Leadership Building for Librarians and Information Professionals Robert D. Stueart

Society is in a “time of parenthesis” bracketed off from the Known Past and the Known Past and the Unknown Future” the Unknown Future”

In today’s environment, nothing is constant or predictable. Three forces, separately and in combination, are driving today’s information organizations Customers Customers Competition Competition Change Change

Change – The Innovative Process If we are reactive and let change overwhelm us or pass us by, we will perceive change negatively If we are reactive and let change overwhelm us or pass us by, we will perceive change negatively If we are proactive, seek to understand the future now, and embrace change, the idea of the unexpected can be positive and uplifting If we are proactive, seek to understand the future now, and embrace change, the idea of the unexpected can be positive and uplifting Bill Gates Bill Gates

Dynamic and caring LEADERSHIP is required to : Building a commitment to Building a commitment to Overcoming resistance to Overcoming resistance to Acceptance of, and Acceptance of, and Embrace sustenance of Embrace sustenance ofCHANGE

The future isn’t what it used to be

Effective Leaders ● live in the present, but ● concentrate on the future.

Leadership cannot really be taught. It can only be learned.

LEADERSHIP vs MANAGEMENT

MANAGER LEADER Administers Administers A copy A copy Focuses on structure Focuses on structure Relies on control Relies on control Short-range view Short-range view Asks how and when Asks how and when Initiates Initiates Accepts status quo Accepts status quo Does things right Does things right Motivates Motivates An original An original Focuses on people Focuses on people Inspires trust Inspires trust Long-range perspective Long-range perspective Asks what and why Asks what and why Originates Originates Challenges Challenges Does right thing Does right thing

Three Qualities of Library Leaders Vision Vision Communication Communication Trustworthiness Trustworthiness

Vision is a realistic, credible, attractive future for an organization Burt Nanis

Communicate Provide a simplified formula of successful communication; Provide a simplified formula of successful communication; Emphasize simply stated values and one or two dominant themes; Emphasize simply stated values and one or two dominant themes; Listen; and Listen; and Understand that the value of power is sharing it Understand that the value of power is sharing it

Trustworthiness Listen; Listen; Allow and encourage input This implies: Allow and encourage input This implies: accountability, accountability, predictability, and predictability, and reliability reliability

Library Leadership Domain Leadership skills Leading yourself Leading yourself Leading other individuals Leading other individuals Leading other groups Leading other groups Leading organizations Leading organizations Time management, stress management, assertiveness Time management, stress management, assertiveness Coaching, mentoring, Coaching, mentoring, delegating, etc. delegating, etc. Meeting management, facilitation skills, etc. Meeting management, facilitation skills, etc. Strategic planning, political skills, etc. Strategic planning, political skills, etc.

"Leadership is like gravity. You know it's there, you know it exists, but how do you define it?" Jamie Williams