MLA Blog

Booster Shot of Leadership

You missed it! You missed it! Maureen Sullivan was awesome today at the preconference/follow-up for Maryland Library Leadership grads …

The group jumped right in with some fascinating dialogue about leadership competencies and then moved right into “Resonant Leadership” and emotional intelligence. Maureen shared a number of models that are currently driving leadership trainings and how they might impact our own practices of leadership.

Among the models and lists that Maureen shared was one in response to a specific question about “What Motivates People at Work.” As we work with our staff, these basics must be present to satisfy the “basic desire for satisfaction” of an employee.

• meaning and purpose
• self-control (meaning choice in how or what we do)
• challenge
• appreciation and recognition (primary area that drives performance improvements)
• the WORK itself

We also used a self-assessment tool based on the Organizational Frames of Bolman and Deal. The test reveals the “preferred frame of reference that we might utilize in understanding our organizations.” The four frames are structural (emphasizes the importance of formal roles, relationships, policies, etc.); human resource (emphasizes needs, feelings, and complexities of the people in the organizations); political (emphasizes the power base, networks, and productivity); and symbolic (emphasizes the celebratory, inspirational, and visionary aspects of an organization). The majority of the group fell into the human resources frame.

There were many other discoveries through the day-long workshop… perhaps others who attended will comment!

We also received a great booklist… for your information as well:

Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee
Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee 
** Becoming a Resonant Leader by Annie McKee, Richard Boyatzis and Frances Johnston
Reframing Organizations by Lee Bolman and Terry Deal  (read last chapter first for summary)
The Leader’s Handbook by Peter Scholtes
** Learning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis and Joan Goldsmith
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

** highly recommended by Maureen Sullivan

Holy cow, Batman - it’s the Black Belt Librarian (followed by Super Hero music)

Great way to start off our conference, with the Black Belt Librarian, Warren Graham. Warren covered so many issues that all we deal with at our libraries. Concrete answers, great examples, role-playing (that put us on the spot!) with a huge dose of humor thrown in. I really enjoyed today’s speaker and the room was packed for a pre-conference. Warren gave a top 10 list of rules, such as keep rules & regulations simple & direct and treat all patrons consistent, whether they are dressed in Armani or dressed in rags. He also covered the 4 emotional levels of the patron with role-playing and 5 good questions to ask ourselves, such as - do I have a passive or an aggressive personality.  Warren ended with a Q & A session and a quote from his mentor. “The strength of a hurricane comes from a strong center.” So center yourself and focus - not on your fears and disabilities. Thank you, Warren.

First day; pre conference

If you didn’t have a chance to see Warren Graham’s “Black Belt Librarian” then you’re in for a real treat! He is so full of energy; he actually shows the right way to do things. Even though I work in a small branch, everything he talked about on attitudes, bad behavior,etc will work. I liked how he used the audience for examples. (Hi Pam hi Lisa). This was all day with a couple of 5 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break. I discovered early on that he means what he says when he says 5 minutes! This is because of all the information he wanted to share. And…I got a good long walk on the beach when it was over. I don’t know where we’re eating supper tonight, but I’m taking the time now to look over the different sessions for tomorrow. A lot to choose from!

Ocean City!

Here we are! After a minor glitch in checking into the Clarion, we took a tour with jennihowell. Nicks for supper. The BEACH!! The 6 of us walked down to the water…thank you girls…it was wonderful. Off went the shoes, up went the pant legs, into the water I went. OMG it was like a homecoming of sorts. Did I mention I haven’t been to a real live beach in many years? Western (WAY western) Maryland has no beaches. Some sort of man made lakes do not count. This was a good day…Panera for lunch (my addiction) Nick’s for supper, the beach. We ended up going into the lounge here at the hotel and what a hoot! Regina and I got into singing “My Girl” with “On the Edge” the band that was playing. What great back up singers we would make!! I am SO glad nobody had a camera. We ARE going back again tomorrow night. I’m sitting here writing with the balcony door open listening to waves and wind. My sinuses better watch out. I wish I could bottle up the ocean air and take it back with me. We’re going to the pre conference tomorrow and it looks like there’s some really good things planned for the rest of the week.

On the Edge

Wow, we heard some great live music in the bar tonight. On the Edge is here for a week and put on a great show. Great vocals and sound.  You gotta hear them for yourself! ACLS was really getting into it, especially Nancy, who was shaking her groove thing and singing to My Girl!

MLA

This will be my first time going to an MLA conference and my first time visiting Ocean City. I’m excited about both: the first session I’m to attend sounds great but I can’t wait to smell the ocean. It doesn’t matter what the weather wil be…I know it’s going to be well worth the trip

ACLS is Here!!!

We have just arrived at the Clarion and fortunately the hotel clerk has found our rooms - we will not be sleeping in a closet tonight! hahah  Exciting adventures always happen to wake us up and keep us on our toes!  Of course, Paneras was our favorite pit stop for lunch, yum - we are trying to think up ways to bring one up our way - short of kidnapping the CEO.  The rooms are great and the ocean is so close and loud.  I forget how loud it really is until I come back.  I am thrilled our library system has invited me back for MLA and thank them profusely for the opportunity.  Little did I know that when I joined Allegany County that I would be trotting off to so many exciting places (I didn’t get out much in my previous life!!  Tonight might be a delicious trip to Nicks for some yummy crabcakes. Sorry tonight is all about the food! 

Looking forward to MLA

I’m looking forward to MLA again this year!  Woot, woot!! Great lineup - what a way to start off with the “Black Belt Librarian”, can’t wait!  Our own Lisa McKenney will be helping with a workshop on “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About It“  - question away on your burning techie problems. Everyone has some of ‘em!  Her, John Taube, and Mike Fiscus will be also doing a class on “Using Ipods to Get Students & Staff to Tune Into Reading” - using PhotoStory, Ipods, and Podcasts.  Anyone taking this class will take home some valuable info and fun resources for students and adults alike.  So many good ones to pick from!

Welcome!

Welcome to the MLA Blog! We’re kicking off this blog in connection with the MLA’s First Ever Virtual Conference! MLA is thrilled to bring our annual conference right to your desktop.

You’ll be able to attend interactive online sessions, experience hands-on learning, network with fellow library colleagues from around the state – and you won’t even have to pack your bags! Visit the Virtual Conference page for more information and to register.

We’ll post happenings from the Virtual Conference and the 2008 Annual Conference taking place in Ocean City, MD right here on the MLA Blog. Stay tuned!