Discover the Leader in

You!
Developing and Realizing your
Leadership Potential
Instructors
Laurie Scott, Health Science Information
Consortium of Toronto
Daniel Phelan, Ryerson University
Wayne Glover, AssociationsFirst
Agenda
Introductions
Perceptions of Leadership
Leadership Defined
Personal Leadership Traits
Leadership Potential
BREAK
Agenda, continued
Taking on a Leadership Role in
Professional Associations
Leadership Institutes & Programs
Personal Action Plan
Perceptions of Leadership Revisited
Wrap-up and Evaluations
Introductions
Please tell us your
name, where you
work, how long you
have been in the
library/information
profession, and what
you hope to get from
this workshop.
At the end of this workshop you
will:
Know how leadership is defined and
discussed in the literature;
Know how you can take on leadership
roles in your own life;
Know how to develop your own leadership
skills;
Understand the role of leadership in team
work;

At the end of this workshop you
will:
Know how participation in professional
associations can help with your leadership
skills development;
Know what leadership institutes and
programs exist for librarians and whether
they would be right for you.

What Youll Take Away
PowerPoint slides
Bibliography
Checklist of
leadership qualities
List of leadership
institutes/programs
Your personal action
plan
But not
Great Leaders
Sir Winston Churchill Was he a
great leader?
Perceptions of Leadership
Who are some people you would identify
as great leaders?
Public figures, personal acquaintances;
present day or historical.
What do you think makes them great
leaders?
Perceptions of Leadership
The following slide shows individuals who
may or may not be considered great
leaders.
What do you think?
Are they great leaders, or not? Why, why
not?
Great Leaders?
Oprah
Pierre Trudeau
Ren Lvesque
Bill & Melinda Gates
Bono
Margaret Thatcher

Tony Blair
Stephen Abram
Adolf Hitler
Nelson Mandela
Michalle Jean
Rudy Giuliani
When You Were a Child
Ill bet that most of you played a game
called Follow the Leader
Were you the leader or one of the
followers ?
What do you remember (if anything) about
this game ?
How to Play Follow the Leader
First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen,
then all children line up behind the leader.
The leader then moves around and all the
children have to mimic the leader's actions.
Players who mess up or do not do what the
leader does are out of the game.
The last person standing other than the leader is
now the new leader.
What you Learned About
Leadership from the Game
There has to be a leader
The leader must be chosen
There must be followers
Those who follow must mimic the leader
What you Learned About
Leadership from the Game
Those who do not mimic the leader are left
behind
A new leader always emerges at the end
of the game
The cycle continues
Do you think all of these lessons are
true?
Leadership Defined
In its simplest form leadership is the
capacity or ability to lead.

To lead is to either get in front to show
people the way or to go along with them.

Leadership Defined
In any case, the leader always takes an
active role in making something happen
with others
The others are referred to as followers
Leaders need followers
Not everyone can be a leader in every
situation
It is not always necessary, but leaders
have probably been followers first
Some people do not have the desire or the
qualities to be leaders
Leaders need followers
Followers fulfill very
important functions
and they need their
leaders to have
certain qualities

Leaders need followers
What followers expect:
Honesty
Competence
Forward-looking attitudes
Inspiration
These create credibility


Kouzes and Posner

Leadership Defined
Some three hundred and fifty definitions of
leadership have been generated over the
last thirty years by leadership researchers
Some say leadership is merely coping
with change
Leadership Defined
Others point to being visionary or vision-
oriented as the most important quality of a
leader
The wise use of power is another partial
definition

Leadership Defined
One leadership scholar and guru, Warren
Bennis, has identified several aspects of
leaders in business terms.
A guiding vision
Passion
Integrity
Trust
Curiosity
Daring
Characteristics of Leaders
Agents of change
Apostles of hope
Good listeners
Coaches and
teachers
Decisive
Characteristics of Leaders
Risk-takers
Enforce standards
Tenacious
Results-oriented

Leadership Defined
Are leaders born or made?
Early studies assumed leaders were
born but none of these studies was
conclusive
If leader are born, then leadership
training is meaningless!


