Intentional Leadership at All Levels: Takeaways from the ALA Leadership Institute

Intentional Leadership at All

Levels Rebecca Blakiston

September 10th, 2014

ALA Leadership Institute 2014

August 11-14th

Eaglewood Resort & SpaItasca, Illinois

Kathryn DeissContent Strategist at ACRL

Maureen SullivanOrganizational Development

Consultant

Leadership and SelfSo, you think you can lead?

Strengths of a leader

• Is trustworthy• Puts trust in others• Gives other

opportunities• Recognizes others• Is humble• Is self-aware• Is always learning• Is always teaching• Has fun!

• Listens well• Addresses problems• Motivates/supports

staff• Has vision• Demonstrates values• Practices what s/he

preaches• Keeps an open mind• Is genuine• Is compassionate

6 Keys to Leading Positive ChangeRosabeth Kanter

1. Show up

2. Speak up

3. Look up

4. Team up

5. Don’t give up

6. Lift others up

Costs and benefits of leadershipCosts Benefits• Higher expectations• Need to make tough

decisions• Demands on time• Distance from your

peers• Mental energy drained• Exhausting!

• You have a hand on the steering wheel

• Have a say in making things happen

• More autonomy/freedom

• Can fix big problems• Can build something

new• See the big picture and

impact of your work

But, only 1/3 of the time are leaders correct about how others see them.

Multi source assessmentfor identifying areas of strength &areas of development

Adaptive leadership

Creating a culture of courageous conversations

Emotional and social intelligence

Self-Awareness Social Awareness

Self-Management Relationship Management

Self-control

Leadership and OthersBuilding a climate of trust, respect, and growth

Ladder of

inference

Focusing on intention

Negative assumptions are a barometer of trust

Effective communication leads to trust

Left hand column (LHC)

Thoughts and Feelings Actual Conversation

I was just trying to be friendly, didn’t ask for your whole life story.

Did Bill go out drinking last night or something? That’s unprofessional.

Why doesn’t Bill like me? Was it that email I sent yesterday?

Me: Good morning, how are you, Bill?

Bill: Fine, still waking up, need my coffee.

Me: Ok I’ll leave you alone then.

Access your blind spots

Practice humble inquiry

Listen strategically

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwB7NAvKPeo

Facilitate skillful discussions

The FutureStrategy, innovation, and change

Encourage innovative thinking

Innovative thinking in action:designing a shopping carthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M66ZU2PCIcM

Anticipate Needed Change

Fail early to succeed faster

“Visible mistakes are a sing that we are a healthy organization.” - redgate

Beware of mental models

Celebrate

Keep learning

• True North by Bill George and Peter Sims

• Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman

• Overcoming Organizational Defenses by Chris Argyris

• Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arginger Institute

• Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein

• Becoming a Strategic Leader by Richard Hughes and Katherine Beatty

• The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

• The Working Leader by Leonard Sayles