Working as a Group, Pt 2

Learning to work in a group is not always easy, and sometimes as completion time nears, stress increases. I have recently been able to witness an amazing array of group dynamics as a group of librarian-professionals-in-training were forced to produce a project with others who in most cases were extremely different from themselves.

Such situations are interesting when you think of the fact that these are the library directors and branch managers who are facing these issues. Why would we expect any more of our staff members, if we ourselves cannot function in a group setting?

I am happy to say that I had a great group, and we worked well together. This, I think are some quick tips to working as a group:

1. Step back from your ego. You are now part of a team, and it's not all about you.

2. Quickly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, while realizing your own.

3. Remember that working as a team may mean you have to do something that is not within your comfort zone for the good of the group.

4. Be willing to help others learn something new as you go, so they can grow and develop their skills.

5. Be kind.

6. Carry your part of the load.

7. Give everyone credit for a job well done.

8. Count it as a learning experience -- you learn about yourself, how to be a part of a team, how to lead and how to follow -- all in one setting!

Old Advice is Still Good Advice

We are very quick in today's world to throw out the old to embrace the latest and newest, and yet today I was again reminded that much of the old is still very relevant and useful for leaders today. I was given a book, courtesy of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, by Dale Carnegie entitled: "How to Win Friends and Influence People." This book, written in 1936, is timeless in its value for leaders, and I look forward to digging into it in a deeper way after the overview we received.

The talk began on the importance of our frontline staff providing the lasting impression on all who enter the library, and how Carnegie's book can help us in training them in this area. I thought what could a 1930's book do to help me with my staff in the 21st century? Yet, as I saw the principles from the book I was amazed at how spot-on Carnegie was and still is for how we can influence not only as frontline staff with our pratrons, but as leaders who seek to influence staff, patrons and governments on behalf of the library.

So, be sure there will be more to come from Mr. Carnegie in future blogs, but in the meantime don't dismiss the old as we seek to impact the world around us.

Team Work -- Really?

Ask me to do something, and I'm all in; ask me to do something with a team, and I instinctively roll my eyes. Teamwork is not a natural thing for me, but is something that requires me to get outside of my comfort zone. When I am put in a situation that requires me to work as part of a team, I have to consciously step back and become something that is outside of my nature.

Is it fun? No. Is it easy? No. Is it beneficial, Yes. I have to admit that when I'm forced to work with others, it helps me be a better leader, because I force myself to think of others, who they are, their gifts and even their weaknesses. I find myself working to encourage and push others out of their comfort zones in order to grow, all the while knowing that I'm doing the same -- growing, learning, becoming vulnerable and ultimately a true part of a team.

What do I learn from being put in team-building situations? I learn that when I'm pushed outside my comfort zone, I can still find ways to grow as a leader and take what I learn back to my library as I seek to grow my own team for the betterment of our institution and patrons.

So team work, really...yes, because it's an chance to grow and consider others for a change.

Fear's affect on the workplace

Do you fear change? It’s understandable, many people do. If change is hard for you, as it is sometimes for me, I hope you’ll find encouragement in some steps for facing fear that I recently heard via Rory Vaden.

The first thing to realize is that in the majority of cases, FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Ask yourself the question: How many of the things you have been afraid of have truly come to pass? Our imaginations and creativity are wonderful tools for work and productivity. They can move us in positive directions for finding solutions to problems and developing new initiatives, but when fear enters the picture, that same creativity can be moved in a negative direction as our minds begin to imagine all the horrible things that can happen as a result of what we perceive to be happening as a result of the change.

We all have fear, that is a given, but how we deal with fear varies. Rory gives some great helps in overcoming fear from a book by Jon Acuff, entitled: Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters.

1. Label it. Write it out on paper or speak it out loud. When you voice the fear, it begins to lose its grip on your mind.

2. Counteract it. Refute it with truth. Put your creativity to use in a positive way, and find the supporting evidence for why this thing is not likely to happen. This helps you gain confidence

3. Share it. Fear fears community. Fear impacts the individual, but when we share it, others will start to share their perspective of how ridiculous what your fear sounds. This helps us to see that we were actually allowing something to affect us that was not true, but only lived in our imaginations. 

Creativity is a wonderful thing in the work place. Which will yours be – positive or negative? Don’t let fear hinder you from making a positive and productive impact to your library.