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:

1. 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.
2. The H.E.A.R.T. Framework: Humanize, Empower, Ascend, Reimagine, and Transform.
3. How the book offers a practical toolkit with discussion questions and “micro-moves” to help teams identify and address cultural and operational obstacles.
4. Why the rug metaphor is so powerful, creating safe, non-threatening language to name problems.
5. How using “the rug” as a metaphor has allowed teams to have more honest conversations and make real progress.
6. Examples of typical “rugs” in associations: over-reliance on outdated processes, fear of making decisions, board bottlenecks, and member experiences designed for internal convenience.
7. How leaders often misattribute cultural or operational issues to technology alone.
8. 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.
9. Why leadership involvement is key to moving the “AI rug” and reimagining what’s possible.
10. OrgSource’s new Mastermind and AI Accelerator groups that help leaders and teams take action on these ideas.

References:

1. .orgSource Website
2. Get the book: Rug: How to Move What You're Tripping Over and Lead with H.E.A.R.T.