How to Be Effective in Your Organization by Nancy Bolt NLA/NELA September, 2005

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 2 Resources Adapted from: How to Grow a Backbone by Susan Marshall, 2000 Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, 2002 Chancing It: Why We Take Risks by Ralph Keyes, 1985 A Place at the Table by Kathleen de la Pena Cook, 2000

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 3 The Basics of Personal Effectives Build competence Grow confidence Take intelligent risks Make a commitment

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 4 10 Strategies for Gaining Power and Influence 1. Get the Big Picture 2. Make Meetings Work for You 3. The Power of the Pen 4. Watch and Learn 5. Expand and Contract

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 5 6.Associate on Purpose 7.Seek and You Shall Find 8.Determine Power Sources 9.Lose the Excuses 10. Decide What You Think and Say So

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 6 Building Competence Having competence means that you have the skills, resources, expertise--wherewithal--to be successful in the environment in which you operate. Competence comes from feelings of success from completing projects, etc. but often comes from overcoming adversity or failures in our lives. Reflecting on past experiences and learning is the way that competence is built. Continue to learn by professional reading and participation

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 7 Competence Building Exercise Think of a project or assignment that you were nervous or concerned about and turned out successfully. What lessons did you learn about yourself? What things would you do differently in the future? How will you apply learning from this instance to future assignments?

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 8 Growing Confidence Confidence stems from increased feelings of competence. Think about your skills five years ago, how have you grown? Confidence kind of sneaks up on us--upon refection, we can see how we view our challenges, and accomplishments differently.

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 9 A Confidence Building Exercise Make a list of all of your abilities Start simple with the basics List everything and note those things you do exceptionally well. Review the list. Your confidence should grow as you feel the pride in your abilities.

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 10 Take Intelligent Risks Risk taking involves “engaging in intelligent and purposeful ventures on behalf of your career and company” Risk taking involves taking measure of the possibility for winning and losing Don’t assume you know what people think or feel

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 11 A Risk Attempting Exercise Review an idea that you considered and then rejected. (You might consider starting with an idea that won’t get you fired should it not be successful.) Why did you reject it? Is it still viable? Try it!

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 12 Making a Commitment Commit the time Commit the energy Do not be dissuaded Reap the results

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 13 “Competence --skills built over time and with practice + plus confidence --the self assurance that comes from mastering skills = equals the ability to take purposeful risk” (Marshall, p.14) + The Commitment to make it happen (Bolt)

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 14 Unintended Competencies Avoidance – Procrastination, skipping meetings, changing the subject, ignoring issues – Lack of resolution (who does what by when) Shuffling the Deck – Constantly shifting issues to avoid dealing with them; two many priorities

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 15 Marking Time – Waiting out something until it goes away Rationalization – We can’t do such and such because……… Silent opposition – Seething in silence, complaining in private, blocking change

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 16 Get the Big Picture Know the pieces Connect the pieces Know your place in the picture

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 17 Make Meetings Work for You Why we hate meetings Guide to discovery Watch the people Summarize what you hear Two questions you should always ask Who’s working on this? How might the library be involved?

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 18 The Power of the Pen Volunteer to take minutes (take them on the computer during the meeting) Take notes and study them Use notes to refresh yours and others memories Highlight actions and answers – To share – To follow-up

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 19 Watch and Learn What eyes show you How eyes connect and reject Use your eyes to your advantage Ask for clarification before reacting

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 20 Expand and Contract Expand your thinking and learning Mind mapping Focus on the essential – What will contribute to success? Pitch the Piles OR Rip and Read (later)

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 21 Associate on Purpose You are who you hang with Look for – Energy givers – Open to new ideas – Teachers and Learners – Promise keepers – Problem solves Volunteer for non-library projects – A Place at the Table

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 22 Seek and You Shall Find The art of asking questions Daring to be direct: Some questions – Can you give me some examples? – Why do you think that happened? – How do you know that? – What do you think? – Why do you believe that? – What’s next? – Can you clarify what you mean? I’m not sure I understand – What will you do? – Who’s in charge of this project and when is something due? And be prepared to answer these questions yourself!

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 23 Determine Power Sources Study the shirtsleeves Intimidation techniques Tapping power sources -- networking Meet the boss (regularly)

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 24 Lose the Excuses Whining If you can’t someone else can Admit mistakes, correct if possible— and move on

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 25 Decide What You Think and Say So Decide what you think – Does the outcome matter to you? – How strongly do you feel? – What can you live with? Say so – If you care, say so – If you don’t’ care, say so – Offer alternatives Absolutely, never, ever, be passive aggressive -- never

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 26 Measuring Your Success Is the library more involved than before in the organization’s/government’s activities? Do people listen more when you speak? Do they defer to you or refer to what you said?

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 27 How to damage your credibility There are no candid moments Who’s loyal to who? Share gossip VERY carefully. Resistance to change Narrow focus

Bolt & Associates, How to Be Effective in Your Organization 28 Time to Reflect: Are You Successful? Consider the following questions in the context of your work environment: – When someone hears your name at work, what do you want to come to mind? – As you think of your work’s challenges, where do you look for advice and inspiration? Who else might you go to? – What two things will you try when you go back home?