Leading Through the Chaos
Leading Through the Chaos is a poster in the 2020 PNLA Virtual Poster Session. We encourage you to engage in discussion by leaving a comment on the page. The author of the poster will respond to comments the week of August 4-7, 2020.
Presenter: Karen Yother
Track: Public LibraryAbstract:
Fear. Frustration. Anxiety. Uncertainty. Confusion. Worry. Stress. Sadness.
On a good day, managing staff dealing with just one of these emotions can be difficult, but when your entire team is feeling most of these emotions on a daily basis for weeks on end, how we lead can be the difference between tidal waves that capsize the boat or calm seas ahead for everyone.
The recent pandemic shone a spotlight on what I do well as a supervisor and what my team does very well on a daily basis, but it also highlighted some areas that were lacking and gaps in how we interact and communicate with each other.
In this poster session I will share how we improved communication, created a stronger support system, the lessons we learned, and how to sustain it all moving forward. From shifting to a virtual platform and setting aside summer plans for a new model just weeks prior to kick-off to learning to listen to what people aren’t saying and practicing being bendy, small changes in our behavior and actions can have a significant impact on staff. You can be the calm in the storm for your team starting today.
Poster:
As the Youth Services Coordinator at the Community Library Network, Karen leads a talented and amazing team of Super Librarians. She has served on various PNLA, ILA and CSLP committees since 2003. She received the Coeur d’Alene Schools “Inspiration Award”, the Hayden Chamber of Commerce Youth Award, was named Librarian of the Year by ILA, was a PNLA LEADS emerging leader, and was selected as one of the Top 30 Leaders Under 40 from the North Idaho Business Journal. Contact Karen at kareny@communitylibrary.net
