Daily blog 6-19 November 2010 CLLA
First entry – my expectations
I expect to learn to become a more effective and efficient leader. I need to find out what my strengths and weakness are and make improvements by using the tools this academy will provide. Another expectation is to acquire some guts to stand up for librarians everywhere and get lethargic public librarians actively involved in wanting to make a difference in this profession. I plan to take advantage of this time here to network and build lasting relationships for future collaboration. I also expect to leave here being more confident in my abilities and with skills to assist in becoming a more competent public speaker. I plan to go back equipped to share ideas and implement them not only in my library but also the City of Cape Town library service as a whole. What I did not expect was having any fun, but so far I am actually enjoying myself.
Saturday 6 November
Blogging was interesting but it was the Wiki that caught my attention. I can see myself using this tool for staff communication. Instead of the endless emails, I can actually start a Wiki and put all the information on there. Staff can read it and make comments. They can each have their own page and report on current projects they are working on. Our monthly book discussions and reviews can be done via Wiki. I find this very exciting and can’t wait to get back and implement it. After the Campbell Leadership Descriptor I weighed myself and was found sadly lacking in many leadership skills. I see it as a challenge to improve and look forward to serious personal growth. That’s one of my expectations already met, identifying my weakness. I am excited to find out how to go about this development. Prof. Bothma’s presentation was, what can I say? Scary? Daunting? Overwhelming? My brain is working overtime with ideas for my different assignments. Bring it on, I’m up for the challenge.
Sunday 7 November
I am told that my profile is triple dominant. What on earth does that mean? Apparently it means that I am supposed to be very flexible and likely to share at least one preference of those with whom I interact. On the other hand, multiplicity of preference can slow down the decision making process due to the need to really check out all the bases. The presenter was very entertaining and I enjoyed the presentation, but I have to admit that I already expected all of the above about myself. The Campbell descriptor showed me that I have serious work to do on my leadership skills. My lowest score was vision and highest was management and I need to remember that a good manager is not necessarily a good leader. Entrepreneurialism is also below average, everything else is mid range. I have already decided get a mentor to help me address these challenges. I already contacted him and asked him to think about taking on the challenge. The graduation lunch was pleasant, but also put the Cape Town contingent under pressure to perform because all City of Cape Town alumni passed with distinction. We cannot let the team down, what high expectations!
Monday 8 November
I am really starting to enjoy myself. The routine is reassuring and although I am finding out how little I know, it is motivating me to want to do something about it. The National librarian left me feeling reassured that things are being done on a National level and our pleas are not in vain. The LIASA president inspired me to get involved again and if Ujala can handle the disruption, I’d like to be on her team in 2012. J Prof Bothma gave me a brilliant idea for my research project and now I can think it through and start planning. That way I can just start doing the work when I get home. Renee Scoombee made me think of what I can do when I get back and I have already decided to start a weekly story hour at the clinic next door. I also plan to ask the local radio station whether I can start reading a “Afrikaanse roman” as a morning serial. I really think that this is something I’ll be good at. This blog will remind me of all this enthusiasm and hopefully inspire me to follow through in the real world.
Tuesday 9 November
Now I lay me down to rest, learning, laughing, eating walking and teasing sexy Simon, all but a fleeting memory. Group work reading done, reflections done, finally rest. OH NO, not yet, the daily blog! Am I still awake enough to remember what I’ve learnt today? Let’s try... John Moalusi from Bridging the Gap is mercifully not boring, otherwise two whole days of him would be sheer hell. Leaders should create leaders, lead within the structure, get feedback from staff, lead by principle rather that policy and constantly assess your leadership style. Ideas I need to implement back home are to read more about other successful leaders, do more one on one sessions with staff. Get staff to give me feedback on my leadership style and I should read the following books: Leadership Code by Dave Ulrich and 7 habits for highly effective people by Stephen Covey, yes I have never read it, even though it has passed through my hands on many an occasion. I should always remember to fight for my team and encourage them to excel. Our assigned group is taking shape and starting to gel. NOW I lay me down to sleep...
