Which members are most important to the health of your association? I would argue the innovators among your members are the most important to the health of your association.
The innovators in your membership are the ones who will eventually change the profession or industry. They are the ones who are most likely to succeed in an unstable future. Innovators will lead the way and show others how to achieve what they achieved.
Innovators are not visionaries. Innovators are solution oriented. They see the tough issues in the industry and profession and want to be a part of the solution. Like visionaries, they think strategically and also have the tactical acumen to get stuff done.
Every association should be convening the innovators in their industry or profession. These folks want to meet each other because together they can accelerate their innovative plans. At the same time, the rest of your members can learn from them. Innovators make great board members, authors, coaches, speakers, interviewees, research respondents, and thought leaders.
Tap into your innovators and watch your association move from community resource to community leader.
Related: