1. The question: What, in your opinion, are the elements (attributes, ingredients) of an excellent library? The process: Write your answers on Post-its. Use a separate Post-it for each element. Dont combine ideas into lists or long sentences. Write clearly so others can read your answers. Post.

2. Meet Me in the Middle A workshop with George Needham and Joan Frye Williams OLA Superconference – February 2, 2011

3. Challenges of middle management

9. Its not your job (or anyone elses) to make everyone happy

10. Or to get everyone to like you

11. Management Control

12. Beyond the desk schedule Make your library more effective Make your boss more effective Make your staff more effective

13. What makes group work successful? Take five Post-It notes Think of a successful project youve worked on Write one aspect of that project on each of your five Post-It notes (one aspect per page) Attach the Post-It notes to the flip chart Clump the Post-It notes into common themes Circle and name the themes Prepare to shout out your results!

14. Manage the environment

15. Clear expectations

16. Appreciative inquiry

17. Tools, not rules

18. Civility

19. Empathy

20. Focus

21. Accountability

22. Extra credit: Foster innovation Steal from the best Make analogies Use familiar tools in new ways Turn what you know inside out, upside down, or on its head Look through the other end of the telescope

23. A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world. John Le Carré

24. Manage communications

25. Honesty up, honesty down

26. Enough with the eye roll!

27. Heres whats in it for you…

28. Communicating bad news Be empathetic Dont delay Stick to the facts No sugar coating No sandwiching Link to principles

29. Speaking truth to power

30. Handling rumors

31. Providing effective feedback

32. The classic objections It will never work We tried that in 1997 and it was a disaster Our patrons/member libraries/board wont like it It will take too much time We cant afford it We cant do it without more staff It means throwing away all the work weve done You cant prove its any better than what we have This isnt why I came to work here

33. How can we…

34. Extra credit: Translate the code words

35. Manage decision-making

36. Loyalty up, loyalty down

37. Loyalty across, too

38. A voice, a vote, or a veto?

39. Beware of yes men and women

40. Assume responsibility for solutions

41. Avoid binary thinking

42. Treat exceptions as exceptions

43. Whats the difference between principles, outcomes, and techniques?

44. Consensus The process was fair. I understood the decision criteria. There was an opportunity for my voice to be heard. Even if the direction isnt exactly what I would have chosen, I will support it fairly in my communications and actions.

45. Extra credit: Look for patterns and anticipate needs

46. Manage relationships

47. Working with colleagues

48. Working with partners

49. Working with mentors

50. Dont let it be lonely at the top

51. Overcome the urge to hide

52. Extra credit: Infiltrate non-library groups

53. Manage results

54. Cultivate continuous improvement

55. Prepare for success

56. Motivating yourself and others

57. Overcoming resistance

58. When staff dig in Link to outcomes Listen to concerns Encourage participation Cultivate champions Reward desirable behavior Be prepared to change yourself Repeat as necessary

59. Neutralizing the pit dwellers

60. Extra credit: Leverage mistakes

61. How can you help your staff learn from mistakes? What can you do? What questions can you ask?

62. The top managers responsibility

63. The middle managers responsibility

64. The staff members responsibility

65. When in doubt, choose…

66. Simplicity

67. Generosity

68. Flexibility

69. Urgency

70. Trust

71. Fun

72. Show the passion!

73. Signs that youre on the right track You care deeply about what youre doing You spend much of your time actively listening You learn every day You share the credit People bring you ideas and not just complaints

74. Dont forget what we said about not trying to make everyone happy!

75. Lets continue the conversation E-mail hello@georgeandjoan.com Visit http://georgeandjoan.com