Flight of the Starlings:Lessons in Shaping and

Reshaping

ACRL College Libraries Section

June 25, 2007

Kathryn J. Deiss ACRL Content Strategist

kdeiss@ala.org

26 November, 1799

“…the starlings drove along like smoke…now a circular area inclined in an arc - now a globe - now a complete orb into an ellipse…and still it expands and condenses…” Samuel Coleridge

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Develop skills for recognizing, leading, and creating…

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Observe patterns

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Discern between new and existing patterns

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Develop an acute sensitivity to evolving conditions and paradigm motion

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Know what is changing and what isn’t

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Recognize anomaly

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Use knotty challenges as developmental practice fields

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Sustain old and new patterns only as long as they support your intentions

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Test mental models insistently

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Change perspective frequently

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Encourage divergent opinions and ideas

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Share leadership for maximum capacity to create and adapt

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Bear tradition gently even as you depart from it

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Create new forms and structures in response to observed changes in the patterns around you

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Refresh your sightlines

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Try out new organizational identities

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Understand slow vs rapid change

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Find the shimmer and shine in your organization and promote it!