Leaders and Their Library Message | Leading From the Library; Library Journal, 7/30/15

Steven Bell, Library Journal; Leaders and Their Library Message | Leading From the Library:

"Every leader will face situations when they need to be their most articulate and “leaderly” in delivering a response. Having a well-thought out library message and the ability to quickly and confidently get and stay on message will make the difference. That’s not to say that leaders are know-it-alls who must always have the answer to every question. Good leaders know that on occasion the best answer will come from someone on the library team, perhaps the collection or budget expert. Savvy leaders also know that sometimes the best strategy is to acknowledge the complexity of a question and use it as an opportunity to engage community members in a conversation about a controversial or difficult issue. What matters is thinking ahead about communication situations, having the library message ready, and taking time to practice the delivery. Communication is among the most essential skills that library leaders need for success, whether it’s communicating with staff, community members, or other leaders. Look for every opportunity to learn to get better."