Mid-Year Assignments for Melvil and Me

Our esteemed leader, Heather, asked us to do several things as a mid-year assignment. These assignments are very helpful for me to get my mind back on the Professional Library Management Program (PLMP) and prepare for Year Two of the Professional Library Management Institute (PLMI), which will take place in August at a Tennessee State Park to be determined.

One assignment was to attend the webinar on Six Essentials for Teams that Work which was delivered by the Effectiveness Institute and blog about it. I like the double meaning of the title of the webinar. Are there six essentials that work?   Or essentials for teams that work?   Or both?

Here are the six essentials in brief:
1. High level of trust.
2. High level of respect.
3. Commitment to a clear and common purpose.
4. Ability and willingness to manage conflict.
5. Focus on results and recognize achievements.
6. Alignment of authority and accountability.

In my history, I've managed small teams of three members and teams as large as thirty members. It is a welcome change to have myself and a part time Library Assistant as the entire team at the Perry County Public Library. My part time staff member is every library leader's dream -- a seasoned professional who describes herself as having "library in her blood." Since this small team functions quite well, I've chosen to look at the Six Essentials with our Board of Trustees in mind. Instead of rambling on about each of the essentials, I want to focus on my primary shortcoming...rather...my area of greatest developmental need right now as it relates to the Board of Trustees. Number Four -- ability and willingness to manage conflict is the essential that troubles me most with the Board.

I've recently moved to this county and am (thankfully) not aware of the past history of the Board as a group or the members individually. In my 18 month tenure in my position, we've filled two positions on our Board of seven members. In spite of my attempt to fill the most recent position with a patron who frequents the library and has volunteered here many times, we've filled the positions with people in good standing in the community who are held in high regard -- but they don't frequent the library. Personally, I believe both new members are true assets to the Board in spite of the fact that they aren't even patrons of our facility.

My Vision for Our Board of Trustees!

However, I've sensed an undercurrent...a hidden agenda...a power struggle among our Board. Occasionally, at the end of a Board meeting, I've felt battle-worn and beaten-down. When I asked my husband (a former Library Board member in a county where we used to reside), if the Board attacked the Library Director at meetings, he was appalled and said, "We always asked our Library Director how we could help her!" On hearing this, I burst into tears. That's when I realized that I was feeling attacked and alone at the Board meetings. Don't worry, all seven of the members don't attack me...just one; but the other six members just watch silently...seemingly grateful to not be the target of the attack.

In order for our Board to begin functioning as a "team that works," I believe I must be willing to acknowledge and manage the conflict. Since I report to the Board, I must plan this carefully. It may be a little risky, but the rewards will be worth it.

Our other assignments include reviewing a slideshow about Glossophobia, completing a Mid-Year Review document, and tracking our Continuing Education hours. Great assignments with perfect timing. Thank you, Heather, for the nudge.