Administrative and Management Skills

Sparking Joy and Building Connections

A large white poster with a yellow bus in the bottom left corner reads "Fill this space with joy!" Underneath the title, handwritten notes reflect individual joy.

Discussions, blog posts, podcasts, and books everywhere explore finding joy. It’s challenging, especially when searching for happiness in your job. Sometimes, we spend more waking hours at work than with our families, friends, and hobbies. Can we honestly say those hours spark delight? Many things threaten our joy, from grumpy patron interactions to unexpected community challenges. But I believe in finding the good every day and choosing the things that refill your heart amid difficulties. Here are three ways to spark joy through connection. Connect with Yourself Joy is personal, and that means finding it starts with you. First, create a list of goals and priorities. Make your list as long or as short as you want, and include anything, personal or professional. Then, see what jumps out from your list. What small step can you take that would reinspire you now? If you’d like to build a new skill,…

Blogger Jaime Eastman

Leadership at Any Level: Empowering Library Staff

Definitions of leader and leadership are endless, but no specific person or job title makes you a leader. Rather, leadership is a conscious, daily decision. Before you can lead anyone else, you must first lead yourself. Then, it’s all about owning and customizing the journey. Here are some go-to tips (and my examples) for incorporating elements of leadership wherever you are. Own Your Journey We all have gaps, blind spots, and opportunities to improve. First, admit both the good and bad. Next, own your development. Actively seek growth opportunities. If you make a mistake, admit it. Then, commit to doing better. Further, focus on choosing evolving, long-term goals that allow you to adapt. Your focus will likely change as you grow, and that’s okay. Look for ways to build regular learning into your schedule. Finally, remember small steps add up to much progress. Make Space A few years ago, I…