one person can make a difference: tips & techniques for the lone change agent

one person can make a difference

tips and tricks for the lone change agent

stephanie chasehead of programming & outreach, central library, multnomah county library, or

@acornsandnuts on twitter

scott hughescity librarian, bridgeport public library, ct

how can you start driving the bus…

with the wrong

people on it?

it has to start with youin the words of Joan Frye Williams

and George Needham:

“transformationalleaderswork on the edges”

QuickTime™ and ampeg4 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

discomfort as opportunity

move away from the inclination to stay in your comfort zone“transcend the curse of competence”“build the bridge as you cross it”you’ll never be excellent if you keep doing only what you are doing -- it requires moving away from the norm

elements of a successful team

your best people need to be on the biggest opportunities, not your biggest problemsknow your strengthswork on your project has to be its own reward -- be ambitious for the goal, the project, the organization, not selfrelentlessly optimistic and curious

influence, not power

energy networks

positive energy networks

the abundance approach

your toolkit: your team

gather your best advocateslook for them in different placesprovide informal opportunities for involvementthink carefully about what you are willing to delegate, and let people do it

your toolkit: stakeholders

show your stakeholders that you are listening and that you careask them for help -- give them opportunities to become investeddon’t settle for “venting” -- require people to be part of the process or offer solutions

your toolkit: get out of the echo chamber

attend an executive programget out of the echo chamber look for best practices from other professionslook for next practices, not best practices, in your own profession

your toolkit: overcommunication

There is no such thing as overcommunicatingface to faceemailhuddlesstaff meetingsstaff blogs or newsletterspostersfocus groupssurveysinvite participation

the harsh reality

you will have to give up your time -- or other resources -- to follow opportunityyou will need to get your own place at the table -- don’t wait to be invitedyou’ll never get everyone on board -- be ruthless about the 80/20 ruleexpect fallout… which may mean a new job

your first steps

stop waiting for direction “from above”have someone/a group to actively discuss “change the world” ideas withcare deeply about what you are doingcreate a shared and clear visionwhat’s your challenge -- not your problemmatch people’s strengthsask for help

what’s your first step?

take the time right now to write down your first step: what are you going to do when you get back to work?

make it happen -- email a colleague, or tweet it

recommended resources…because we are librarians, after all

Boards that make a difference: a new design for leadership in non-profit and public organizations by John CarverGood to Great: why some companies make the leap… and others don’t by Jim CollinsEmotional Intelligence: why it can matter more than IQ by Daniel GolemanInfluencer: the power to change anything by Kerry Patterson, et al

The “viral optimism” of Joan Frye Williams and George Needham (http://www.georgeandjoan.com)Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at the Ross School of Business (http://www.centerforpos.org/)Leading with LIFT blog (http://www.leadingwithlift.com/blog/)The Invisible Gorilla Experiment (http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/gorilla_experiment.html)