Leadership Defined
Are leaders born or made ?
If leaders are made, then theoretically anyone
can be a leader
The truth probably lies in between leaders
are probably born with the aptitude but need
guidance and nurturing to realize their
leadership potential
Similar to great singers or athletes, who are
born with a gift, but need to develop it
Is leadership the same as
management ?
Generally leaders have traits that make
them good managers
But good managers may not be great
leaders why might that be?
Similarly, a visionary person may have the
charisma of a leader, but have no ability
as a manager
Is leadership the same as
management ?
It is not essential to be a manager to be a
leader
One can be a leader from the ranks
Indeed leaders can be found at all levels
of organizations and groups


Leadership & Teamwork
What is the role of leaders in team work?
In some instances, creating the team or
introducing members to each other
Clearly defining responsibilities
Developing communications guidelines
Identifying a conflict resolution mechanism



Leadership & Teamwork
Encouraging an open exchange of ideas
during team creation
Creating a shared purpose, direction and
goals
Providing detailed and timely feedback

Is leadership the same as
management ?

The manager does things right; the leader
does the right thing.
Warren Bennis

The Tasks of Leadership
Envisioning goals
Affirming values
Motivating
Managing (priorities, decisions & systems)
Achieving workable unity
The Tasks of Leadership
Explaining and teaching
Serving as a symbol
Representing the group
Renewing
Leadership Potential
How can you determine your own
leadership potential?
Personal Leadership Traits
Using the provided check list, take 10 minutes to
reflect on your own leadership traits the
qualities you have that would make you a good
leader, and those that you think might make
leadership difficult for you.
There may be other qualities you think are
important that are not on the checklist.
Grade yourself from 1 10 on each quality.
You may share these with the group, or keep
them private.
Personal Leadership Traits
What qualities of leadership were not on
the checklist?
Leadership & Professional
Associations
Participation in
professional
associations is a
great way to develop
leadership abilities.
There are many
different ways to
participate, and a
wide variety of
associations.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
What reasons might people have for not
participating?
Leadership & Professional
Associations
Reasons we hear for
not taking on
leadership activities
in associations:
1. I dont have enough
time
2. Its a lot of work and
responsibility


Leadership & Professional
Associations
Reasons we hear for not taking on
leadership activities in associations:
3. I dont have anything to offer; other people
are more qualified to serve than I am
4. Im uncomfortable expressing my opinion in
public
5. It costs a lot of money

Leadership & Professional
Associations
1. I dont have enough
time.
Everyone is pressed for
time, but remember that
even the busiest people
participate.
Negotiate with your
employer for the time
needed. After all, this is
your professional
development and it
makes you a better
employee.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
1. I dont have enough time.
Choose an activity that fits with the time you
have. E.g. writing an article (working at
times that are best for you such as
evenings) may be better than serving on a
committee that meets at specific times.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
2. Its a lot of work and
responsibility.
Yes, it is! But its
also a great
opportunity for
professional and
personal growth.
Its also fun which
makes it feel less like
work.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
2. Its a lot of work and responsibility.
Taking on responsibility is an important
leadership trait.
It is very rewarding to see the fruits of your
labour, and the impact you can have as a
leader.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
3. I dont have anything
to offer; others are
better qualified
Dont sell yourself
short!
Everyone has
qualities, skills or
knowledge that they
can contribute.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
3. I dont have anything to offer; others are
better qualified
Long-time members of the profession have
experience and knowledge of the big
picture to share.
Newer members have a fresh outlook on
issues and new skills.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
3. I dont have anything to offer; others are
better qualified
Behind the scenes work is as important as
that directly in the public eye.
You can start small and work your way up.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
4. Im uncomfortable
expressing my
opinion in public.
This common anxiety
can be overcome!
Take a course on
public speaking, join
Toastmasters or a
similar group.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
4. Im uncomfortable expressing my opinion
in public.
Practice with people youre comfortable with.
Good preparation knowing your stuff is
key to developing confidence.
The more you work with a group of people,
the easier it becomes to express your
opinion.
You develop a comfort level with them.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
4. Im uncomfortable
expressing my
opinion in public.
If you are passionate
about something, you
will want to speak up.
No one will be able to
hold you back!


