discover the leader in you

Discover the Leader in Discover the Leader in You!You!

Developing and Realizing your Developing and Realizing your Leadership PotentialLeadership Potential

InstructorsInstructors

Laurie Scott, Health Science Information Laurie Scott, Health Science Information Consortium of TorontoConsortium of Toronto

Daniel Phelan, Ryerson UniversityDaniel Phelan, Ryerson University Wayne Glover, AssociationsFirstWayne Glover, AssociationsFirst

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionsIntroductions Perceptions of LeadershipPerceptions of Leadership Leadership DefinedLeadership Defined Personal Leadership TraitsPersonal Leadership Traits Leadership PotentialLeadership Potential BREAKBREAK

Agenda, continuedAgenda, continued

Taking on a Leadership Role in Taking on a Leadership Role in Professional AssociationsProfessional Associations

Leadership Institutes & ProgramsLeadership Institutes & Programs Personal Action PlanPersonal Action Plan Perceptions of Leadership RevisitedPerceptions of Leadership Revisited Wrap-up and EvaluationsWrap-up and Evaluations

IntroductionsIntroductions

Please tell us your Please tell us your name, where you name, where you work, how long you work, how long you have been in the have been in the library/information library/information profession, and what profession, and what you hope to get from you hope to get from this workshop.this workshop.

At the end of this workshop you At the end of this workshop you will:will:

Know how leadership is defined and Know how leadership is defined and discussed in the literature;discussed in the literature;

Know how you can take on leadership Know how you can take on leadership roles in your own life;roles in your own life;

Know how to develop your own leadership Know how to develop your own leadership skills;skills;

Understand the role of leadership in team Understand the role of leadership in team work;work;

At the end of this workshop you At the end of this workshop you will:will:

Know how participation in professional Know how participation in professional associations can help with your leadership associations can help with your leadership skills development;skills development;

Know what leadership institutes and Know what leadership institutes and programs exist for librarians and whether programs exist for librarians and whether they would be right for you.they would be right for you.

What You’ll Take AwayWhat You’ll Take Away

PowerPoint slidesPowerPoint slides BibliographyBibliography Checklist of Checklist of

leadership qualitiesleadership qualities List of leadership List of leadership

institutes/programsinstitutes/programs Your personal action Your personal action

planplan But not…But not…

Great LeadersGreat Leaders

Sir Winston Churchill – Was he a Sir Winston Churchill – Was he a great leader?great leader?

Perceptions of LeadershipPerceptions of Leadership

Who are some people you would identify Who are some people you would identify as great leaders?as great leaders?

Public figures, personal acquaintances; Public figures, personal acquaintances; present day or historical.present day or historical.

What do you think makes them great What do you think makes them great leaders?leaders?

Perceptions of LeadershipPerceptions of Leadership

The following slide shows individuals who The following slide shows individuals who may or may not be considered great may or may not be considered great leaders.leaders.

What do you think?What do you think? Are they great leaders, or not? Why, why Are they great leaders, or not? Why, why

not?not?

Great Leaders?Great Leaders?

OprahOprah Pierre TrudeauPierre Trudeau René LévesqueRené Lévesque Bill & Melinda GatesBill & Melinda Gates BonoBono Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher

Tony BlairTony Blair Stephen AbramStephen Abram Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela Michaëlle JeanMichaëlle Jean Rudy GiulianiRudy Giuliani

When You Were a ChildWhen You Were a Child

I’ll bet that most of you played a game I’ll bet that most of you played a game called “Follow the Leader”called “Follow the Leader”

Were you the ‘leader’ or ‘one of the Were you the ‘leader’ or ‘one of the followers’ ?followers’ ?

What do you remember (if anything) about What do you remember (if anything) about this game ?this game ?

How to Play ‘Follow the Leader’How to Play ‘Follow the Leader’

First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, then all children line up behind the then all children line up behind the leaderleader..

The leader then moves around and all the The leader then moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader's actions.children have to mimic the leader's actions.

