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Leadership from any position

Lynley StoneThe Information Workshop

LIANZA Leadership Facilitator

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Outline

• Overview of the LIANZA Emerging Leaders project

• Understand that we are all leaders• Leadership strategies that can be used by all

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OVERVIEW OF THE LIANZA EMERGING LEADERS PROJECT

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Strengthening the Profession

• Brand Libraries : Developing a strong library brand directed at key decision makers

• Future Skills: Identifying the future skills that will be required by librarians and ensure training needs are addressed

• Emerging Leaders: Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging leaders within the profession

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Emerging Leaders Working Party

Primary Outcome: For there to be an ongoing supply of library and information service leaders

– capable and ready to lead both their organisations and the sector into the future

Cath Sheard, Christine Busby, Jo Prince, Paul Neilsen, Philip Calvert, Sue Weddell

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Lynley Stone, Leadership Facilitator

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Emerging Leaders Project

Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging

leaders within the profession

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Emerging Leaders Project

Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging

leaders within the profession

• a long term strategy for LIANZA• affordable for participants and LIANZA • ongoing support

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Emerging Leaders Project

Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging

leaders within the profession

• define and increase understanding • self awareness and self identification• help others identify leaders

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Emerging Leaders Project

Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging leaders

within the profession

• many forms of leadership• ability develop over time• best practice skills + personal experience + self

awareness• provide support on this journey

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Emerging Leaders Project

Developing a sustainable system of identifying and developing emerging

leaders within the profession

Everybody has the potential to be a leader in the profession

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YOU are a

leader!

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Who are Emerging Leaders?

All of us are leaders:• our current leaders at all levels• people who are developing leadership skills• people who don’t realise they are leaders yet

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Emerging Leaders Strategies

Online CDP Course

Resource Portal

OnWebsite

Resources to define, support &

develop

LIANZA Emerging Leadership Programme

Region & SIG ideas

LIANZAStatement

on Leadership

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LIANZA Statement on LeadershipLIANZA acknowledges that there is an urgent need to identify and develop future leaders in the library and information profession. LIANZA is committed to fostering and encouraging future leaders.

LIANZA supports emerging leaders through a number of channels, and at a number of stages throughout their career.

LIANZA believes that:

1. There are distinct differences between the roles of managers and leaders.

2. Leaders can come from anywhere in an organisation and may not necessarily hold senior positions.

3. Leadership competencies such as adaptability, self-awareness, strategic thinking and ability to network are vital. These may sit outside traditional core LIS skills.

4. Librarians should be supported to develop leadership skills by their profession, employer and colleagues.

5. The Library and information profession has a responsibility to recognise and encourage emerging leaders. LIANZA recognizes that this may attract a cost, both financial and in terms of time, however LIANZA believes that it is critical to develop leadership skills.

6. Opportunities to foster and develop leadership skills will be provided by LIANZA in a range of formats and delivery modes to ensure that a range of library and information professionals are able to engage, regardless of physical location, domestic situation and organisation.

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Any Questions?

• Watch Library Life for announcements• Be part of the conversation

lynley@informationworkshop.com

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LEAD FROM ANY POSITION?

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Different approaches to leadership

• Strategic vision• Managerial control• Supervision of routine activity• Leading by example• Project management• Roles within teams• Organising social activities• Sharing information• Having ideas and taking initiative• Taking responsibility• Being part of things

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Barriers to workplace leadership

• hierarchical structures and attitudes• top down planning and decision making• time, budget or other resource constraints• focus on process rather than outcomes• apathy or resistance from people towards change• silo thinking • not having a legitimate leader role in a situation,

and holding back

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Different contexts of leadership• Strategic vision• Managerial control• Supervision of routine activity• Leading by example• Project management• Roles within teams• Organising social activities• Sharing information• Having ideas and taking

initiative• Taking responsibility• Being part of things

• In the work team• In the whole library• In the wider organisation• In the professional

associations• In the community• In social situations• In family situations• In a crisis• In your own development

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LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE USED BY ALL

“when opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare” John Wooden, Basketball coach

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Get involved in things

• Volunteer, offer to help, suggest an idea, apply for places on committees and project groups, seek secondments, etc.

• Learn new skills• See bigger picture• Build personal networks• Develop self confidence

“Take and make opportunities”

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Know yourself

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See things from other people’s points of view – it’s about US not ME

• Do the right thing• It’s not about what you want• Think how can you

– help your team– support your boss– give better service to your users– contribute to the strategic objectives of the organisation

• Analyse problems, and present solutions or strategies

“the way we handle the workflow around the returns bin seems awkward to me – could we have a look at it and see

if we could do it differently?”

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Build and manage your relationships

• Build relationships across hierarchy• See people as human, not positions• Understand different personality and

communication styles• Learn to network• Understand what is important to them• Be open, listen, learn, share

“Communicate communicate communicate”

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Use Process and Learn Skills

• Clear focus on problem/task

• Communicate the vision• Gain support and

resources• Support and empower

followers

• Project management• Communication skills• Political skills• Hearts and minds

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Learn more about Leadership

• Read!• Be part of the LIANZA Leadership Strategy and use

the courses and resources we are developing• Develop related skills e.g. public speaking, self

assertion• Talk with leaders • Observe what others are doing• Take leadership opportunities• Reflect on your learning

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In Summary - Work Smart

• 80% of your effectiveness comes from 20% of your effort

• Something small, quick and easy can make a huge difference

• Consult with users to find out what they really need

• Brainstorm problems with colleagues to get creative ideas

• Ensure strategic alignment• Focus on a job and finish it

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Last Words

• We are all leaders, in many different ways• Leadership is about making things happen• Leadership skills and confidence come with

experience and self awareness• Learn about leadership • Get involved, make things happen• Believe in yourself• Together, let’s build a strong future for libraries in

Aotearoa!