Personal Leadership

Dominican UniversitySchool of Library & Information Science

Kathryn J. DeissAssociation of College & Research LibrariesContent Strategistkdeiss@ala.org

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Exploration of and dialogue on leadership, organizations morphing, and personal choice

Yesterday’s shape does not prefigure…

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… tomorrow’s shape

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Context for Leadership

Changing demands

Changing expectations

Societal change

Organizations in evolution

Librarianship at a dramatic pointPhoto by Noyda Mates

From leading this kind of organization…

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…to leading this kind of organization

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How do you know a leader when you see one?

Seven Views of Leadership

genetics learn

edheroic top-

onlysocial script positi

oncalling Photo by +fatman+

The Leader’s Journey to Contribution

Personal choice

Developing competence

Leading self and others in creating fantastic and amazing services

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Personal Choice vs Drift

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There are benefits and costs of leadership

Thus, making an intentional choice to lead is important

What are the benefits of leading?

What might be some of the costs?

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Leaders are…

People with vested power and responsibility

People who influence others

People who make things happen

People who shape the future

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Personal Leadership Challenges

Building competence

Discovering purpose & voice

Turning aspiration into action

Acting with credibility & integrity

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Build Leadership Competence

Understand the operationDo the quotidian work of managing

Seek teachers and mentors

Teach and mentor others

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Discover Purpose & Voice

Why are you where you are?

What are your personal values?

What do you think and why?

How do you express yourself?

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Turn Aspiration into Action

Figure out what you most deeply aspire to do as a leader

Use your inspiration to achieve your own and your organization’s goals

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Act with Credibility/Integrity

Act consistently (or explain inconsistencies!)

Deliver on responsibilities & promises

Stay centered in your values

Develop a personal ethos

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Balancing Managing and Leading

Awareness of your environment

Practice self-awareness & social-awareness

Balance plans with improvisation

Balance the strategic & the operational

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Awareness of Your Environment

Understand the organization as a system and a political entity

Keep your eyes on the horizon

Identify opportunities & act upon themPhoto by LivomoQueen

Balance plans with improvisation“That which secures us

may also sink us.”Roland Sawyer BarthCruising Rules (1998)

Use creative & prototyping methods wherever possible Photo by kelsmith1992

Balance the Strategic & the Operational

Spend as much time on strategy as on daily tasks

Help others distinguish between operational issues and strategic opportunitiesPhoto by taschen_0330

Practice Self-awareness &Social-awareness

Ask for feedback

Test your assumptions

Learn self-control

Develop and sustain relationships

Develop awareness of others Photo by joanjoyce_p

Leading Others

Tap the aspirations of others

Find ways to bridge aspirations & needsCreate room for diversity of thought & viewpoint

Look for everyday opportunities to lead & followPhoto by jaymce

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What are ways a leader can tap the aspirations of others?

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Move from controlling to facilitative leadership

Old view of leadership

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Photo by Sergey Yellseev

Shift to shared leadership

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Shift in view of followers…

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Take a few minutes to talk to the person next to you about how you view leadership now…

Optimism: a secret ingredient

Inspiring leadership depends on a positive view of the future

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To lead the new library organization

Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.

Warren Bennnis

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Photo by Leo Reynolds

Thanks everyone!Keep in touchkdeiss@ala.org