Getting ahead – lessons on leadershipAmy RossiterNovember 2009

My Background

BA Arts (Hons) – Monash Grad Dip Info Mgmt – RMIT 7 years in libraries – public

& TAFE VATL LIT Convenor since 2007 Dandenong Campus Librarian at Chisholm since mid-2007 Member of Chisholm 2020 Working Group TDC TSS Recipient 2009 Aurora Leadership Institute 2009 participant

TAFE Development Centre (TDC) – TAFE Specialist Scholarship (TSS) Available to TAFE specialist staff (i.e. non-teaching) wishing to pursue a career (para-professional or professional) in the TAFE system Scholarship helps develop skills, capabilities & professional standing of recipient Funding of up to $5000 available for each recipient

Further info:

http://tafecentre.vic.edu.au/?page_id=3094 http://tafecentre.vic.edu.au/?page_id=199

My project

Summary of my project as published in the 2009/2010 TSS Guidelines:

A Campus Librarian has been very active in library related networks, enhancing the reputation of her Institute through her efforts. Since the beginning of 2007, she has represented her Institute as the convenor of a sub-group of the Victorian Association of TAFE Libraries. She is a role model and mentor for staff and the Scholarship will fund her attendance at the Aurora Leadership Institute to further develop her leadership capabilities.

TSS Deliverables

Project action plan stating timelines and responsibilities prior to commencement of

the project. Attend the Specialist Scholarship Recognition

Ceremony, one Professional Learning Series event for Specialist staff, and two knowledge sharing and reflection meetings during 2009. One project progress report during the life of the program. A written evaluation of the program on completion.

Aurora Foundation – Aurora Leadership Institute Mission:

… to assist future leaders to recognise and develop their leadership abilities.  The Aurora Foundation seeks to position leaders as dynamic and effective voices in our sophisticated information environment. http://www.aurorafoundation.org.au/ held each year since 1996 in February at Thredbo NSW facilitated by Becky Schreiber and John Shannon who have been associated with the Institute from its inception focus is on leadership rather than management

Aurora cont…

presents a challenging program for library professionals with leadership potential

uses a combination of experiential learning, group and individual exercises participants work closely with a strong team of senior and experienced Australian and New Zealand mentors Institute programme includes exploration of

leadership concepts including vision, risk taking, creativity, communication, and styles of leadership  demanding, challenging and exciting experience

Aurora cont…

32 participants + 8 mentors nominations sought from individuals with

leadership potential and an ability to share with others their vision and enthusiasm target group = those who are 5 – 10 yrs into career open to people from all types of libraries cost = $4,950 excluding travel to/from

Canberra Airport

My Aurora experience

Extremely challenging and confronting Privilege to be able to devote time to learn

about self in the hope that others will benefit Provided fantastic networking opportunities Assisted self discovery Helped me consider the bigger picture Gained greater understanding

of own and others’ personality types

Rewarding experience

Definitions of Leadership

One definition:“the intentional use of power with individuals or groups toward some desired end.” p.66, Kroeger et.al.According to Kroeger et.al. (pp. 66-67) there are four key components of this definition:1.Leadership is intentional2.Leadership needs people3.Leadership is about using power4.Leadership needs an aim

Management vs Leadership – BennisFundamental differences according to leadership guru Warren Bennis:

The manager administers; the leader innovates.

The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.

The manager maintains; the leader develops. The manager focuses on systems and

structure; the leader focuses on people. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.

Management vs Leadership - BennisThe manager has a short-range view; the

leader has a long-range perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon. The manager accepts the status quo; the

leader challenges it. The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his own person. The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

Management vs Leadership – Skill Sets

Leadership & management complement one another

(Brown, p.23)

Effective Leadership Effective Management

Creates a compelling vision Planning

Engages people’s aspirations and talent

Organising

Brings new perspectives Controlling/monitoring

Focus on big picture Coordinating

Self-awareness Uses data to inform decisions

Develops people Uses sound HR administration

Management vs Leadership – my view Difficult to define Can be hard to distinguish from management Optimism is at the core of leadership Institutes combine management and

leadership into the one course – perhaps indicative of difficulty to distinguish

between the two Managers may find themselves in a role due to technical competence - aren't necessarily effective leaders

Personality Types

May assist you to understand self and those you’re leading

Help anticipate behaviour Enhance engagement with others Enable more effective communication

Consider using: Personality Enneagram from:

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/intro.asp Typewatching from ‘Type talk at work’ by Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen & Hile Rutledge

7 Heavenly Virtues of Leadership Humility Courage Integrity Compassion Humour Passion Wisdom

Barker & Coy, 2003

My thoughts on leadership …

Be optimisti

c

Get yourself a mentor

Seize opportunitie

s

Be brave

Show compassio

n

Build confidence

Seek and give

feedback

Listen actively

Stay calm

Focus

Ask questions

Don’t ignore problems

Avoid rambling

Be open to change

Stop to take a deep breath

Speak clearly and succinctly

Know yourself

Take chances

My thoughts on leadership …

Build networks

Be future focussed

Encourage open communication

Give praise

Be decisive

Be relevantAvoid

procrastination

Embrace lifelong learning

Be passionate

Respect others’

opinions

Influence

Help others reach their potential

Be informed & keep

others up-to-date

Prepare others for change

Inspire

Take action

Explain and ask ‘why’

Encourage others to

seize opportunitie

s

My thoughts on leadership …Dare to dream

Don't be put off by others'

negativity

Build team relations

Empower staff

Do unto others

Communicate effectively

Utilise skills of your team

Set realistic goalsBe kind to

others

Take time to reflect

Lead by example

Exercise self control

Don't take things too personally

Smile Persevere

Sense of humour

Understand yourself

Be creative

Dare to dream!

ReferencesBarker, Carolyn & Robyn Coy. The 7 heavenly virtues of leadership. Sydney: McGraw- Hill, 2003

Bennis, Warren. "Managing the dream: leadership in the 21st century”,Training: the Magazine of Human Resources Development., 27.n5 (May 1990): 43(4). General OneFile. Gale. Chisholm Institute - Dand. 1 Nov. 2009 

<http://find.galegroup.com/itx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-

Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=ITOF&docId=A8453522&source=gale&userGroupName=chisholm_dand&version=1.0>.

Brown, Bina. “The $64,000 question”, Management Today, May 2009, pp. 22-23.

Kroeger, Otto; Thuesen, Janet & Rutledge, Hile. Type talk at work: how 16 personality types determine your success on the job. New York: Dell Publishing, 2002

Sykes, Helen & Erica Frydenberg (eds). The Australian leadership reader: six leading Australians and their stories. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press, 2006