Why You Should Become a Member of the Art of Learning Leadership Academy

Discover how the Art of Learning Leadership Academy transforms leadership through curated book insights, skill-building, and creative problem-solving.

Welcome to the Art of Learning Leadership Academy (AOLLA), where knowledge meets practicality, and leadership is crafted one book at a time. If you’re an avid learner, leader, or business owner hungry for growth but short on time, you’ve found your tribe. And if you’re not a member yet, I’m here to convince you why joining this Academy might just be the smartest decision you make this year.

The Origin Story

The mastermind behind AOLLA, Avil Beckford, has been summarizing books since 2004. With a passion for reading across genres and disciplines, Avil developed a knack for cutting through the fluff and distilling books down to their most essential ideas. Her gift? She knows how to get to the heart of a book and uncover the nuggets of wisdom hidden between the lines. Not just any book though—she specializes in finding off-the-beaten-path gems that didn’t quite make the bestseller lists but are packed with profound insights (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

But here’s the thing—AOLLA isn’t just about saving you the time and effort of plowing through hundreds of pages. It’s about curating, synthesizing, and connecting the dots between key concepts from different books. And it’s done in a way that makes the ideas immediately actionable, whether you’re trying to develop your leadership skills, hone your communication techniques, or just expand your mind.

Bookish Notes: More Than Summaries, They’re Super Summaries

At the heart of AOLLA is what Avil calls Bookish Notes. These aren’t your typical 2-page summaries you might find on any old website. No, these are book summaries on steroids. Imagine a summary so rich with detail that it provides you with:

The big ideas of the book,
Key takeaways and insights,
Practical applications so you can implement the lessons,
A cheat sheet for quick reference,
Discussion questions to deepen your understanding,
Suggestions for related books to group with the one you’ve just read (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

Each bookish note is a mini-masterclass. And let’s be real—most of us don’t have time to read dozens of books a month. But with these notes, you’re getting the best of the best in a fraction of the time. If there’s a problem you’re trying to solve or a question you’re itching to answer, you’ll likely find your solution nestled within these notes.

Beyond Bestsellers

One thing that makes AOLLA stand out is its intentional deviation from mainstream bestsellers. Just because a book sells a million copies doesn’t mean it’s good—or useful. There are plenty of fantastic books out there that get buried under the avalanche of bestseller lists, simply because they don’t have a big publishing engine behind them or a famous author attached (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

Avil has spent years curating a library of these hidden gems. Books that offer unique, invaluable perspectives, and that, more often than not, provide the answers you didn’t even know you were looking for.

The result? You get access to wisdom that most people overlook, and that’s what gives you an edge. It’s not just about reading what everyone else is reading. It’s about reading what no one else is, and gaining insights that will truly set you apart.

Courses Tailored for You

Another fantastic aspect of AOLLA is how the bookish notes are grouped by theme. If you’re interested in a particular topic—say communication, creativity, or leadership—you won’t just get one bookish note. You’ll get a course of curated bookish notes on that theme, each providing a unique angle (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

Take the Art of Communication course, for example. In this course, you’ll go through at least ten Bookish Notes. Each of the Bookish Notes in the course that the book is based on was written by a different author. The diversity of perspectives is key because each author emphasizes a different aspect of communication. By the time you finish the course, you’ll have a solid foundation on the subject, allowing you to confidently apply these principles in real life.

It’s like taking a dive into a topic, but without the hundreds of hours of reading. You get the depth without the time-suck.

The AOLLA Secret: It’s About Creativity Too

AOLLA isn’t just about learning in the traditional sense—it’s also about sparking creativity. Here’s a little secret: you can use bookish notes to cultivate a creative practice (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

Let’s say you make it a habit to read one or two Bookish Notes every day. Over time, you’ll build a repository of knowledge that you can draw on when tackling challenges or brainstorming ideas. You might not need the information immediately. However, it will come in handy down the line when you’re looking for creative solutions.

By reading across disciplines, you expose yourself to a wider range of ideas, allowing you to make unexpected connections between concepts. This kind of lateral thinking is a hallmark of creativity, and it’s something that can be cultivated over time with the right input.

It’s All About Connecting the Dots

A huge part of what makes AOLLA so valuable is its emphasis on connecting ideas across books. When Avil reads a book, she doesn’t just stop at one. She reads multiple books on the same topic and connects the ideas across them to create a cohesive understanding of the subject (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

And that’s what you get with the Bookish Notes too. Each note doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s part of a larger conversation. When you read several bookish notes on a particular topic, you see the bigger picture, and you can draw connections that might not have been obvious if you’d only read one book.

This kind of cross-pollination of ideas is where innovation happens. It’s not about doing what’s been done before. It’s about taking the best wheels from different places and combining them to make something even better.

Customize Your Learning Journey

Here’s something that might surprise you: you can use bookish notes to screen books (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3). Not sure if a book is worth reading cover to cover? Skim through the bookish note first. If it resonates, dive into the full text. If not, you’ve just saved yourself some precious time.

But the kicker is this: you can also connect the dots across multiple books. Read a couple of Bookish Notes on the same subject, then look at the big ideas and see how they align or differ. This process allows you to form a more nuanced understanding of the topic and can even spark new ideas or solutions to problems.

And here’s where it gets fun: you can even use ChatGPT to help you synthesize these ideas across different books. Talk about using AI to boost your learning!

In-Demand Skills and Customized Courses

The world is changing fast, and with it, the skills we need to thrive are evolving too. That’s why AOLLA is committed to staying ahead of the curve by focusing on the skills that are in demand. From leadership and communication to creative thinking and financial literacy, AOLLA’s growing library of bookish notes and courses is designed to equip you with the tools you need to succeed (GMT20241019-215436_Recording.cc-AOLLA-3).

And here’s the best part: new courses are constantly being developed based on feedback from the community. That means you’re not just subscribing to a static resource. You’re becoming part of a living, evolving learning hub that adapts to your needs.

Why Join AOLLA?

By now, I’m sure you’re itching to get your hands on these Bookish Notes. But in case you need a little extra nudge, here are a few more reasons to join the Art of Learning Leadership Academy:

Save Time: Get the best insights from multiple books without having to read them all cover to cover.
Expand Your Knowledge: Access hidden wisdom from off-the-radar books you’d probably never find on your own.
Get Practical: Every bookish note includes actionable steps, so you can immediately apply what you’ve learned.
Foster Creativity: Build your creative muscles by connecting ideas across disciplines.
Stay Ahead: Gain access to new courses and content as they’re developed, ensuring you’re always on top of the latest trends.

In short, if you’re serious about growing as a leader, a thinker, and a learner, AOLLA is the place for you. It’s not just a membership; it’s a tool for transformation. So, what are you waiting for? Become a member of AOLLA today and let the learning (and the leadership) begin!

If you liked this article, or think you could benefit from my Bookish Notes, join my membership site, the Art of Learning Leadership Academy, to access my Bookish Notes.

Avil Beckford is the Founder of The Invisible Mentor and the Art of Learning Leadership Academy. Her podcast is called The One Problem. You can find her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Categories: : Art of Learning Leadership Academy, book summaries, Bookish Notes, creative problem-solving, Leadership development, personal development, professional growth, time management