{"id":22461,"date":"2020-01-21T00:01:10","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=22461"},"modified":"2020-01-20T20:00:18","modified_gmt":"2020-01-21T01:00:18","slug":"finding-renewal-in-2020-expert-leadership-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2020\/01\/finding-renewal-in-2020-expert-leadership-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Renewal in 2020: Expert Leadership Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taped to the metal cabinet in my work cubicle is a list of tips to \u201cGet Unstuck in 2018<\/a>\u201d that I printed from author and leadership expert Robin Sharma\u2019s website two years ago. The reminders provide guideposts to help me lead by my best example. I\u2019m struck by the similarities between Sharma\u2019s advice for leaders and the pearls of wisdom for early childhood educators collected from Mr. Rogers of children\u2019s television fame, further strengthening my belief that children\u2019s librarians make the best leaders<\/a>. Below are my favorite mashups from both experts, Robin Sharma (RS) and Fred Rogers (FR). I hope you find them as helpful as I have in rediscovering my center and redefining my values for guiding a team in the new year:<\/p>\n

Tip #1:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cOrdinary people talk about goals. Leaders get them done. With elegance, brilliance, and finesse.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cThere\u2019s a world of difference between insisting on someone\u2019s doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it.\u201d (4<\/a>)<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all heard the expression, \u201cGreat minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people\u201d (Attributed to many, including Socrates, Henry Thomas Buckle, and Eleanor Roosevelt). Sharma extrapolates further, stating that leaders take ideas and see them to fruition, influencing change and making things happen. Rogers includes the importance of culture and environment in his quote, aspects as crucial as strategy when motivating a team toward a shared vision.<\/p>\n

Tip #2:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cKnow your values. And have the guts to live them- no matter what the crowd thinks and how the herd\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 lives.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cTry your best to make goodness attractive. That\u2019s one of the toughest assignments you\u2019ll ever be given.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

What are the beliefs and values that direct your decisions? How are you incorporating them in your work and interactions with others? Do you have clearly stated values and expectations for your team? How are you leading by example?<\/p>\n

Tip #3:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cStop being selfish. Contributing to the lives of others is a great move for more joyfulness and peacefulness in your days.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cWhat really matters is helping others win, too, even if it means slowing down and changing our course now and then.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The best leaders I\u2019ve known have been selfless mentors, eager to encourage others, give back to the profession, and lead by a strong example. Looking for a place to start? Join ALSC\u2019s mentoring program<\/a>– it\u2019s a rewarding experience for mentors and mentees alike!<\/p>\n

Tip #4:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cSay \u2018please\u2019 and \u2018thank you\u2019 a lot.\u201d \u201cSay \u2018sorry\u2019 when you know you should.\u201d \u201cKeep your promises.\u201d \u201cWrite handwritten notes\u2026.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cThe greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.\u201d (4<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Manners and appreciation can go a long way when delegating to others. People are more willing to help when they know their effort is valued. And of course, fess up and apologize if you mess up. We\u2019re all human and everyone makes mistakes. Be known for honesty, dependability, authenticity and accountability.<\/p>\n

Tip #5:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cBreathe. Deeply. Constantly.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cIt always helps to have people we love beside us when we have to do difficult things in life.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

No one said this was going to be easy- leading a team is challenging! Take time to breathe, find your center, and take care of yourself. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people, both at work and in your personal life.<\/p>\n

Tip #6:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cGive your life to a project bigger than yourself.\u201d (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cIn every neighborhood, all across our country, there are good people insisting on a good start for the young, and doing something about it.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

In addition to having clear values and goals, strong leaders have a sense of purpose and vision. Lead your team toward the common purpose of collective good that is youth services, letting community needs direct your choices and priorities.<\/p>\n

Tip #7:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cBe a celebrator of other\u2019s talents versus a critic. Haters never win.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cThe world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Let go of any \u2018professional jealousies,\u2019 grudges, or resentment. Negativity will only hold back your team and get in the way. Start 2020 with a clean slate and a renewed belief in positive intentions. Support your team and let them know when you appreciate and value their work.<\/p>\n

Tip #8:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RS: \u201cIn a world with so much toxicity, be the kindest person you know.\u201d (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

FR: \u201cThere are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Being kind doesn\u2019t mean being a pushover or avoiding conflict, it means caring deeply about and advocating for your community, your team, your organization, and your shared vision- while holding yourself and your team accountable. Or, to quote Fred Rogers again, \u201cWe live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It\u2019s easy to say, \u2018It\u2019s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.\u2019 Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.\u201d (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n

In a society with increasing examples of hate and polarity, we can strengthen our teams and our service to the community through a strong vision, shared values, common purpose, and most importantly, with a level of \u2018radical kindness\u2019 that would make Mr. Rogers proud.<\/p>\n

What are your goals for 2020? What helps keep your team centered and motivated?<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today\u2019s blog post was written by Krista Riggs, Supervising Librarian for Programming and Eservices at the Fresno (CA) County Public Library on behalf of the ALSC Managing Children\u2019s Services Committee.<\/p>\n

This blog relates to ALSC core competencies of VI. Administration & Management Skills and VII. Professionalism & Professional Development.<\/p>\n

Websites Cited:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. https:\/\/www.robinsharma.com\/article\/67-powerful-tactics-to-get-unstuck-in-2018<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. https:\/\/www.robinsharma.com\/article\/62-tips-to-get-unstuck-in-2013<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. https:\/\/inspirekindness.com\/blog\/mr-rogers-kindness<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. https:\/\/www.inc.com\/geoffrey-james\/45-quotes-from-mr-rogers-that-we-all-need-today.html<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Taped to the metal cabinet in my work cubicle is a list of tips to \u201cGet Unstuck in 2018\u201d that I printed from author and leadership expert Robin Sharma\u2019s website two years ago. The reminders provide guideposts to help me lead by my best example. I\u2019m struck by the similarities between Sharma\u2019s advice for leaders and the pearls of wisdom for early childhood educators collected from Mr. Rogers of children\u2019s television fame, further strengthening my belief that children\u2019s librarians make the best leaders. Below are my favorite mashups from both experts, Robin Sharma (RS) and Fred Rogers (FR). I hope you find them as helpful as I have in rediscovering my center and redefining my values for guiding a team in the new year: Tip #1: RS: \u201cOrdinary people talk about goals. Leaders get them done. With elegance, brilliance, and finesse.\u201d (1) FR: \u201cThere\u2019s a world of difference between insisting…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":226,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[692,702],"tags":[266,460,1896,1894,1895],"class_list":["post-22461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-managing-childrens-services-committee","category-blogger-managing-childrens-services-committee","tag-leadership","tag-management","tag-motivation","tag-renewal","tag-team"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22461"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22461\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}