Players who mess up or do not do what the Players who mess up or do not do what the leader does are out of the game.leader does are out of the game.

The last person standing other than the leader is The last person standing other than the leader is now the new leader.now the new leader.

What you Learned About What you Learned About Leadership from the GameLeadership from the Game

There has to be a leaderThere has to be a leader The leader must be chosenThe leader must be chosen There must be followersThere must be followers Those who follow must mimic the leaderThose who follow must mimic the leader

What you Learned About What you Learned About Leadership from the GameLeadership from the Game

Those who do not mimic the leader are left Those who do not mimic the leader are left behindbehind

A new leader always emerges at the end A new leader always emerges at the end of the gameof the game

The cycle continuesThe cycle continues Do you think all of these lessons are Do you think all of these lessons are

true?true?

Leadership DefinedLeadership Defined

In its simplest form leadership is the In its simplest form leadership is the capacity or ability to leadcapacity or ability to lead. .

To lead is to either To lead is to either get in front to show get in front to show people the waypeople the way or to or to go along with themgo along with them..


In any case, the leader always takes an In any case, the leader always takes an active roleactive role in making something happen in making something happen with others with others

The others are referred to as followersThe others are referred to as followers

Leaders need followersLeaders need followers

Not everyone can be a leader in every Not everyone can be a leader in every situationsituation

It is not always necessary, but leaders It is not always necessary, but leaders have probably been followers firsthave probably been followers first

Some people do not have the desire or the Some people do not have the desire or the qualities to be leadersqualities to be leaders


Followers fulfill very Followers fulfill very important functions important functions and they need their and they need their leaders to have leaders to have certain qualitiescertain qualities


What followers expect:What followers expect: HonestyHonesty CompetenceCompetence Forward-looking attitudesForward-looking attitudes InspirationInspiration

These create credibilityThese create credibility

Kouzes and PosnerKouzes and Posner


Some three hundred and fifty definitions of Some three hundred and fifty definitions of “leadership” have been generated over the “leadership” have been generated over the last thirty years by leadership researchers last thirty years by leadership researchers

Some say leadership is merely “coping Some say leadership is merely “coping with change” with change”


Others point to being visionary or vision-Others point to being visionary or vision-oriented as the most important quality of a oriented as the most important quality of a leader leader

The “wise use of power” is another partial The “wise use of power” is another partial definitiondefinition


One leadership scholar and guru, Warren One leadership scholar and guru, Warren Bennis, has identified several aspects of Bennis, has identified several aspects of leaders in business terms. leaders in business terms. A guiding visionA guiding vision PassionPassion IntegrityIntegrity TrustTrust Curiosity Curiosity DaringDaring

Characteristics of LeadersCharacteristics of Leaders

Agents of changeAgents of change Apostles of hopeApostles of hope Good listenersGood listeners Coaches and Coaches and

teachersteachers DecisiveDecisive

Characteristics of LeadersCharacteristics of Leaders

Risk-takersRisk-takers Enforce standardsEnforce standards TenaciousTenacious Results-orientedResults-oriented


Are leaders born or made?Are leaders born or made? Early studies assumed leaders were Early studies assumed leaders were

born but none of these studies was born but none of these studies was conclusiveconclusive

If leader If leader areare born, then leadership born, then leadership training is meaningless!training is meaningless!


Are leaders born or made ?Are leaders born or made ? If leaders are made, then theoretically anyone If leaders are made, then theoretically anyone

can be a leadercan be a leader The truth probably lies in between – leaders The truth probably lies in between – leaders

are probably born with the are probably born with the aptitudeaptitude but need but need guidance and nurturingguidance and nurturing to realize their to realize their leadership potentialleadership potential

Similar to great singers or athletes, who are Similar to great singers or athletes, who are born with a gift, but need to develop itborn with a gift, but need to develop it

Is leadership the same as Is leadership the same as management ?management ?

