The question: What, in your opinion, are the elements (attributes, ingredients) of an excellent...
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Transcript of The question: What, in your opinion, are the elements (attributes, ingredients) of an excellent...
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. Don’t combine ideas into lists or long sentences.•Write clearly so others can read your answers.•Post.
Meet Me in the MiddleA workshop with George Needham and Joan Frye Williams
OLA Superconference – February 2, 2011
It’s not your job (or anyone else’s) to make everyone happy
Or to get everyone to like you
Management ≠ Control
Beyond the desk schedule
• Make your library more effective
• Make your boss more effective
• Make your staff more effective
What makes group work successful?
• Take five Post-It notes• Think of a successful project you’ve 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!
Manage the environment
Clear expectations
Tools, not rules
Civility
Empathy
Focus
Accountability
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
“A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.”
John Le Carré
Manage communications
Honesty up, honesty down
Enough with the eye roll!
“Here’s what’s in it for you…”
Communicating bad news
• Be empathetic• Don’t delay• Stick to the facts• No sugar coating• No “sandwiching”• Link to principles
Speaking truth to power
Handlingrumors
The classic objections
It will never work We tried that in 1997 and it was a disaster Our patrons/member libraries/board won’t like it It will take too much time We can’t afford it We can’t do it without more staff It means throwing away all the work we’ve done You can’t prove it’s any better than what we have This isn’t why I came to work here
How can we…
Extra credit: Translate the code words
Loyalty up, loyalty down
Loyalty across, too
A voice, a vote, or a veto?
Beware of “yes men and women”
Assume responsibility for solutions
Avoid binary thinking
Treat exceptions as exceptions
Consensus
The process was fair.I understood the decision criteria.There was an opportunity for my voice
to be heard.Even if the direction isn’t exactly what I
would have chosen, I will support it fairly in my communications and actions.
Extra credit:Look for patterns
and anticipate needs
Manage relationships
Working with colleagues
Working with partners
Working with mentors
Don’t let it be lonely at the top
Overcome the urge to hide
Extra credit: Infiltrate non-library groups
Manage results
Cultivate continuous improvement
Prepare for success
Motivating yourselfand others
Overcoming resistance
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
Neutralizing the pit dwellers
Extra credit: Leverage mistakes
How can you help your staff learn from mistakes?
• What can you do?
• What questions can you ask?
The top manager’s responsibility
The middle manager’s responsibility
The staff member’s responsibility
When in doubt, choose…
Simplicity
Generosity
Flexibility
Urgency
Trust
Fun
Show the passion!
Signs that you’re on the right track
• You care deeply about what you’re 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
Don’t forget what we said about not trying to make everyone happy!
Let’s continue the conversationE-mail [email protected] http://georgeandjoan.com