Posted on by hildaweisburg

Feel Well – Do Well

The old expression “Make time to smell the roses” is about slowing down to enjoy what’s around us. It is also, in fact, a prescription for improving your mindset and your productivity. Much has been written about the importance of self-care and its effect on how you feel about yourself.

Have you noticed when you go outside, your body posture undergoes a slight change? Your shoulders go back, and your vision seems to expand as you leave the confines of indoors and screen viewing. These outward physical changes are the manifestation of the chemical changes going on in our bodies. The effects of the chemicals our bodies produce can be negative or positive. Having too many episodes of negative chemicals flooding out bodies can affect our short- and long-range health.

Not surprisingly, the converse is equally true. In her article Fuel Well-Being to Transform Your Leadership (email sign up required), Marlene Chism discusses different positive body chemicals and how we can produce them. She goes on to show how producing these chemicals regularly boosts the quality of our work.

It is wonderful to know that the following chemicals are within your power to produce:

Serotonin- keeps you calm and in a positive mood. It helps you as a leader by keeping you from mood swings and acting impulsively. You make better choices and stay focused. You produce Serotonin when you:

  • Exercise regularly – Choose something you like so you will do it. Incorporate it into your regular routine and enjoy the many benefits.
  • Practice gratitude – This can be a simple addition to include in your routines. It helps to maintain a daily record, digital or print, of what you are grateful for, but even taking a moment in your day can benefit your serotonin levels.
  • Walk in nature – Get out. Find a place to get outdoors, breathe fresh air and, hopefully, grass and trees. If this is a challenge because you live in a city, look for a park you can go to.
  • Get sunlight – Another challenge for workers with long commutes or during the short daylight hours (and cold!) of winter. Do the best you can when you can.
  • Eat serotonin-rich foods such as turkey, eggs, seeds and nuts – Yes, even your diet can support this. No wonder these are considered healthy foods.

Dopamine – The feel-good neurotransmitter. Low dopamine leads to a lack of motivation and tiredness. Feeling overwhelmed and easily distracted can be caused by low dopamine levels. When you have a good balance of dopamine, your creativity increases, and you have a sense of positive achievement. All so necessary for leaders in stressful times. You produce Dopamine when you:

  • Eat Omega-3 foods like fish – Once again, eating healthy is beneficial in more ways than you knew.
  • Exercise regularly – A double reward for exercising – dopamine in addition to serotonin. Your exercise needn’t be for very long. Consistency is what is important.
  • Get enough sleep – Always a challenge in our over-filled days. Treat yourself as you do your children by developing a bedtime routine. Read yourself a story.
  • Listen to music – What music fills you up. Maybe lullabies can be part of your bedtime routine. Shift to music instead of news on your car radio, or at home. Or, after news…. This will give you that dopamine boost.  
  • Set and achieve small goals– Robert Collier said, “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day and day out. Reaching small goals makes you feel successful. Poof —dopamine! When the goal seems out of sight, it feels unattainable and hard to sustain. See the small steps as the big win they are.

Oxytocin – Chism calls it the “bonding chemical.” It helps in making connections, feeling empathy, and building trust which are all essential for building relationships. You produce Oxytocin when you:

  • Spend time with friends – The importance of this explains why the isolation we experienced during the pandemic was so damaging to many.
  • Express appreciation – Say thank you and mean it. Send a text or email. Even better, send a handwritten message, being specific.
  • Get a massage – A great reason to treat yourself. You can be good to yourself and build your leadership bonding chemical at the same time.
  • Listening – We have recognized the importance of active listening. It’s hard for many of us. Practice it when you spend time with friends.
  • Share a meal – Go out for a meal with friends and include serotonin- and dopamine-rich foods to eat.

Knowing the importance of these chemicals in your body and how you can produce them can give new impetus to you and your leadership skills. It’s fun to think that being a great leader is a matter of chemistry – and feeling good.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

What is Your Body Saying?

We are in constant communication. When alone, we communicate with ourselves by what we’re thinking, whether it’s a negative assessment, a positive mindset reframing, or a review of what is next on our to-do list. But non-verbal communication happens as we interact with others. And all the time.

A teacher greets you in the hall. At a barely conscious level, you access your history with them. Do you have a good working relationship? Is there one you are trying to establish? Have they been resistant to your previous outreaches? You also note how they look. Upbeat and happy? Tired? Annoyed?

While you are receiving this non-verbal message, the teacher is receiving your non-verbal message. Do you know what your body is saying? All of this occurs mostly without conscious thought, but that doesn’t make it less impactful. And when you begin talking, these non-verbal messages affect the response you are likely to get.

 As a leader, it’s important to be aware of how and what you communicate. I wrote about the many types and ways we communicate in my book, The Art of Communication: A Librarian’s Guide for Successful Leadership, Collaboration, and Advocacy (Libraries Unlimited, 2022) (currently less expensive in print than in Kindle!). I addressed our library world, of course, but the business world is also discussing the importance of understanding the many channels of communication we use.

Cheryl Robinson tackles the topic in her article, “What Your Body Language Says About Your Leadership Impact.” She notes, “Research underscores that body language has a greater influence on perception than verbal language alone. Positive, consistent body language reinforces trust and authority, while incongruent or negative cues may lead to misinterpretation or distrust.” Robinson goes on to detail how and what you are communicating.

Key Elements of Leadership Body Language

  • Body Movement – How are you sitting and standing? Fidgeting doesn’t send a leadership message. Sit up. Hands relaxed. A meeting with your principal or an upset parent is the most likely time to stay aware of this.
  • Posture – Shoulders back. Don’t slouch. It sounds obvious, but if you are not conscious of where your body is in space, you may he hunched over or low in a chair without realizing it.
  • Facial Expressions – Looking interested is important, but don’t overdue do it. Be animated, but not false. Faking it can be seen and negatively interpreted.
  • Space/Distance – Each of us occupies a physical space that extends beyond our body based on our size and culture. Too near is intimidating. Too far shows disinterest. Be aware of what you are doing and the (dis)comfort of those around you.
  • Gestures and Eye Contact – Open gestures are inviting, but too much gesturing is distracting, taking away from your message. You’ll seem frenetic and anxious. Maintaining eye contact shows trust and confidence (although be aware of cultures that consider it intrusive). Smiling genuinely is always positive.

I’d also add to this list: Listen attentively. Pausing before responding shows you paid attention to what was said.

Think of the best leaders you know. What do they project? How do they do it? Robinson states, “Maintaining a strong yet inviting presence is essential to conveying leadership effectively.” As leaders and librarians, we are in the relationship business. Being aware of what we are communicating enhances our ability to build these relationships. Know what messages you are sending and become a more effective and connected leader.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Joy Creates Success Creates Joy

You are back to work after the winter break. Does it already feels like a long slog to the end of the year? It does for many of us. Your students are feeling the same way. So are the teachers. How are you going to get through this? The blog post title is the spoiler alert, but it sounds unbelievable. What are you supposed to do? Sprinkle fairy dust on everyone?

It’s not that remote an idea. Think of the times when a lesson in the library really clicked and you could see the joy on students’ faces or just one student. Recall those moments when a student thanked you for something. Those isolated moments can be cultivated, and it’s important to know how to do it.

Administrators are now discussing Joy as the secret ingredient in education. Indeed “Centering Student Joy” was the theme of the December 2024/January 2025 issue of EL (Educational Leadership), the journal of ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). While the articles are addressed to administrators many can be translated for the library. The article, Joy: The Oxygen for Learning by Katie Egan Cuningham and Kristin N. Rainville is one example. Here are some of their ideas:

The Joy of Connection – The pandemic taught us that humans are social animals and thrive best through connecting with others. Among the ways we can foster connections are:

  • Prioritizing the “We” – You may already do some of this in “pair and share” activities. Give students sentence starters that incorporate “we” so they know you’re with them. Look for ways use more “we” sentences when talking with teachers.
  • Strengthen Relationships – Check in with teachers and students to follow up on how things are going, particularly with personal challenges they may have shared with you. Where appropriate show your vulnerability by sharing the ones you are facing.
  • Celebrate Challenges – Point out where some element of accomplishment has made a student ready for the next step. In talking with teachers, note how much resilience they have shown in dealing with life’s difficulties.

The Joy of Engagement and Brain-Friendly Learning – Be mindful of how learning occurs in different cultures particularly those who do so through storytelling. Incorporate opportunities within a lesson where they can share their stories with others.

  • Activate and Assess Prior Knowledge – Go beyond KWL (What I know/ What I want to Know/ What I learned) charts. The authors suggest you use anticipation guides with statements about the topic. Have students agree or disagree then explain their response. This lets you know what their prior knowledge on the subject is. At the conclusion of the lesson, they can talk about what changes they would make to their original assessment.
  • Consider Working Memory Demands – We have only so much space in our brains to deal with ideas and move them around. The authors suggest you “provide a series of shorter deadlines for longer assignments, break down tasks into smaller chunks, help students prioritize what’s most important, and incorporate multiple methods for presenting information.”
  • Motivate with Mastery – Mark the successful accomplishment of steps along the way to the planned outcome. Acknowledging mastery increases self-esteem, confidence, leadership skills and more. Everyone wants to feel that they are making progress. Help them feel this.
  • Opening Up to Joy – Tune in to the small joyful moments in your day. Be aware of what makes you smile. Take time to enjoy the beauty, wonder, and grace you observe whether it’s a sunset or birds in flight. Savor your food, especially the dessert. There’s potential for joy all around you. You just need to open yourself to seeing it.

When you start seeing the results from incorporating joy into your practice, schedule a meeting with your principal to share what you have learned. They will hopefully be aware of the importance of joy. Now you can take joy from knowing the principal sees you as being knowledgeable about current educational thinking and a leader.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Time for a Reboot

New calendar, new planner, new month, new year. The start of a new year is the ideal time to take stock of where you are and where you want to go. You have completed about half of the school year and had your winter break. It’s time to return to work.

What will that work be? Will it be a daily slog till the end of the year? That doesn’t sound like a leader. When your computer gets sluggish, you reboot it. Now it’s your turn for a reboot.

In his article, Warning: Upgrade Your Personal Operating Model, Arne Gast opens with the statement: Effective leaders continually adapt their priorities, roles, time, and energy practices to stay ahead of new realities. He then goes on to present numerous steps to the business workers on how to move their career forward. Much of his advice can be applied to our work life. Here are some of the key steps along with my interpretations for the library program.

Assess your priorities – What is your main purpose? Look at your Mission Statement. Does it still capture the focus of what your program needs to be? Tweak it if it doesn’t. Remind yourself of what is at the core of what you do. Let these priorities inspire you.

Do you fully understand your mandates? – Who are your stakeholders? Do you fully understand their wants and needs and how the library meets them? Remember these 4 Truths:

  • Every library, regardless of its type, is part of a larger host system.
  • Every library, regardless of its type, gets all its funds and resources from this larger host system.
  • Those funds and resources depend on the value of the library to the larger host system.
  • That value is determined by the larger host system.

What can you quit doing now? – This is a tough but important one. How many projects do you have going? What’s in your daily routine that drains your time and energy? Can any be reduced or combined? Or still better – eliminated? If not, look to plan these things according to your energy. Tackle the least important (ex: emails) at your least productive/creative time of day.

Are you focused on the work that only you can do? – We bring greater breadth and depth to the educational program. What are you bringing to students? Teachers? Administrators? How are you implementing your Mission Statement on a daily basis? What, if anything, do you need to change? You are the only librarian in your building. Let your unique contribution shine.

Who has your back? – Which teachers collaborate or cooperate with you regularly? Does your principal know and support the work you do? The underlying question is how successfully have you been in building advocates for the library? After you answer this, determine what do you still need to do. Create an advocacy plan for the remainder of the year if you don’t have one in place.

Manage your time – We’re tired of hearing this, but there are only so many hours in a day. The skill of time management is to maximize what time is available. (And this goes back to “Whaht Can You Quit Now). Have a basic schedule for when you do certain tasks, recognizing there will always be incidents that require immediate attention. The schedule helps you get back on track. Know your most productive times. Use the least productive time for routine, almost non-thinking, tasks.

Optimize your energy – No one can keep going without draining their inner batteries. You need time to recover and restore your energy. Incorporate self-care and time for family and friends into your schedule (yes, put it in that new planner(. You will be more productive and bring a more positive mindset to your work day.

Who are your real friends? – Who are the people with whom you can safely and appropriately vent? Who do you talk to when you are stressed out? In addition to your PLN (professional learning network) you should have another PLN — a personal learning network which should include family members and good friends.

Gast’s steps will get you ready to return and be the leader you need to be. I have one more step.

Make time for gratitude – It’s easy to be negative. So much is wrong in education and in other areas of our lives and the world. Focusing on that gets us nowhere. Make it a point each day to find three things for which you are grateful. It can be as small as a teacher thanking you for a website or app you found for them. Or it can be as big as getting a grant. You’ll find your spirits lift when you notice these moments

Positive leaders attract others to them. Use these steps to recharge, recommit, and be ready to step into success.

Happy New Year.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Ready for the New Year

Although the school year is not quite half over, there is a fresh start feel when January begins. You come back after break refreshed and, hopefully, with more energy. Like Janus, the two-headed god, you naturally look back at what was and forward to what you will create for the next several months. While that is instinctive, you will be far more prepared if you have a planned approach for this reflection.

Joel Garfinkle provides a multi-step process in his article, “Reflecting on your year: How to end strong and start fresh.” You might not be able to do all steps now since you are probably reading this after the winter break has begun, but keep it on file for use at the end of the school year.

Step 1: Close Out the Old Year

  • Wrap up loose ends – Clear out the email. Finish off any reports that are due. Send a succinct email – in a visual format if possible – to your principal highlighting the achievements of teachers and students work in the library since school started. Get back to any teachers with whom you need to complete plans for the upcoming year.
  • Organize your space (physical or digital) – Make your desk look ready for work. Ditch or archive files in any format that are complete. Set up your digital or paper calendar.
  • Celebrate your accomplishments – We need to recognize our achievements. You sent the email to your principal. Keep it in mind for your end-of-school-year report. Take time to reflect on achievements, personal or job related. It’s too easy to overlook these as we turn to the next thing on our to-do lists.
  • Stay connected – We may be away from work, but the world goes on. Make sure those who might need it have a way to contact you. Plan on checking your PLN and professional associations so you aren’t blindsided by changes.

Step 2: Take a Well-Deserved Break

  • Unplug to recharge – This is self-care time, and you need it. Yes, you may need to stay connected, but it’s not 24/7. It’s not even every day. Time to read what you want!
  • Reconnect with family and friends – These are the important connections whether in person or via emails or Zoom. Enjoy the time to really listen to the people who matter most in your life. Have fun.
  • Strengthen your network – Yes, you should unplug, but while checking your PLN and associations, look for those who are sharing new ideas or having creative approaches to dealing with challenges. Follow them and/or do what is needed to let you keep track of them. Reach out and acknowledge those who really inspire you.
  • Practice gratitude – Now is a great time to thank those in your PLN, teachers, and others who have helped you through the bumps in the road. Handwritten messages are best but reach out in whatever way works for you.
  • Reflect on your growth – We often complain that our achievements are overlooked, but we do this to ourselves as well. In successfully managing the many challenges we deal with, we fail to recognize how much we have grown as leaders and professionals as a result.

Step 3: Prepare For a Fresh Start

  • Set clear goals – You’ve acknowledged your accomplishments. Now you get to build on them. Be honest about where you are now and where you want to be by the end of the school year. And as you look to see what you want to do more of – also look at what you want to less. Make sure to notice what projects excite you – because joy has become recognized for its importance to our mindset and for achieving more.
  • Organize priorities – Look at your Vision and Mission Statements. Do they need tweaking? What do you want to accomplish in the remainder of the school year? How will you do it? Create an action plan with steps and dates for reaching them. Include an assessment.
  • Learn from negatives – What didn’t work? No one has continued successes. We know failure is a learning opportunity; we just don’t always remember to apply that maxim to ourselves. Instead, ask your PLN for advice on how you might have managed it better. You will have strengthened your connections and grown as a result.
  • Track your wins – Always! This will help you through the unavoidable rough patches. I keep my “success journal” handy. It’s a great reminder of what I have accomplished.

You’re a leader and aware that if you aren’t planning for success, you are planning to fail. Clear your path to success and watch as you live into your Vision and Mission. As the year ends, I wish you a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

It’s a Wicked World. Make It Work for You

There’s no question that things have gotten wicked these days. It’s hard not to be fearful and stressed, but that way takes the joy out of what we do. We know our students and teachers need us to be our best. How can we deal with the climate we face?

We are leaders. We don’t react; we act. It’s time to generate positive PR about school libraries and school librarians. And what better way to do it than to tap into the popular (see what I did there?) movie Wicked to inspire us and bring some levity to a serious challenge.

Kim Marcus guides you through the process in her article, 5 PR Lessons From Wicked and Its Most Iconic Characters. Laugh a little as you apply their route to success into your world.

Elphaba: Own Your Narrative – This is one we must develop. Like Elphaba, we have often been unfairly cast in the role of villain. Markus says, “Be proactive in telling your story.” We are good at tech and story. Be creative in using video, well-designed infographics, and other tools of our trade to show what kids are learning and doing.  Design a logo and tagline if you haven’t done so yet and look for ways to get it out to your school community and the larger one that doesn’t understand the depth of complexity of what a librarian’ s job is.

Glinda: Embrace What Makes You Extraordinary – Glinda knows all about how to be popular and win others over. We know how to connect learning to life and life to learning. We know how to find the “just-right” book for a kid and the most helpful tech resources to power a teacher’s lesson. Take in your strengths and use them to send your message out to the communities you serve.

The Wizard: Avoid Misleading Narratives – We aren’t the ones using smoke and mirrors to send out the misleading and fictitious narratives, but we do need to counter it. For these PR techniques, this means being mindful of avoiding the pitfall of “not statements.” Never say what we don’t do. Thinking we are countering that message by denying it, we are in fact reinforcing it. People tend to blank out the “not’s” when recalling points made.

Madame Morrible: The Power of Influence – The best way to deliver your message is to have someone else say it. Advocacy is always the key. Students’ showing their projects created through using the library and commenting on what the library means to them are your first best influencers. They tell teachers and parents who speak more often to administrators. Those fanning the campaigns against school librarians claim students are being damaged. Let your students show their successes and growth.

The Townsfolk: Build Word-of-Mouth Trust – Marcus points out it was the townsfolk who spread the lies about Elphaba. Our townsfolk, or a vocal section of them, are doing the same to us. Make a point of getting out into your community. Go to and use local businesses. Mention as if in passing that you are the librarian at the school. Make positive comments about the business. In other word, build a relationship. Look for opportunities to help them with a tech issue and/or find information they need.

It is definitely time to defy the gravity of negativity pulling us down. Tap into these lessons from Wicked. Because every librarian deserves the chance to fly.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Savor the Moments

We all lead hectic lives, rushing from one task to another, living by our to-do lists, our planners, our appointments. We are constantly under time pressure. When was the last time you savored something?

“Savor” is such a great word. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines it as “to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enoy it as much as possible.” Slowly. Sounds nearly impossible. We usually take time to do this on special occasions, but there is more in life to savor beyond festive moments.

We do this work, hopefully, because we have a big “why” that allows us to embrace and enjoy our role as school librarians. As this year winds down, and many of us look forward to time away from work, it is time to take pleasure in savoring what we do and how our “why” impacts so many people.

In his article, The Power of Savoring: A Thanksgiving Reflection for Leaders, Dr. Ivan Joseph explains how savoring stimulates dopamine, the “feel good” neural transmitter. This “enhances motivation, reinforces positive behaviors, and builds pathways in the brain associated with hope and optimism.” Joseph offers these recommendations for you to bring savoring into your work life:

  • Celebrate Wins—Big and Small – Don’t let these moments pass you by. It’s not just your major triumphs, like getting a grant or starting a new program. It includes the little ones such as having a teacher thank you for a website to use in an upcoming project. Start a “success journal” to keep track of the wins. Give yourself a mental pat on the back – and look at it when things are stressful.
  • Build Reflection into Your Routine –Make time at the end of the day to think about all that occurred. Put it on your to-do list if you have to (I know… but it will be worth it). Focus on the positives. Consider doing it on your commute home as a way to transition out of your day.
  • Use Visual Anchors – Joseph advises having your awards posted where you can see them. You undoubtedly have served on a committee and been given a certificate in commendation of your work and service. If you received a thank you letter from a parent or teacher for something you did, have it framed and mount it in your office. Look at these confirmations of the contributions you make to the educational community. And if you don’t want to print out that email filled with praise – put it in a folder called “Savor” and go back to it when you need it.
  • Apply Lessons from the Best – Pointing to corporations such as Patagonia and HubSpot, Joseph says there is a performance return from savoring. Patagonia encourages employees to take time to enjoy nature. HubSpot uses “Cheers for Peers” where employees celebrate each other. Take a walk outdoors at lunch and savor the day. Send a note to a colleague letting them know you “see” what they do. Doing so is a way for you to savor that moment and gives them a chance to savor their own contributions.

The school year is heading into winter break. Put savoring into your life. Allow yourself to enjoy holiday preparations and time with family and friends. Savor the chance to sleep in, to read for pleasure, to watch a favorite movie. Taking time to savor the good will have you enjoying life more – and bring increased productivity when it’s time to return.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Get Your Principal to Hear You

Does this sound familiar: You know what you want to make your program even more successful, but the resources necessary aren’t in your budget. You constantly hear how tight money and resources are. Is there any hope for your plans?

Yes, there is. While it’s true that budgets are notoriously challenging, there is always money somewhere. It just needs to be juggled. The skill you need to find some of this money directed at you is getting your principal to see why the funds should go to the library. Ande the best way to do this is to develop a positive relationship with the principal – preferably before you need the money. It will help immeasurably, but it is possible even if you haven’t.

Before going to your administrator, know exactly what you want and are asking for. This is not the time for vagueness. How much money is involved? Will the money be needed immediately or will the costs come in stages as the project continues? How much time is needed? Will there be anyone else involved at any point?

When you have your “ask” down pat, and you are ready to put into motion, try using Karin Hurt’s four-step approach in her article, Career Advice – How to Advocate for Yourself at Work.

  1. Connect with Empathy and Consider Their World – Your principal doesn’t have an easy job. They have the Superintendent’s list of demands. Parents can inundate with complaints. They handle the most difficult discipline issues with students. The list goes on. Just like you, your principal has goals that are important to them. Be sure you know what they are. You can figure out what it is based on what they bring to faculty meetings and other statements they make. Use your awareness of what they value and need in your opening sentence. Let them know you share these goals. As you present your “ask,” point to how it will further them.
  2. Speak Their Language – Principals and Superintendents have a language just as librarian’s do. Use words and phrases which are part of their working vocabulary. Make it a point to check the articles in Principal, the journal of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) or Principal Leadership, the journal of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition to what you learn in meetings and emails, this will give you important clues as to what concerns your principal. In reading the articles, focus on recurring words and phrases. These are part of your principal’s language. Incorporate them in your discussion with them.
  3. Consider your Timing – In my experience, this should come first. You don’t want to see them on Friday afternoon when they’re mostly thinking about wrapping up the week and looking forward to getting home. Monday mornings are likely far too busy. Check with their secretary to find the best time. They know the principal’s schedule and work mode best. When possible, schedule these over the summer. That is when they have the most time and are looking towards what can be achieved in the upcoming school year.
  4. Own the Outcome – Sometimes the answer is “no.” That doesn’t mean forever. Don’t give up. Listen carefully to why your request is being denied. Then go back and re-work your plan. Perhaps it can be broken down into more than one year. Is there a way to get donor or grant funding? Maybe there’s a new goal that you can support with this same project. When you have refined your alternative proposal. Re-schedule a meeting. Let the principal know you heard what they said and understand the validity of it. It’s harder to turn you down a second time. Additionally, by coming back you have demonstrated the plan’s importance.

Remember this truism:

  • All libraries, no matter their type, are part of a larger hosting body.
  • All libraries, no matter their type, get their funding from the hosting body.
  • That funding is dependent on the needs and wants of the hosting body.
  • Those needs and wants are determined by the hosting body, not the librarian.

Leaders master this truism and know how to define their needs and wants in terms the hosting body, in this case, the school system, value. Your principal is part of the same hosting body – and is closer to the needs and wants. Make sure your asks support their needs and the money is more likely to be found.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Quiet Doesn’t Have To Go Unnoticed

You know it’s important for others to view you as a vital part of the educational community. But what if you are an introvert? How can you get your message out when you are uncomfortable speaking up and actively sharing your accomplishments?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how extroverts can benefit from using some of the strengths of introverts (Leadership Strengths of Introverts). These are the strengths you use naturally. For example, you are likely a deep and aware listener. You are good at tuning into what the teachers are saying or hearing the places where your principal is struggling. This awareness is a powerful skill when used purposefully. Knowing what others want and need, seeing where your skills can support them, allows you to help them get it. You don’t need to talk. Just do.

In her article, How to Get Noticed at Work as a Quiet Person, Jessica Chen, author of Smart Not Loud: How to Get Noticed At Work For All the Right Reasons, provides several suggestions you can use to support your success:

  • How you talk about your wins – Telling people how great you are or how well a program did is very uncomfortable for you. This isn’t necessarily a problem, since people often discount what they hear if they feel it is bragging. What you can do that will feel more comfortable is focus on the success of those you worked with. Talk about something the students created or about the teacher who worked with you on a learning project.
  • Spend time – Which teachers are considered stars? Which ones talk up about the great things they have done? Make it a point to spend time with them and find ways to collaborate with them. They will spread the word. They always do. And this time, you will be included in what they are saying.
  • Find your differentiating factor – Chen asks you to take the time to identify what it is you like to do and comes easily to you. Chances are, this is something that is challenging and/or less fun for others. Don’t discount it because it’s easy for you. This is your superpower. Once you know what it is, stop and think about who can benefit from it.
  • Link your talent to opportunity – Listen (already one of your skills) for more opportunities where you can offer your superpower to help someone. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to call it your superpower.) Knowing how to meet people’s needs and wants is a great way to get noticed by them. When you work in collaboration, there are more people to talk about the success – which means you can say less.
  • Expand your reach – Think bigger. Look for school and district committees where your talents and skills support their long and short-term goals. Once on the committee, do what you do so well – wait, watch, and listen. You will soon see ways you can help and once you do, your contributions will be noticed.
  • Advocating for yourself – Promotion yourself can be a huge challenge for introverts. Chen suggests using the acronym ACCT to guide you.
  • “A” is for Asking for what you want – Things won’t be given to us just because we work hard. Only you know what you need. Get clear, get specific, and ask. Your ongoing success depends on your speaking up for yourself.
  • “C” is for Circling Back – Most of the time you won’t get an immediate answer to your ask. This means you need to ask again. It shows you are serious. Go back to your clarity. They didn’t respond because of their priorities, not because the answer is no.
  • “C” is for Celebrate Your Wins – This is neither boasting nor something that has to be done “loudly”. If a teacher sends you a note about how a lesson has impacted further learning by students, after thanking her, forward it to your principal. (I also keep a Success Journal to keep me empowered.)
  • “T” is for Turning Down Requests – You have to know when (and how) to say “no.” If you take on everything you will soon be overwhelmed, and your work will suffer as will your personal mental health. You won’t have the ability to advocate for yourself. Instead of saying “no”, offer alternatives.
  • Speak up in meetings – I can almost hear the panic. This can be a real challenge for introverts, but Chen has an answer: The 4 A Sequence (and only three of them require you to say anything):
  • Active Listening – Use this skill to listen for the right moment to enter the conversation.
  • Acknowledge – Your first statement should make reference to the previous speaker. You can concur if you agree or say something neutral if you are about to disagree.
  • Anchor  – Having acknowledged the last speaker, use a few words from what the person said in introducing you comment or idea. The connection makes your response fit in the context of the meeting.
  • Answer – Now say what you have to add to the conversation. Stick to the point. Make it brief.

You have amazing skills and strengths. Being an introvert doesn’t change that, but they could be hidden. Look to see which of these steps are ones you feel you could incorporate. Soon, you will feel safe stepping out of your comfort zone, and your community will see you as the leader you are.

Posted on by hildaweisburg

Becoming a Great Leader

Which one of these have you heard before?

  • Leadership is a never-ending journey.
  • If you are not growing, you are dying.
  • Good is the opposite great because if you think you are good, you will never be great.

These have been touted so many times that they have become dulled in our minds. But they are adages because they contain truth. As a leader, you can never be complacent about your achievements. Yes, be proud of what you’ve achieved and all that it took to get there, but this doesn’t mean you can stop working hard. There is always more.

Another aphorism can be your next step: Leaders don’t make followers. They make more leaders. The more school librarians who are leaders, the greater our overall impact on our school communities and on the larger local, state, and national communities. Yes, national. Thinking big is important. We need to have the national communities see school librarians for the vital role they have in education and our students’ future.

This means finding ways to bring up other leaders. In an article, Rena Harvey presents 5 Ways Leaders Can Unlock Their Potential to Inspire Others. She notes that, “becoming a great leader requires self-awareness, continuous learning, and a commitment to personal growth.”  To do so, Harvey says you must work on these five areas: understanding your core values, developing emotional intelligence, embracing lifelong learning, fostering resilience, and cultivating a vision that inspires others.

Understanding Your Core Values – Reflect on both your personal core values as a librarian as well as the ALA Code of Ethics, the Library Bill of Rights, and AASL’s Common Beliefs. Our values ground and support us as leaders, guiding us as we make decisions and choices. There is strength in knowing other librarians are holding the same values. Because they are always present, others know who you are and what they can count on from you. It shows your integrity and that of the profession.

Developing Emotional Intelligence – We are in the relationship business. Our emotional intelligence is part of what allows us to communicate effectively with others and build relationships. People respond to us because we “see” them. It helps us make decisions as we understand how it will impact others. Harvey adds that your emotional intelligence allows you to stay calm under pressure and respond to challenges with a clear mind rather than reacting impulsively.

Embracing Lifelong Learning – We are role models for lifelong learning. Anyone who has been in the profession for five or more can look back at our careers and see the many changes. We have embraced the challenges and changes, teaching ourselves when possible and seeking other ways to become proficient in the changes. We have adapted, pivoted, and helped our students, teachers, and sometimes administrators in finding their way in our ever-changing landscape. And we have looked for feedback to improve and refine that learning.

Fostering Resilience – An integral part of the changes we have had to make is becoming more resilient. We hold to our core values to anchor us. We draw on our librarian colleagues and state and national organizations for help. They strengthen us like the giant redwood trees whose shallow roots are interconnected with others, allowing them to grow to great heights in the face of high winds. Despite the challenges, we work on having a positive mindset, remembering the importance of self-care.

Cultivating a Vision That Inspires Others – I am always inspired by AASL’s Vision – “Every school librarian is a Leader; every learner has a school librarian.” In essence this blog is my contribution to inspiring other school librarians to be leaders – and great ones. Review your vision to ensure it’s big, showing your commitment to a better tomorrow. Visions are about what it would be like in a perfect world. No, you will never attain it. You are not supposed to. It’s working toward it and inspiring others to join you in your journey.

We are living in difficult times. Fortunately, you are all leaders and together we will meet the challenges of our roles and our audience. Each day we have the opportunity to find at least one way to be a stronger leader and inspire others to do the same.