Generally leaders have traits that make Generally leaders have traits that make them good managersthem good managers

But good managers may not be great But good managers may not be great leaders – why might that be?leaders – why might that be?

Similarly, a visionary person may have the Similarly, a visionary person may have the charisma of a leader, but have no ability charisma of a leader, but have no ability as a manageras a manager


It is not essential to be a manager to be a It is not essential to be a manager to be a leaderleader

One can be a leader from the ranksOne can be a leader from the ranks Indeed leaders can be found at all levels Indeed leaders can be found at all levels

of organizations and groupsof organizations and groups

Leadership & TeamworkLeadership & Teamwork

What is the role of leaders in team work?What is the role of leaders in team work? In some instances, creating the team or In some instances, creating the team or

introducing members to each other introducing members to each other Clearly defining Clearly defining responsibilitiesresponsibilities Developing communications guidelinesDeveloping communications guidelines Identifying a conflict resolution mechanismIdentifying a conflict resolution mechanism

Leadership & TeamworkLeadership & Teamwork

Encouraging an open exchange of Encouraging an open exchange of ideasideas during team creation during team creation

Creating a shared purpose, direction and Creating a shared purpose, direction and goalsgoals

Providing detailed and timely feedback Providing detailed and timely feedback


““The manager does things right; the leader The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.”does the right thing.”

Warren BennisWarren Bennis

The “Tasks of Leadership”The “Tasks of Leadership”

Envisioning goalsEnvisioning goals Affirming valuesAffirming values MotivatingMotivating Managing (priorities, decisions & systems)Managing (priorities, decisions & systems) Achieving workable unityAchieving workable unity

The “Tasks of Leadership”The “Tasks of Leadership”

Explaining and teachingExplaining and teaching Serving as a symbolServing as a symbol Representing the groupRepresenting the group RenewingRenewing

Leadership PotentialLeadership Potential

How can you determine your own How can you determine your own leadership potential?leadership potential?

Personal Leadership TraitsPersonal Leadership Traits

Using the provided check list, take 10 minutes to Using the provided check list, take 10 minutes to reflect on your own leadership traits – the reflect on your own leadership traits – the qualities you have that would make you a good qualities you have that would make you a good leader, and those that you think might make leader, and those that you think might make leadership difficult for you.leadership difficult for you.

There may be other qualities you think are There may be other qualities you think are important that are not on the checklist.important that are not on the checklist.

Grade yourself from 1 – 10 on each quality.Grade yourself from 1 – 10 on each quality. You may share these with the group, or keep You may share these with the group, or keep

them private.them private.

Personal Leadership TraitsPersonal Leadership Traits

What qualities of leadership were not on What qualities of leadership were not on the checklist?the checklist?

Leadership & Professional Leadership & Professional AssociationsAssociations

Participation in Participation in professional professional associations is a associations is a great way to develop great way to develop leadership abilities.leadership abilities.

There are many There are many different ways to different ways to participate, and a participate, and a wide variety of wide variety of associations.associations.


What reasons might people have for not What reasons might people have for not participating?participating?


Reasons we hear for Reasons we hear for not taking on not taking on leadership activities leadership activities in associations:in associations:

1.1. I don’t have enough I don’t have enough timetime

2.2. It’s a lot of work and It’s a lot of work and responsibilityresponsibility


Reasons we hear for not taking on Reasons we hear for not taking on leadership activities in associations:leadership activities in associations:

3.3. I don’t have anything to offer; other people I don’t have anything to offer; other people are more qualified to serve than I amare more qualified to serve than I am

4.4. I’m uncomfortable expressing my opinion in I’m uncomfortable expressing my opinion in publicpublic

5.5. It costs a lot of moneyIt costs a lot of money


1.1. I don’t have enough I don’t have enough time.time.

Everyone is pressed for Everyone is pressed for time, but remember that time, but remember that even the busiest people even the busiest people participate.participate.

