, we strongly encourage active participation and contribution! This is an intentionally smaller community. Please note subscriptions to Agora Leadership Book Club will not be extended due to inactivity.
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Community Goals: Our goal is to provide a nurturing environment where leaders can access the essential tools necessary to foster their growth whether a first-time or long-time leader.
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Time Commitment: During your annual membership we encourage listening to the 1 monthly book summary provided (15 minutes or less), reflection on curated questions (15-30 minutes) and monthly participation in the Book Circle (1 hour). 1.5 hours per month is all you need and calls are recorded for viewing later.
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Email Communication: You can expect carefully curated content that includes your monthly book summary + reflection questions, an invitation to our monthly Book Circle and sporadic, but meaningful newsletter content. We believe that email communication is a vital component of our commitment to keeping you engaged and informed within our community.
What makes ALBC unique is the variety of experiences that members share. I learn something new from this group every month. And I love that I am investing in myself and practicing self-care while learning and growing with other members.
Emily Hogan
Assistant Town Manager - Administration
As a Coach who works with managers and leaders, the Agora Leadership Book Club has been an invaluable resource and provides a supportive community. The content is manageable and, if I don’t have time to read the book, there is no pressure because the content is made accessible for busy people. Our conversations during the meetings allow a deeper processing of the information that helps it stick. I learn as much from Val and the other group members as I do from the content. Finally, a book club that I feel joyful about attending even when I haven’t read the entire book!
Stacy Crawford
Klear Water Coaching & Wellness Founder
Hi Friend, I'm Valeyne!
I’ve always been drawn to books, captivated by the ideas they hold—even if I didn’t always get around to reading them. You could say my addiction to buying things I didn’t need began at the Scholastic Book Fair!
Like many, I’ve kept a running list of books that’s way longer than I could ever realistically finish.
Do you relate?
But here’s the thing—I don’t want any of us to keep buying more books we’ll never read. Especially not leadership or business books that just collect dust on the shelf.
I’m all for investing in books you’ll actually read, but what about the ones you hope to read someday? The ones that inspire you from afar but sit untouched with bookmarks stuck at chapter two?
I’ve been there. My closets are full of these unopened, dusty works of art.
It wasn’t until I discovered the magic of book summaries that I finally started gaining the wisdom from these incredible books—without the overwhelm.
But I realized something important: just having the insights wasn’t enough. For them to make a real difference, I had to apply what I was learning. And that’s where I hit a wall—I couldn't do it alone.
Without community, it’s easy to get stuck in our own habits or lose motivation. But when you're surrounded by others on a similar path, you gain new perspectives, accountability, and the courage to implement real change.
And that’s when the lightbulb moment hit: What if I could create a space for leaders like me?
Leaders who:
- Buy more leadership or business books than they could ever realistically get through or
- Aren't big readers but still want the wisdom from top leadership books or just
- Don't have the time to sit down and read, but are committed to growth and no matter what...
- Are heart-centered and ready to engage in meaningful connections
That’s how Agora Leadership Book Summary Club was born.
I partnered with the team at Readitfor.me to bring you powerful summaries from the latest and greatest leadership books. And then I built a community of like-hearted people who, like you, are dedicated to growing as leaders.
I’d love for you to join us on this journey, where we’ll keep growing, one book summary at a time. You can check out the list of upcoming books below and start your 1 year subscription right away. Are there books on this list that you've had on your queue forever. What would it be like to have read all of them in 1 year from now?
With love and purpose,
Valeyne
Your Inner Leadership Coach & Founder of Agora Leadership Book Summary Club
Monthly Book Features
-Book Summaries are released on the 1st of each month.
-Live Monthly Book Circles are offered via Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am CT/11am ET.
-Each quarter we rotate between 3 categories of leadership books: Inner Leadership, Leadership Skill Development and Team/Community Leadership.
October 23rd, 2024
Inner Leadership
You Are A Badass
by: Jen Sincero
As the subtitle to this book says, it's time to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.
November 13th, 2024
Leadership Skill Development
The Power of Moments
by: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Discover how the power of specific moments can change the trajectory of our lives. This insightful read explores how memorable experiences shape us.
December 11th, 2024
Team/Community Leadership
Tribes
by: Seth Godin
Seth Godin tells us that Tribes are more important than ever. This is your field guide for creating one that sparks a movement.
January 8th, 2025
Inner Leadership
Flourish
by: Martin Seligman
In 1998, Martin Seligman became the president of the American Psychological Association, and brought with him the goal of exploring what makes life worth living and building the conditions to make it happen.
February 12th, 2025
Leadership Skill Development
A More Beautiful Question
by: Warren Berger
Would the world be better off if we asked more and better questions? This is something that Warren Berger sets out to answer is his great book, A More Beautiful Question.
March 12th, 2025
Team/Community Leadership
Resonate
by: Nancy Duarte
Discover techniques to engage your audience, create compelling narratives, and leave a lasting impact.
April 9th, 2024
Inner Leadership
The Miracle Morning
by: Hal Elrod
How you start your day sets the tone for your day. The tone for your day sets the trajectory of your life. Find out how the magic of The Miracle Morning can work for you.
May 14th, 2024
Leadership Skill Development
Originals
by: Adam Grant
Are you destined to do something truly great with your business and life? Adam Grant has written Originals so you can follow in the footsteps of those who've blazed the trails before you.
June 11th, 2024
Team/Community Leadership
The Blue Sweater
by: Jacqueline Novogratz
What drives a woman to leave a career in international finance to work in the developing world to understand the underpinnings of poverty? This inspiring story has some amazing answers.
