Leaders encourage others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. They lead teams to transform objectives into achievements, and that same powerful force is at work in our community libraries. In this blog post, we'll uncover lessons that two great library directors in my area have to teach about leadership.
We can learn a lot from leaders in different fields from our own.
The challenges they face and the way they influence their teams can inspire us.
Mike Kirk is the Galion Public Library Director and Stephanie Buchanan is the Bucyrus Public Library Director. Here are some of the fantastic leadership lessons that they shared with me.
#1: Leaders Are Happy To Serve.
Especially in smaller organizations, leaders must be willing to get their hands dirty and show their staff that they are in it together. As Mike puts it, he is not above sweeping the floors or cleaning restrooms. He believes that by leading by example and showing his team that no task is beneath him, he gains their respect and trust.
Leaders should never ask their staff to do something they wouldn't be willing to do themselves. This creates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
#2: Leaders Embrace the Evolution of the Organization.
Library services, much like the books they house, demand relevance and resonance with the reader. As information becomes increasingly digitized, libraries stand at a crossroads, where leadership must innovate to remain significant.
Mike told me, "If we were still doing what we were doing 50 years ago, we'd be gone. We've had to change. Years ago we used to have a reference area. Well that's almost gone. The emphasis was on nonfiction classics. Fiction wasn't even thought of. Now, we have so many other things to provide."
Great leaders read the signs of our evolving society and change their organizations to stay relevant.
Gone are the days when the librarian's role was confined to the cataloging and distribution of books. Today’s library leaders inspire their teams to be community catalysts, hosting outreach programs, tutoring services, and cultural events. Leading by example, they challenge the antiquated notions of 'quiet service' and replace them with 'loud' efforts to include all kinds of community members.
Like Stephanie said, "People are after an experience. They don't want to just come in, get a book, and leave. They want to come in and chit chat with the staff. They want to use the space that we have. They're after an experience instead of just a transaction."
#3: Leaders Develop Their Staff With An Appreciation For Their Unique Personalities And Perspectives.
A committed and motivated staff is the backbone of any successful library. Leaders who understand and prioritize the professional growth of their employees ensure that their organizations not only survive but thrive in the competitive marketplace of community resources.
All teams have a wide variety of personalities. And we need all those perspectives.
Not just the quiet ones or the loud ones. We need all of them.
In order to develop a strong and diverse team, leaders must recognize and appreciate the unique personalities and perspectives of their staff members. This means creating opportunities for professional growth based on individual strengths and interests, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
I like how Stephanie approaches her staff development. It's a simple approach and effective for her library. She told me, "All libraries have a wide variety of personalities. And we need all those perspectives. And I think as a leader [we should] pull out of people what they enjoy doing and what they're good at--even if they don't realize it. We train people to do everything. They will fill in and eventually [think], 'Oh, hey, I think that looks interesting. And that's something that I like to do.' We want people happy at work. It makes for a better environment. And then when the people come in, they sense [that they can be happy] too."
Leaders who develop their staff attract a quality workforce.
You can learn a lot about leadership from non-profit organizations like libraries because money is never the key to getting things done or attracting good workers in their world. The key is leadership that amplifies their cause and provides deeply satisfying, non-monetary rewards for the work done.
Mike put it this way, "We don't pay huge bucks like the business world, so you have to have other reasons [to work here]." Stephanie and Mike then began to tell me about some of the ways they help the community that give them fulfillment:
Giving people, who often have more stressful jobs, a quiet place to prepare and rest.
Helping people find jobs.
Giving people--especially homeless or transient people--a warm meal, a clean bathroom, or water.
Providing a space for soul-enriching community like bridge clubs and children's reading programs and crafts.
They have clarified a compelling reason for why they serve their clients and they inspire their staff to find the same fulfillment in their work.
That's leadership that increases employee engagement and customer service!
#4 Great Leaders aren't close-minded and defensive.
When I asked Stephanie what she has had to improve in her leadership over the years, she said,
"I have had to [learn how to] not be so thin-skinned about things. If people come at me with a different perspective than what I have, I need to listen to that."
She's on to something important there.
A leader who can't handle differing opinions or listen to someone's thoughts without arguing will never create unity on the team. They will divide the team with their insecure reactions to criticism or opposition.
On the other hand, a leader who is open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives will create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. This leads to better decision-making, increased innovation, and stronger teamwork.
#5 Great Leaders Communicate Clearly No Matter What Team or Organization They Lead
Leadership is leadership whether you lead a team of two or an organization of thousands. And one of the most essential skills that every leader must develop is clear communication.
Mike told me that he's been working on his communication skills throughout his library career.
"Communication is very important. Make sure the staff knows what your expectations are, and make sure everybody is on the same page. Whether [the communication is] verbal [or] whether [it's] written, just make sure people understand."
This not only sets the team up for success, but it also builds trust and respect between the leader and their team members.
Conclusion: Leadership as the Spine of the Library
Like a good book, my conversation with Mike and Stephanie unfolded as a narrative of surprising wisdom and wonder. This blog post only captured a few of their nuggets of leadership wisdom.
Let's be grateful for the dedicated leaders who inspire and innovate, guiding our cherished institutions through the delicate dance of tradition and modernity.
And let's learn from them. Every library that is led effectively to adapt and improve their communities is a story that speaks volumes of the leaders who steer the course, shaping the narratives of many of our lives.