In this second post on coaching as a leadership skill for ACRLog, I discussed some of the common narratives that cause people to be reluctant to move into a leadership role. And then I examined some of the similarities between coaching as a leadership style and components of critical pedagogy.

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Empowering Library Leaders Through Coaching and Curiosity

In March, I joined Dawn Brushammar to talk about my journey from academic librarian to leadership coach for library professionals. We discussed the importance of curiosity, the challenges of leadership, and how librarians can translate their skills into new contexts.

Learn more about:

• handling difficult conversations,
• the difference between coaching and advising,
• my thoughts on the future of librarianship in a rapidly changing world,
• some of my experiences moving to a new country, and
• my coaching programs designed to empower library leaders.

Click through to listen on the website or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

I wrote about some of the different ways the term “coaching” has been used in different leadership contexts, and introduced the definition from the International Coaching Federation. I also included a few examples of what an ICF-aligned approach to coaching looks like in practice for library leaders.

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I talked with Lorene Kennard at the Librarian Linkover podcast again earlier this month! This time, we focused on how working with a coach can support your growth as a leader.

Some of the topics we talked about included:

• Differences between coaching and other forms of professional support
• Why you need this support now more than ever
• One coaching exercise that you can try out on your own
• And what suggestions I have for librarians who are considering starting their own business

Click through to listen on the website or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

I joined Jennifer Askey at the Mindful Academy podcast to talk about leadership coaching and the overlap between libraries and higher ed.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why leadership is a skill you must develop, not something you’re born with.
• How “vocational awe” contributes to burnout in higher ed.
• Practical ways coaching skills help leaders navigate change and conflict.
• Why leading with curiosity fosters trust, collaboration, and resilience.

Click through to listen on the website or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

I joined Emily Weak at the Hiring Librarians podcast in August to talk about how libraries can do a better job of setting new leaders up for success. And how you can set yourself up for success in a new role, if your new library doesn’t provide all of the support you need. We talked about:

• what coaching is and how it compares to other forms of support
• what’s the difference between leadership and management
• what organizations need to do to set up new leadership hires for success
• and more!

Click through to listen on the website or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

In April, I talked with Lorene Kennard on the Librarian Linkover podcast. We talked about the benefits of hiring a leadership coach, as well as the differences between managerial coaching and professional coaching.

Click through to visit the website or check it out wherever you get your podcasts!