Wednesday 10 November
Today I have learnt to ask myself some thought provoking questions. If I want to learn more about my own leadership style, I need to ask my staff – What should I do more of and what should I do less of. Spend 15 minutes weekly talking to staff about where we are and how the are coping. I need to know how I manage my brand and what I bring to my institution. I should never do irrelevant things. An interesting thought that came up was, is the librarian poor pay structure directly related to the fact that the males in authority of finances think it less important because we are a predominantly female profession? That’s something that should evoke some serious debate.
Thursday 11 November
Today was spent looking around the campus of the University of Pretoria. We visited the library and were privileged to hear about their strategic plans for the next five years. It was very interesting to see how successful people plan the future. Betty’s vision is mind blowing. I found her fascinating and to hear her new ideas and the implementation thereof, awe inspiring. Virtual learning. WOW! The National library and LIASA house were informative but I was so tired and in pain by then, that I honestly could not concentrate, as I otherwise would have. I now retire, highly medicated, hoping to feel better tomorrow.
Friday 12 November
Today Ujala told me that I need to learn to stand back, I am recording it here as a constant reminder. “You cannot encourage a plant to grow by pulling at its leaves... We must create an environment to thrive.” Knowledge is a combined understanding of something. Tacit knowledge is knowledge that people have in their minds and is, therefore, difficult to access. Often people are not aware of the knowledge they possess or how it can be valuable to others. The effective transfer of tacit knowledge generally requires extensive personal contact and trust. I learnt all about methods to harness this tacit knowledge and keep it in the company. The knowledge society is mind boggling and power point was brought to life by Bjarke Gotfredsen, who says that Web 2.0 is not a thing but a state of mind. I could go on and on but I am getting sleepy, just remember accept it and let it in. Johannes Cronje really made me realise that I can think outside the box. This presentation was the one I enjoyed most so far, because I learn best when doing things in practice. The more we do things the better we get at it. Never discard ideas, feed it and build on it. When at the peak of your career, start over again, doing something completely new. I must remember to start reading the 7 habits. Teamwork consists of a mutual goal, individual responsibility and positive interdependence. Roles do not have to be specific, as long as the job gets done. This module was really good. The braai was scrumptious, I enjoyed that burger so much after all the heavy food we have been eating all week. After much laughter and fun, back to group work. ):
Saturday 13 November
I spent the morning doing some research and then went on a lovely private tour of Soweto. We visited all the heritage sights and I came back reflecting on the current changes in the articulation of the South African democracy.
Sunday 14 November
Spending the day lazing around my room and doing lots of work. Lots of people popped in for refreshments and keeping me out of work, so much for solitude.
Monday 15 November
Johan Greeff says that Transformation is a change in thinking. Changing the heart not the face of the organisation. Commitment is being prepared to bleed. I am I that committed? I need to think about the future with an open mind because the future is where we will spend the rest of our lives. I need to learn to engage and LISTEN !!! What stood out to me is we don't know what we see, we only see what we know. It really made me think. I would like to go back and do tactical planning for the next two years and evauate progress at least once a year. Identify four key areas of priority and work on that. The Treetops notes with the templates will be useful and I plan to use it extensively. I liked the definition of vision: A vision must be short, so short that a 12yr old should hear it once and remember it. I have heard so much useful information, i need to go to bed and reflect and process it all. I am leaving the serious room now. Over and out.