Negotiate with your Negotiate with your employer for the time employer for the time needed. After all, this is needed. After all, this is your professional your professional development and it development and it makes you a better makes you a better employee.employee.


1.1. I don’t have enough time.I don’t have enough time. Choose an activity that fits with the time you Choose an activity that fits with the time you

have. E.g. writing an article (working at have. E.g. writing an article (working at times that are best for you such as times that are best for you such as evenings) may be better than serving on a evenings) may be better than serving on a committee that meets at specific times.committee that meets at specific times.


2.2. It’s a lot of work and It’s a lot of work and responsibility.responsibility.

Yes, it is! But it’s Yes, it is! But it’s also a great also a great opportunity for opportunity for professional and professional and personal growth.personal growth.

It’s also fun – which It’s also fun – which makes it feel less like makes it feel less like work.work.


2.2. It’s a lot of work and responsibility.It’s a lot of work and responsibility. Taking on responsibility is an important Taking on responsibility is an important

leadership trait.leadership trait. It is very rewarding to see the fruits of your It is very rewarding to see the fruits of your

labour, and the impact you can have as a labour, and the impact you can have as a leader.leader.


3.3. I don’t have anything I don’t have anything to offer; others are to offer; others are better qualifiedbetter qualified

Don’t sell yourself Don’t sell yourself short!short!

Everyone has Everyone has qualities, skills or qualities, skills or knowledge that they knowledge that they can contribute.can contribute.


3.3. I don’t have anything to offer; others are I don’t have anything to offer; others are better qualifiedbetter qualified

Long-time members of the profession have Long-time members of the profession have experience and knowledge of the “big experience and knowledge of the “big picture” to share.picture” to share.

Newer members have a fresh outlook on Newer members have a fresh outlook on issues and new skills.issues and new skills.


3.3. I don’t have anything to offer; others are I don’t have anything to offer; others are better qualifiedbetter qualified

Behind the scenes work is as important as Behind the scenes work is as important as that directly in the public eye.that directly in the public eye.

You can start small and work your way up.You can start small and work your way up.


4.4. I’m uncomfortable I’m uncomfortable expressing my expressing my opinion in public.opinion in public.

This common anxiety This common anxiety cancan be overcome! be overcome!

Take a course on Take a course on public speaking, join public speaking, join Toastmasters or a Toastmasters or a similar group.similar group.


4.4. I’m uncomfortable expressing my opinion I’m uncomfortable expressing my opinion in public.in public.

Practice with people you’re comfortable with.Practice with people you’re comfortable with. Good preparation – knowing your stuff – is Good preparation – knowing your stuff – is

key to developing confidence.key to developing confidence. The more you work with a group of people, The more you work with a group of people,

the easier it becomes to express your the easier it becomes to express your opinion.opinion.

You develop a comfort level with them.You develop a comfort level with them.


4.4. I’m uncomfortable I’m uncomfortable expressing my expressing my opinion in public.opinion in public.

If you are passionate If you are passionate about something, you about something, you will will wantwant to speak up. to speak up. No one will be able No one will be able to hold you back!to hold you back!


5.5. It costs a lot of It costs a lot of money.money.

It’s a sad fact that It’s a sad fact that many people don’t many people don’t have institutional have institutional financial support to financial support to participate.participate.


5.5. It costs a lot of It costs a lot of money.money.

Negotiate with your Negotiate with your employer!employer!

Professional Professional development is a development is a shared responsibility shared responsibility between employee between employee and employer.and employer.


5.5. It costs a lot of money.It costs a lot of money. You may need to choose a single You may need to choose a single

association in which to belong and association in which to belong and participate, and pay for the membership participate, and pay for the membership yourself.yourself.

Consider it an investment in yourself.Consider it an investment in yourself. Some volunteer positions come with Some volunteer positions come with

financial support for conference attendance.financial support for conference attendance.


