LIS 605 Library Management: Management Competencies
The following assignments on leadership and management competencies, diversity, conflict resolution, ethics, and additional principles cover crucial knowledge and skills I need to know to be a successful leader in the information profession.
Leadership and Management Competencies
I read the American Library Association's Leadership and Management Competencies and additional articles about different leadership styles. I then chose a leadership style related to several of the competencies and wrote about a hypothetical situation in a library that could be addressed by that style. I preferred the mindful leadership style, which uses mindfulness to be fully present and engaged in the moment, to improve your ability to listen, respond, innovate, manage change, and so on, as you interact with coworkers, staff, patrons, and the community.
I read Mary Wilkins Jordan's article Competencies for Public Library Managers: Diversity in Practice and watched two TED Talks: How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace by Janet Stovall and What it takes to be racially literate by Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo. I then wrote about what I can learn from these materials to be a better manager. A key takeaway from this information is to not become comfortable with current success, or you will miss opportunities to grow and better serve your community. The advice was to take action, but make your action intentional so you are addressing real problems with practical solutions. It is important to be aware that everyone has different perspectives and priorities, and to be open to learning from what people want to share with you.
Conflict Resolution, Ethics, & Confidentiality
I read articles and web pages about conflict negotiation, mediation, ethics, confidentiality, and The Equality Act. I watched Microaggressions in the Classroom produced by Focused Arts Media eDucation and found two additional articles about microaggressions in two different groups. Then I wrote about the relationship among conflict resolution, ethics, and confidentiality. A key takeaway is that there are going to be conflicts any time we work with other people, and we can use these conflicts to grow our capacity, knowledge, and skills to create a better understanding of each other and working environment.
REFLECTION
These three assignments really caused me to reflect on how I want to show up in my workplace as an employee, branch manager, library representative, and person. It is necessary to develop the skills to be a good leader, create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and navigate the challenges of the workplace and serving the public. I want to be a leader and manager who is good at doing my job, but also builds strong relationships with my director, coworkers, library staff who report to me, and patrons and the community. The Leadership and Management Competencies helped me develop theories about decision-making, delegation, and strategic planning that help me oversee library operations, guide staff, and ensure excellent customer service. As I have implemented my theories in my job as branch manager, I have learned and grown from my experiences to become a better leader and manager.
Diversity Management has helped me create an inclusive and supportive environment where library staff and patrons feel valued and respected. I can recognize and address biases, foster equity, and promote diversity in our services, policies, and programs. By understanding different cultural backgrounds, communication styles, physical abilities, and work approaches, I can support my staff and patrons, improve collaboration, and meet the needs of our diverse community. Conflict Resolution, Ethics, and Confidentiality prepared me to handle workplace disputes, patron concerns, and policy enforcement fairly and professionally. Maintaining a positive and collaborative library environment that serves everyone is essential. Studying the ethics and professional values, such as intellectual freedom, patron privacy, and trust of the library, helps me build a strong foundation for managing library operations, supporting staff and patrons, and upholding the goals and mission of the library in the community.