July 9th, 2024
Inner Leadership
The Power of Now
by: Eckhart Tolle
We all know that living in the present leads to a healthier, much happier and more fulfilling life. This summary shows us exactly how to get to and stay within the present amid the bustle of our daily grind.
August 13th, 2024
Leadership Skill Development
Conversational Intelligence
by: Judith Glaser
Join us on an eye-opening journey into the world of communication, where every word has the power to shape our experiences, build meaningful connections, and unlock the path to success.
September 10th, 2024
Team/Community Leadership
How to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace
by: Melinda Briana Epler
This crucial guide for creating inclusive and equitable workplaces provides actionable strategies for understanding privilege, confronting biases, and supporting colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Through real-life examples and practical advice, readers are empowered to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. Melinda Briana Epler emphasizes personal growth and the positive impact of allyship on organizational culture and success.
October 8th, 2024
Inner Leadership
Atlas of the Heart
by Brené Brown
At the heart of Brené Brown's book is the idea that if we were better able to use language to identify and communicate the emotions we all feel, our lives would be transformed.
November 12th, 2024
Leadership Skill Development
Switch
by: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Do you find that creating change is hard, both in yourself and in others? You aren't alone. Luckily, the Heath Brothers have written the ultimate "how-to" book on creating change when it's hard.
December 10th, 2024
Team/Community Leadership
Influencer
by: Josephy Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Macfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Everyone wants more influence. Whether as a CEO, a dad, a friend, or employee, we all want the ability to convince other people to do what we want. And this superpower is within your reach.
Have More Questions?
Have More Questions?
Great! We love 'em!
Great! We love 'em!
Below you will find the most commonly asked questions. If other questions arise, email valeyne@agoracoach.com and I will answer you directly.
Agora Leadership Book Club is for leaders that consider themselves to be legacy-minded, heart-centered and growth-oriented. Each quarter we rotate through 3 leadership categories; Inner Leadership, Leadership Skill Development and Team/Community Leadership. Whether you serve as a leader in your workplace or your community space, Agora Leadership Book Summary Club is for you.
If you...
- Hold yourself accountable for finding potential in people or processes
- Desire to be a catalyst for change and make a meaningful difference in the communities/teams you serve
- Want to show up, take risks, learn and inspire and
- Lead a team of direct reports, cross-functional teams, projects and/or processes
Then YOU are, undoubtedly, a leader!
Leaders can lead from any position or job title. You may...
- Lead a team of direct reports or be a direct report leading cross-functional teams, projects and/or processes
- Serve as a leader in your community, serve on a board or are building a community of your own.
No! We believe that you can lead from any position or job title. You may manage people, projects or even cross-functional teams. You may be a leader in your community, building a community or even serve on a board. Note that our third book leadership category is "Team/Community Leadership". You are encouraged to checkout our book list for the year and see if these books interest you. If they resonate you are welcome to join, regardless of your job title. You can see the full schedule and book features for 2024 here.
Agora Leadership Book Club includes 1 specially curated audio/video book summary per month, 1 monthly LIVE Book Circle via Zoom to put your learning in motion and you will learn to integrate the content more holistically by gathering in a community of growth-oriented and like-hearted leaders.
Book Circles are offered during the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am CT/11am ET. View the full schedule and book features for 2024 above.
Before making a commitment to join Agora Leadership Book Club you will want to confirm you are available for the majority of the LIVE experiences and block your calendar in advance. Sessions will be recorded while in the main room, but due to the nature of the conversations and having multiple breakout groups, breakout rooms are not recorded. If you are unable to attend a session, you will be able to review the portion that was recorded and will still be able to listen to the book summary any time during the month.
Yes, you will! Each book summary will be shared on the 1st of the month or immediately if you join after that date. Before joining the book circle you will want to schedule 15 minutes to listen to the summary and 15-30 minutes to complete the pre-reflection. Completing the pre-reflection will allow us to deepen the conversation and integrate the learning more holistically.
At this time, we design all of our LIVE community experiences to be intentionally small. In fact, Agora Leadership Book Summary Club is the largest community, by size, we currently offer. We believe the greatest likelihood for lasting transformation happens in smaller community where you can be brave. Agora Leadership Book Summary Club offers at least 1 breakout group with every monthly circle so you can learn and grow with others.
Agora Leadership Book Summary Club is not a one hit wonder kind of experience. We have a 12-Month minimum commitment. Our focus is to build long-term community that goes deep.
Yes! Agora Leadership Book Summary Club is open for enrollment anytime of year and your 12 month membership begins from the first day of enrollment.
Refunds are not available. Please read the sales page fully to avoid any misunderstandings about what is being covered and what is included. To see our full payment terms, click here.
Because we aim to create a more holistic integration, we don’t offer the full library as a stand alone offer. In our 1:1 coaching programs, as well as group coaching programs, you gain access to additional curated book summaries, along with other content, on an as needed basis.
Our name, inspired by the ancient Greek Agora, reflects our vision of a gathering space where individuals connect to find not only access to cutting-edge thought leadership, but also a sense of community and belonging.
Agora Leadership Book Club is your gateway to a world of knowledge, growth and connection.
Absolutely! And YOU are an awesome to consider your team and company growth in this way. I would be happy to work with you to create a custom book list that supports the goals of your team/company over the course of the year AND I will create a custom learning experience each month to lead the monthly book circles. Email me at valeyne@agoracoach.com to inquire about pricing and additional options.