Personal Reasons to Participate:Personal Reasons to Participate:1.1. Learning about yourself – personal Learning about yourself – personal

developmentdevelopment

2.2. Networking – forming useful relationships Networking – forming useful relationships and friendshipsand friendships

3.3. Giving back to the professionGiving back to the profession

4.4. Résumé buildingRésumé building

5.5. Raising your profile in your own institutionRaising your profile in your own institution


1.1. Learning about yourselfLearning about yourself When you participate in a professional When you participate in a professional

association, you can be surprised at what association, you can be surprised at what you can accomplish and the skills you have.you can accomplish and the skills you have.

Participation is a great way to further Participation is a great way to further develop your potential.develop your potential.


2.2. NetworkingNetworking Spending time with Spending time with

your colleagues and your colleagues and working on projects working on projects together helps you to together helps you to develop greater develop greater knowledge of issues knowledge of issues and professional and professional practice.practice.

You develop your You develop your personal “Rolodex” of personal “Rolodex” of go-to people.go-to people.


2.2. NetworkingNetworking You can make You can make

wonderful friendships wonderful friendships that last a lifetime.that last a lifetime.


3.3. Giving back to the professionGiving back to the profession Your profession has been good to you and Your profession has been good to you and

you have the ability to contribute in return.you have the ability to contribute in return. You can mentor younger/newer members of You can mentor younger/newer members of

the profession.the profession.


3.3. Giving back to the professionGiving back to the profession You can take on a leadership position and You can take on a leadership position and

help move the profession forward. E.g. help move the profession forward. E.g. CHLA/ABSC Task Force on Standards.CHLA/ABSC Task Force on Standards.


4.4. Résumé buildingRésumé building It’s OK to have It’s OK to have

personal motivations personal motivations for participating!for participating!

Employers like to see Employers like to see participation in participation in professional professional associations.associations.


4.4. Résumé buildingRésumé building Through networking, you may hear about Through networking, you may hear about

job opportunities.job opportunities. Professional colleagues may act as Professional colleagues may act as

references.references.


5.5. Raising your profile in your own institution.Raising your profile in your own institution. If you serve in a professional association, give a paper, are If you serve in a professional association, give a paper, are

elected to office, elected to office, be sure your non-library colleagues know be sure your non-library colleagues know about it!about it!

An institutional newsletter, intranet or blog are a few An institutional newsletter, intranet or blog are a few possibilities.possibilities.

Volunteer to report on your activities in meetings.Volunteer to report on your activities in meetings.


What other reasons are there to What other reasons are there to participate in your professional participate in your professional associations?associations?


Associations:Associations: CHLA/ABSC (and chapters)CHLA/ABSC (and chapters) SLA (notably, the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division; local chapters)SLA (notably, the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division; local chapters) MLA (and local chapters)MLA (and local chapters) CLA / CASLISCLA / CASLIS ALA / ACRL / LITA / LAMAALA / ACRL / LITA / LAMA Provincial associations (e.g. APHLA, OLA, BCLA)Provincial associations (e.g. APHLA, OLA, BCLA)


Ways to participate:Ways to participate: Choose the association(s) you want to be a Choose the association(s) you want to be a

part of.part of. Talk to members and officers of the Talk to members and officers of the

association for guidance and information on association for guidance and information on opportunities to serve.opportunities to serve.

They will be more than happy to talk to you.They will be more than happy to talk to you.


Ways to participate:Ways to participate: Volunteer to serve on a committee or task Volunteer to serve on a committee or task

force.force. Take the job no one else wants.Take the job no one else wants. Volunteer to organize a local event.Volunteer to organize a local event.


Ways to participate:Ways to participate: Write an article for a Write an article for a

journal (e.g. JCHLA or journal (e.g. JCHLA or JMLA) or newsletter JMLA) or newsletter (e.g. local chapter) or (e.g. local chapter) or other association other association publication (e.g. publication (e.g. Information Outlook).Information Outlook).

Write book reviews.Write book reviews.


Ways to participate.Ways to participate. Apply to be your Apply to be your

association’s web association’s web master or journal master or journal editor. editor.

