Leadership in Libraries Presented by Tina L. Norris

Leadership Defined What is leadership? Leadership has many definitions. I believe that…. Leadership is a process that empowers, encourages, and develops others to work together toward a shared vision.

Leadership Theories 1800’s Great Man Theory 1920’s Max Weber; Mary Park Follett 1930’s Kurt Lewin’s Leadership Styles Framework 1960’s Theory X and Theory Y 1980’s Transformational Leadership 2000’s Emotional Leadership

Trait based leadership Current Theories Leadership based on influence or power used to achieve objectives Trait based leadership Autocratic: “do as I say” leadership; Bureaucratic: creates and relies excessively on polices—committed to policies and procedures not people. Democratic: group of leaders—good in theory, not in reality; Charismatic: Most successful; visionary, motivational—But, tend to develop followers, not people. Situational: adjust to situation—can be problematic. Transactional: deal makers—problems develop because they tend to be looking for what they get in return. Transformational: Most valuable; utilize “buy-in” concept; develop and motivate people.

Traits of a Good Leader Integrity Commitment to the organization Collaborator Visionary Leads by example Principled Motivational

Keys to Good Leadership Model the Way Inspire a shared vision Challenge the process Enable others to act Encourage the heart Kouzes, J. and Posner, B. (2007)

The Collaborative Leader What is a collaborative leader? According to blogger, Jesse Lyn Stoner, “collaborative leaders create communities where people unite around a common purpose and values, working collaboratively to accomplish a shared vision that makes a powerful and positive impact….[they] champion the vision, provide tools and resources [for achieving the vision], and remove the roadblocks to success”.

12 Things Collaborative Leaders Do by Jesse Lyn Stoner Flatten Things Allow leadership to emerge. Know the business and the landscape. Live in the land of curiosity. Ask for directions. Genuinely care about people. Know who they are and where they stand Create an infrastructure for sharing information and learning. Demand dialogue. Expect creative solutions. Seek diversity. Open boundaries while maintaining separation.

My Thoughts… Flatten Things: This brings people together and creates networks. Hierarchies can build walls within an organization, especially when there is excessive disparity in the compensation hierarchy. Know the business and the landscape—Libraries are dynamic, ever-changing, learning organizations and a good leader will continue to develop their own skills and will explore emerging technology and trends. Don’t linger in the past, focus on the future.

My Thoughts…continued Ask for directions: Be human, don’t be afraid to ask for help or to make a mistake. A good leader will turn a mistake into a valuable lesson. Genuinely care about others: Demonstrate respect and trust; build bridges, be interested in employees, everyone should feel valued and cared about. Know who you are and where you stand: Live out the character traits of integrity, honesty, generosity, sincerity; hold yourself accountable; don’t be afraid to take a stand and make the tough decisions.

My Thoughts…continued Create an infrastructure for sharing information and learning: Openly communicate with staff, share information, utilize teachable moments, share knowledge, and develop staff. Share decision making and power throughout the organization. Demand dialogue: Communication is vital to the success of the organization because it empowers individuals and gives them ownership in the vision. Encourage individuals to share ideas, acknowledge innovation, and support creativity.

My Thoughts…continued Expect creative solutions: Compromise is great in some circumstances but creative solutions that align with the mission and vision of the organization can bring people together and resolve disagreements so that they don’t arise again. Seek diversity: Don’t demand that everyone agree with you or that your way is the only way. Celebrate the uniqueness of individuals and harness the power of diversity. Open boundaries while maintaining separations: Form partnerships that move the organization forward. Look for opportunities to share ideas, to collaborate, and to serve the best interests of the public.

Resources Germano, M. (2010.) Leadership style and organizational impact. Retrieved from: http://ala-apa.org/newsletter/2010/06/08/spotlight/ Kouzes, J. and Posner, B. (2007). The leadership challenge, 4th Ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Mindtools (2014). The cultural web: Aligning your organizations culture with strategy. Retrieved from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_90.htm Mindtools (2014). Leadership styles: Choosing the right approach. Retrieved from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm Schein, E.H. (2004). Organizational culture and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Stoner, J. (2012). 12 Things collaborative leaders do. Retrieved from: http://seapointcenter.com/what-collaborative-leaders-do/