Leadership & Professional
Associations
5. It costs a lot of
money.
Its a sad fact that
many people dont
have institutional
financial support to
participate.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
5. It costs a lot of
money.
Negotiate with your
employer!
Professional
development is a
shared responsibility
between employee
and employer.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
5. It costs a lot of money.
You may need to choose a single
association in which to belong and
participate, and pay for the membership
yourself.
Consider it an investment in yourself.
Some volunteer positions come with
financial support for conference attendance.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
Personal Reasons to Participate:
1. Learning about yourself personal
development
2. Networking forming useful relationships
and friendships
3. Giving back to the profession
4. Rsum building
5. Raising your profile in your own institution
Leadership & Professional
Associations
1. Learning about yourself
When you participate in a professional
association, you can be surprised at what
you can accomplish and the skills you have.
Participation is a great way to further
develop your potential.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
2. Networking
Spending time with
your colleagues and
working on projects
together helps you to
develop greater
knowledge of issues
and professional
practice.
You develop your
personal Rolodex of
go-to people.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
2. Networking
You can make
wonderful friendships
that last a lifetime.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
3. Giving back to the profession
Your profession has been good to you and
you have the ability to contribute in return.
You can mentor younger/newer members of
the profession.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
3. Giving back to the profession
You can take on a leadership position and
help move the profession forward. E.g.
CHLA/ABSC Task Force on Standards.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
4. Rsum building
Its OK to have
personal motivations
for participating!
Employers like to see
participation in
professional
associations.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
4. Rsum building
Through networking, you may hear about
job opportunities.
Professional colleagues may act as
references.

Leadership & Professional
Associations
5. Raising your profile in your own institution.
If you serve in a professional association, give a paper, are
elected to office, be sure your non-library colleagues know
about it!
An institutional newsletter, intranet or blog are a few
possibilities.
Volunteer to report on your activities in meetings.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
What other reasons are there to
participate in your professional
associations?
Leadership & Professional
Associations
Associations:
CHLA/ABSC (and chapters)
SLA (notably, the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division; local
chapters)
MLA (and local chapters)
CLA / CASLIS
ALA / ACRL / LITA / LAMA
Provincial associations (e.g. APHLA, OLA, BCLA)

Leadership & Professional
Associations
Ways to participate:
Choose the association(s) you want to be a
part of.
Talk to members and officers of the
association for guidance and information on
opportunities to serve.
They will be more than happy to talk to you.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
Ways to participate:
Volunteer to serve on a committee or task
force.
Take the job no one else wants.
Volunteer to organize a local event.



Leadership & Professional
Associations
Ways to participate:
Write an article for a
journal (e.g. JCHLA or
JMLA) or newsletter
(e.g. local chapter) or
other association
publication (e.g.
Information Outlook).
Write book reviews.
Leadership & Professional
Associations
Ways to participate.
Apply to be your
associations web
master or journal
editor.
Run for office
chapter level, national
level (CHLA/ABSC),
international level (e.g.
SLA, MLA).
Leadership & Professional
Associations
A Final Word:
Taking on a leadership
role in a professional
association is richly
rewarding.
You will receive far
more from
participating than you
will put into it.
Case Studies
Using the case studies in the handout, in
small groups discuss how you, as a
leader, would deal with each scenario
One case per group
Case Studies
What did your group decide to do?
Leadership Institutes & Programs
Library Leadership Institutes
Frye Institute
ACRL/Harvard Institute
Snowbird Institute
Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute
Synergy: the Illinois Library Leadership
Initiative

Leadership Institutes & Programs
Library Leadership Institutes
MPLA Leadership Institute
Library Leadership Ohio
New Jersey Academy of Library Leadership
TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute
Wyoming Library Leadership Institute
YSLead Massachusetts

Leadership Institutes & Programs
Library Leadership Institutes
Why are there no provincial
leadership institutes in Canada?
Should there be?
How can it be brought about?

Leadership Institutes & Programs
Non-library Leadership Programs
Niagara Institute
Programs provided internally in your
organization
Local universities especially business
schools


Personal Action Plan
Take 10 minutes to write down at least 3
things you are going to do when you get
back to work to develop your leadership
skills and/or take on a leadership role.
Consider the Leadership Qualities
checklist and your needs improvement
categories.
Include a brief action plan for each item.
Personal Action Plan
Would anyone like to share aspects of
their personal action plans?

Perceptions of Leadership
Re-Visited
Think of all the people identified at the
beginning of this workshop as being great
leaders (or not).
Do you still agree with your original
assessments?
Why, or why not?
Great Leaders?
Oprah
Pierre Trudeau
Ren Lvesque
Bill & Melinda Gates
Bono
Margaret Thatcher

Tony Blair
Stephen Abram
Adolf Hitler
Nelson Mandela
Michalle Jean
Rudy Giuliani
Did We Meet Your Objectives?
Discover the Leader in
You!
Questions?
Wrap-up & Evaluations
Please complete the course evaluation.
We will be happy to discuss your personal
action plans by email.
THANK YOU!
laurie.scott@utoronto.ca
dphelan@ryerson.ca
wglover@associationsfirst.com