Tuesday 16 November
Multiculturalism in the workplace, we are living the dream here in compound Leriba. If we can just transfer what we are doing and experiencing here, to the workplace, we'll be well on our way to total transformation. Constitution Hill was very emotionally provoking. It made me want to make the best of opportunities, that those who went through such horrific ordeals, have paved the way for me. I like the idea of the use of the old bricks from the prison to build a new constitutional court, like a phoenix. The beaded flag hanging on the court wall, made by six Zulu women, took nine months to complete just like a pregnancy and birth of a new nation. The court library was interesting and I do not envy them being a government legal deposit and having to bind all those government papers. Having to come back and complete the unfinished morning session was tedious and frustrating. Our group got together at 9pm after the multiculturalism session was finally done. We complete worked until 1am and now we just need to transfer to power point. Well done to the best team, we work together well and we have an excellent group dynamic.
Wednesday 17 November
Mobile technology is mind boggling, learnt that I have to get with the programme, soon or I'll be left behind. Ria Groenewald made us well aware of digital preservation. I have never thought of what happens to digital information after I have saved it. This is something that should be investigated by all organisations. I definetly am going to ask what my organisation is doing about this issue. Client services should be defined by looking at ti from the clients perspective. Clients define good service it should be taken very seriously because libraries cannot excist if there no need for the service. Staff attitude should be changed and they should constantly aware that the clients pay their salary. Looking bored and disgruntled does not make for good marketing. We should constantly ask clients how they view our services. That ties in with the next presentation about gaining a competitive edge. People are not resistant to change, they are resistant to being changed. All staff should know the mission and vision of the organisation, walk the talk and be part of the change. Remember that skills, knowledge, ability and experience are only useful if you are in the right place. I am jotting down points to remind me of things when I get back to reality, but I am tired of all this human contact and need to get some rest now.
18 November
Create the future, do not be its victim. Create the time to reflect and think over the horizon. Communication starts with listening. What does my audience really want? Perceptions are more real than reality. Reputation is the story we tell other people vs the story they tell about us. The above stood out for in the marketing presentation. Thankfully we have notes to refer to because I was too exhausted to take more in. Karen Kitching told us all about the elevator speech; I need to practice that one.150 words in 30 seconds, well… In order for staff to promote libraries, they should be well informed and know the community. Never discard someone as unimportant and never promise what you cannot deliver. Placing and keeping your library on the radar. Keep us in the minds of those who hold the purse strings. Libraries should be well positioned in minds of decision makers. Come up with suggestions not problems, don’t always be consumed by routine and operational issues. Always under promise and over deliver. Now to go and practice my presentation for tomorrow. We are all set up and ready to roll.
19 November
Why do people keep on talking about AFRICAN Librarianship as if it is one country?
Development is a right and necessity based on the fact that there are 52 different countries in Africa . Read IFLA journal 1996 – knight in shining armour-digital libraries in Africa . Join an international association for public librarians; present a paper at a conference. Don’t wait for someone to find you, make yourself available. How do I prepare? Note to self – read appropriate slide. Establish a track record of excellence, there is no substitute for hard work, read about new issues, write for publications, develop a brand name, have a personal vision and have the courage to say YES, I CAN! Read more about emotional intelligence, create fruitful alliances, read the signs of the times and do not use people. Think globally and act locally is not a cliché. If you are too busy to start something new, RETIRE! J I love that! Be a rare leader:
Reliable
Accountable
Responsible
Ethical
Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata was just great! I am so inspired to go out there and Do!
I could listen to her all day exhausted or not.
The DAC presentation was informative and thought provoking, they are trying their best in difficult conditions. We are powerful beyond measure and must step into the gap created by ICT and connect. Challenge – how do we take it to the people? Read more about Delphi method of forecasting practically, information literacy at UCT and Genevieve Hart’s papers for research project. Ask people what they want and need, this was heard all through this course and I definitely have to do practice this. Work proactively, have a strategic plan of action and implement.
Focus
Endorse
Work
Well that brings me to the end of my blog. This week was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I can honestly say that all my expectations were met and more. I am going to need lots of time to reflect and absorb all I have learnt here and I plan to do just that. I plan on implementing the ideas back at work and am seriously going to work on areas of development. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I will always think back on these two weeks when I get bogged down with reality and I am sure it will inspire me all over again. Now to get on with my research project.
