Leadership and Management Assignment

Leadership and Management
Alyson Hayes
LIS 5223
June 21, 2020

What motivates leaders, and how do leaders motivate?
A leader is motivated by success, but not their personal success, the success of others
around them. A leader is there to encourage others and help them develop their potential and in
doing that, they, themselves, are successful. A leader motivates others by actively listening to
others and mentoring and guiding them, not simply telling them what to do. They encourage
others to develop ideas and when that person is successful, they commend that person, either
publicly or privately on a job well done.
Leader Interview
There are many leaders whom I would love to interview. After reading The Giver of
Stars by Jojo Moyes, I would love to interview the packhorse librarians who rode through the
mountains of Appalachia in all weather conditions and social persecution to deliver books to
families in need. I so admire them and as I was reading, wondered if I would have the grit and
determination to stand up for what is right even though it went against what many civic leaders
wanted.
A more realistic leadership interview subject would be Lisa Wells, Director of the
Pioneer Library System. I have known Lisa for many years, but this past semester, I was
fortunate to work closely with her on a Directed Project for OLA. During that time, I really got
to watch her in action and came to admire her leadership abilities. As I worked with her, she
would often ask my opinion or ask for my input on the projects we were working on. I think that
one of the greatest qualities of a leader is know that you don’t have all the answers and
encouraging others to think creatively and valuing their opinions. She has earned, not demanded,
the respect of her staff and peers. When faced with a challenge or problem, she is very calculated
in solving it. She looks at all angles, asks for others’ opinions and once a decision is made, she
doesn’t waiver.
If I could interview her, I would ask:
- Who are some of your greatest mentors and what did you learn from them?
- Are there any books, podcasts and/or websites that you recommend for developing
leadership skills?
- What lead you on this path and how did your views on leadership change and evolve
along the way?
- If you could give one piece of advice on how to be a successful leader, what would it
be?
Innate vs. Learned Leadership
This is such a tough decision. I personally think that there are characteristics that a person
possesses that make them a successful leader, i.e. charisma, active listening skills, compassion,
empathy, etc. However, if one doesn’t have people and mentors to guide and develop these
characteristics, then it will be very hard for them to develop their leadership potential. On the
other hand, that is not to say that someone who doesn’t not inherently possess these qualities
couldn’t develop them without guidance and mentoring.
Leaders and Failure
A true leader will learn from a setback or failure. They will be diplomatic about the setback and
they won’t seek to place blame on someone else. If the failure is the fault of someone else, a true
leader will speak with them privately on how to correct it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Leadership story
COVID-19 has tested a lot of leaders. I have to commend the leadership of SOLS’
Executive Director, Gail Oehler. Through this whole pandemic, Gail has exemplified the
qualities of a great leader. When making decisions about closing or staying open, services to
provide and health measures to consider, Gail regularly met with staff and asked for their input.
All the decisions she made were based on the comfort levels of the staff and any concerns that
were raised she considered.
In a situation like this, that is unprecedented, where information is coming from different
directions, much of it contradictory, it can sometimes be hard to lead with compassion and to
ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Part of what makes Gail such a great leader is her ability to
turn to others for guidance when she is unsure of something. Leaders know that they do not have
all the answers and they are constantly learning. They surround themselves with people whose
abilities compliment their own, and know that they are stronger with the support of others.
My Leadership Definition
I am reading Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead, and I love her definition of leadership. “I
define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and
processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
I think that a leader is someone who leads by example. I supervise ten staff members at
SOLS and one of my biggest beliefs is not to make staff do anything I wouldn’t do. I have had
former managers who thought certain tasks were beneath them and their actions would make me
immediately lose any respect I had for them. I think that guiding someone, often by example, is
one of the greatest characters a leader can possess. If your staff, or the people around you, are
successful and you helped them accomplish that, then you are a successful leader.
The seven branch managers I supervise are the sole staff person at their locations. As a
former branch manager myself, I know how isolating and lonely it can be. With the convenience
of Zoom, I have implemented monthly meeting for all the branch managers. This gives them the
opportunity to voice their opinions or concerns on topics and share what they have going on in
their branches. Our former library director commented after one of the first meetings that “this I
why we don’t have more staff meetings, once they start talking you can’t get them to stop”. I was
completely taken aback because my philosophy was, “this is why we should have more staff
meetings, to give them the opportunity to talk to share their ideas and provide their input on
future library plans”.
Through COVID-19 I have had daily, and now weekly, meetings with the branch
manager. They have been included in every decision and encouraged to find new and exciting
ways to reach our public. I believe that everyone just wants to be heard and to know that their
opinions are valued and respected. If you respect others, you will earn their respect, in kind.

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Leadership and Management

June 21, 2020

publicly or privately on a job well done.

If I could interview her, I would ask:

along the way?

Innate vs. Learned Leadership

couldn’t develop them without guidance and mentoring.

Leaders and Failure

were raised she considered.

processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”

future library plans”.

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