Moving Up From Within

Pixey Anne MosleyAssociate Dean for Administrative & Faculty

ServicesTexas A&M University Libraries

My Career at Texas A&M University5/1995 – Assistant Instructional Librarian2/1996 – Coordinator of Instructional Services11/1999 – Head of Access Services

2004 – 3 additional operational units added to responsibilities

5/2009 – Head of Collection Support Services (consisted of cataloging & shelving operations)

11/2010 – Interim Director of Honor System Office“Borrowed” by Provost’s Office for 7 months

6/2011 – Interim AD for Administrative & Faculty Services

9/2013 – AD for Administrative & Faculty Services

Why Take This Path…May not be in a position to easily relocate

Dual career concernsWanting to be near familyLike the communityRelocating can be expensive

Institutional investment…want to be a part of positive growth and change at a particular institution

Getting StartedTell somebody you are interested in leadership or

administrative opportunities or listen when they say you have “potential”

Take ownership of YOUR leadership developmentEngage on committee/team activitiesTake advantage of learning opportunitiesSeek out effective mentoring

Be open to consider a “winding” road in accepting appointments or seeking out opportunities Can be more difficult to go straight up within a unit

than gaining administrative experience in a new area

Appointment or Application?Have done both…Internal Administrative Appointment (no

search or posting process)Less stressful as a processMay face doubts from others about

qualifications and being the bestLeaves one vulnerable to perceived favoritismUsually does not allow as much room for

negotiation of terms (salary increases, more positions, perks, etc.)

Appointment or Application?Internal Candidate in Application/Search

processHigher stress level with more at riskCan work for or against you…depending on

history and baggageProvides external validation of being the “best”Better position for salary negotiation if

successfulCan be difficult to re-engage effectively at a

local level if not chosen…must get past sense of “perceived failure” and “what now?”

May want to have a “Plan B” strategy

Challenges to Expect Moving UpIndividual relationships HAVE to change

No longer just “peers” or “friends”Confidentiality can become a divisive factor

May be exposed to personnel decision detailsLearn of important issues before they can be

made publicLetting go of “old” responsibilities

Trusting replacement to take new focus/directionsNot micromanaging old area

Elephant memories make it harder to grow

Tips To Successful TransitionAcknowledge your strengths and weaknesses

and consider their impact on future advancement

Try to establish boundaries between personal & professional relationshipsRequires buy in from others to respect

boundariesDevelop outside interests away from work

Be willing to be self-reflective and question your assumptions, actions, or decisions and be open to changing your position

Tips to Successful Transition…cont.Anticipate fallout from misunderstood

intentionsBe aware of the price that can come with hard

decisions and being perceived as having ‘gone to the dark side’

Let yourself be humanYou will make mistakesSome days as an administrator will be incredibly

frustrating even in your “dream” jobFocus on emotional and physical health/fitness

in managing stress or isolation

Presentation Title

Subtitle

Moving Up:It’s Now or Never

Paula SullengerAssociate Dean for Information Resources

June 27, 2015

Auburn University• Serials Cataloger – 1992-1997• Serials Acquisitions Librarian – 1997-2006• Interim Head, Acquisitions Dept – 2006• Head, Acquisitions Dept – 2007-2010• Head, Elec Resources & Serials – 2011-2014

Appointments – no competitive searches

• Public Service experience• University Senate & Faculty committees• Secretary Auburn University Senate – 2003-2004

Focused Search

• Direct report to Dean/Director• Responsibilities: mix of areas of strength PLUS at least one new, unfamiliar area

• Institution type/size• Geographical location and cost of living

• Emphasized non-Technical Services experience

Interviews

• Interview experience – one in 1992

• After notified that I didn’t get the offer:

Asked for and received feedback -

Did I make any glaring errors?

What did I do wrong that I can fix?

Helpful Books

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There Marshall Goldsmith• The First 90 Days in Government

Peter Daly & Michael Watkins• Creating Public Value

Mark H. Moore

On the New Job

Advantages of coming from outside:• Clean slate• People assumed I knew what I was doing

Disadvantages:• Institutional history vs. Newbie• Backlog of old issues• Physical separation from my units

Admin suite vs. In the trenches

On the New Job

• Met with my units• Listening tours with other units

Extremely valuable – this is what really helped me set my agenda

Moving Around to Move Up

Carmelita Pickett

Associate University Librarian for Collections & Scholarly Communications

June 27, 2015

Career Path

• Reference/Interlibrary Loan Assistant, North Carolina Central University 1997-1999

• Rapid Cataloger and Circulation Manager for Public Documents & Maps Department, Duke University 1999-2000

• Humanities Librarian, University California Santa Barbara 2000-2003

• American Studies Librarian, Texas A&M University 2003-2005

• African American Studies & Research Archivist, Emory University 2005-2008

• Director of Collection Development Operations & Acquisitions Services, Texas A&M University 2008-2014

• Associate University Librarian for Collections & Scholarly Communications 2014 - present

Crossroads

• How to determine what’s next?

• Where are the opportunities?

• Networks

• ARL Leadership & Career Development Program

Middle Management

• Broad range of responsibilities

• Build leadership skills

• Embrace challenges

• Develop a support network

Search Process

• Set realistic goals

• Be honest

• “Baggage” no one wants to hear it

• Understand what position will offer the best opportunity

• Seek counsel from trusted colleagues

Decision Time

• Don’t talk yourself into a position

• Make sure you have no lingering questions

• Weigh the pros and cons

• Acknowledge that there is no perfect place

• Networks

New Job, New City, New Opportunities

• Set realistic expectations

• Listen

• Acknowledge your state of mind

• Be patient

• Don’t make promises

• Community…Build it

Resources

• Gunsalus, C K. The College Administrator's Survival Guide. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2006.

• Jamison, Kaleel. The Nibble Theory and the Kernel of Power: A Book About Leadership, Self-Empowerment, and Personal Growth. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.

• Bolman, Lee G, and Terrence E. Deal. Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership., 2013.

Questions