Available on 
What are the “rugs” that your association keeps tripping over but no one talks about? What if there was a common, accessible language to help your staff and board name and move those obstacles? How can an association help members lead with more heart in a fast-moving, AI-driven world?
In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Sherry Budziak, Founder and CEO, and Kevin Ordonez, President and Managing Director of OrgSource. Sherry and Kevin discuss:
- Why they wrote their new book, RUG: How to Move What You’re Tripping Over and Lead with Heart, and how the real-life story of a literal rug in a boardroom inspired it.
- The H.E.A.R.T. Framework: Humanize, Empower, Ascend, Reimagine, and Transform.
- How the book offers a practical toolkit with discussion questions and “micro-moves” to help teams identify and address cultural and operational obstacles.
- Why the rug metaphor is so powerful, creating safe, non-threatening language to name problems.
- How using “the rug” as a metaphor has allowed teams to have more honest conversations and make real progress.
- Examples of typical “rugs” in associations: over-reliance on outdated processes, fear of making decisions, board bottlenecks, and member experiences designed for internal convenience.
- How leaders often misattribute cultural or operational issues to technology alone.
- The need for associations to reframe how they see AI not just as a tech initiative but as a strategic shift in how work gets done.
- Why leadership involvement is key to moving the “AI rug” and reimagining what’s possible.
- OrgSource’s new Mastermind and AI Accelerator groups that help leaders and teams take action on these ideas.
References:
