What Questions Work for You?

By on May 21, 2013 in Leadership Development, Organizational Development

Last week we posted ten “elite” interview questions that are used at major corporations. What questions do you ask in interviews? Why? I am always surprised that candidates seem surprised at the standard, “Tell us a bit about yourself.” How can someone be unprepared for this when everyone knows that it will be asked? Conclusion? [...]

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Top 10 Elite Job Interview Questions

By on May 13, 2013 in Leadership Development, Organizational Development

As CEOs and HR directors focus more on leadership, leadership potential and leadership development, we might consider some of these questions. Remember that interview questions should rarely be asked simply for curiosity. There are usually expected answers, but less factual information or looking for the “one right answer” than insights to analysis, evaluation and presentation. [...]

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How to Close Down Conversations

By on May 8, 2013 in Leadership Development, Organizational Development

Knowing library culture, I probably should have known better. Two weeks ago I posted some “thoughtful questions” about library conferences and accountability. Nothing wrong with that. But then I went to a library conference. Went with a dozen or so graduate students to discuss professional socialization and trend-spotting. Invited association leaders to speak to them [...]

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What is Wrong with Our Associations? Part II

By on April 30, 2013 in Leadership Development

What do remarkable associations do that others don’t? Well, wouldn’t you know it? There is some research in this area. There are seven measures that are common, stated below with a few comments and observations by me. Commitment to Purpose 1. A Customer Service Culture—“We’re here to serve you.” 2. Alignment of Products and Services [...]

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What is Wrong with Our Associations? Part I

By on April 24, 2013 in Leadership Development

Recently I received a message from a colleague: “I’d like to see you write something that encourages a new approach to associations like xxx. I have totally lost interest in being a part of these groups where it seems like everyone continues to whine, complain, and pontificate over the same old stuff while the ground [...]

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9 Beliefs of Remarkably Successful People

By on April 16, 2013 in Leadership Development

Jeff Haden makes some very interesting points in his post on the Inc. site. I m not sure that I consider myself “remarkably” successful but I have had and continue to have a very rewarding (on several levels) career and his list resonated with me. Time doesn’t fill me. I fill time. I wish that [...]

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What’s Wrong with This Picture?

By on April 10, 2013 in Community Development

I just received my copy of Municipal World, a national magazine about municipal affairs. It is a wonderful way to stay current with the issues facing mayors, city councilors and administrators. This month had two articles of specific interest. “Lifelong Learning” was described as “One of the new trends for smart cities is acknowledging their [...]

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One Way to Enhance Staff Development

By on April 2, 2013 in Leadership Development

At one time in my career I had a primary responsibility for staff development and training. This was a labour-intensive activity requiring sophisticated design of programs, support and follow-up. We eventually had a senior administrator and five professionals, plus support staff, in the division—a situation far removed from reality in most library systems. Now apply [...]

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Is There a Library Ecology

By on March 27, 2013 in Organizational Development

I would like to think that there is a library ecology. Well, let’s talk about the blather. We say there is an information ecology. A library ecology. We are only as strong as each other. We share. We value open access and shared resources. Blah, blah, blah… Then we watched as school libraries closed. No [...]

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Community-led Libraries

By on March 5, 2013 in Leadership Development

Thanks to John Pateman, CEO of the Thunder Bay Public Library, for this posting. John is the co-author, with Ken Williment, of the just-published ) Developing Community-Led Public Libraries: Evidence from the UK and Canada  (Ashgate, 2013). Everyone working in libraries, and members of the public, know that something is amiss in libraries… Our brand [...]

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