Run for office – Run for office – chapter level, national chapter level, national level (CHLA/ABSC), level (CHLA/ABSC), international level (e.g. international level (e.g. SLA, MLA).SLA, MLA).


A Final Word:A Final Word: Taking on a leadership Taking on a leadership

role in a professional role in a professional association is richly association is richly rewarding.rewarding.

You will receive far You will receive far more from more from participating than you participating than you will put into it.will put into it.

Case StudiesCase Studies

Using the case studies in the handout, in Using the case studies in the handout, in small groups discuss how you, as a small groups discuss how you, as a leader, would deal with each scenarioleader, would deal with each scenario

One case per groupOne case per group

Case StudiesCase Studies

What did your group decide to do?What did your group decide to do?

Leadership Institutes & ProgramsLeadership Institutes & Programs

Library Leadership InstitutesLibrary Leadership Institutes Frye InstituteFrye Institute ACRL/Harvard InstituteACRL/Harvard Institute Snowbird InstituteSnowbird Institute Northern Exposure to Leadership InstituteNorthern Exposure to Leadership Institute Synergy: the Illinois Library Leadership Synergy: the Illinois Library Leadership

InitiativeInitiative


Library Leadership InstitutesLibrary Leadership Institutes MPLA Leadership InstituteMPLA Leadership Institute Library Leadership OhioLibrary Leadership Ohio New Jersey Academy of Library LeadershipNew Jersey Academy of Library Leadership TALL Texans Leadership Development InstituteTALL Texans Leadership Development Institute Wyoming Library Leadership InstituteWyoming Library Leadership Institute YSLead MassachusettsYSLead Massachusetts


Library Leadership InstitutesLibrary Leadership InstitutesWhy are there no provincial Why are there no provincial

leadership institutes in Canada?leadership institutes in Canada?Should there be?Should there be?How can it be brought about?How can it be brought about?


Non-library Leadership ProgramsNon-library Leadership Programs Niagara InstituteNiagara Institute Programs provided internally in your Programs provided internally in your

organizationorganization Local universities – especially business Local universities – especially business

schoolsschools

Personal Action PlanPersonal Action Plan

Take 10 minutes to write down at least 3 Take 10 minutes to write down at least 3 things you are going to do when you get things you are going to do when you get back to work to develop your leadership back to work to develop your leadership skills and/or take on a leadership role.skills and/or take on a leadership role.

Consider the Leadership Qualities Consider the Leadership Qualities checklist and your “needs improvement” checklist and your “needs improvement” categories.categories.

Include a brief action plan for each item.Include a brief action plan for each item.

Personal Action PlanPersonal Action Plan

Would anyone like to share aspects of Would anyone like to share aspects of their personal action plans?their personal action plans?

Perceptions of LeadershipPerceptions of Leadership Re-Visited Re-Visited

Think of all the people identified at the Think of all the people identified at the beginning of this workshop as being great beginning of this workshop as being great leaders (or not).leaders (or not).

Do you still agree with your original Do you still agree with your original assessments?assessments?

Why, or why not?Why, or why not?

Great Leaders?Great Leaders?

OprahOprah Pierre TrudeauPierre Trudeau René LévesqueRené Lévesque Bill & Melinda GatesBill & Melinda Gates BonoBono Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher

Tony BlairTony Blair Stephen AbramStephen Abram Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela Michaëlle JeanMichaëlle Jean Rudy GiulianiRudy Giuliani

Did We Meet Your Objectives?Did We Meet Your Objectives?

Discover the Leader in Discover the Leader in You!You!

Questions?Questions?

Wrap-up & EvaluationsWrap-up & Evaluations

Please complete the course evaluation.Please complete the course evaluation. We will be happy to discuss your personal We will be happy to discuss your personal

action plans by email.action plans by email.

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

[email protected]@utoronto.ca [email protected]@ryerson.ca [email protected]@associationsfirst.com

discover the leader in you

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