5 - Leading people

Summary

Learning objectives

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

☑appreciate the complexity and challenges associated with leading people

☑understand the importance of relationship building and the key steps associated with its success

☑understand the concepts associated with empathy and emotional intelligence

☑begin to consider approaches to leading individuals within a library and information context

☑consider the impact of the individual leader on the motivation and morale of their staff

☑understand the concept of empowerment and its role in leadership

☑consider the importance of creating and developing teams

☑understand the relevance of the concepts of followership and servantship.

Introduction

This chapter aims to explore the diverse and complex topic of leading people – arguably the most challenging and most fundamental aspect of leadership. It can be argued that all of this book is concerned with leading people but this chapter addresses the issue directly. It begins with a discussion around the central notion of relationship building in a professional context, exploring trust and credibility and their connection with ‘authentic’ leadership. The chapter goes on to explore in detail approaches to leading individuals, including emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, empowerment and feedback. Particular attention is paid to motivation and morale and to tools and approaches such as coaching, mentoring and facilitation. The creation and development of teams is the focus of the next section, which explores several key team leadership concepts in detail. The next section considers notions of followership and servantship. The chapter concludes by raising the notion of hope, suggesting that the primary role of leaders is to foster hope within organizations. Throughout the chapter examples are provided that illustrate the application of concepts to the library and information context. Undoubtedly the challenge of leading others is one that keeps most leaders awake at night and raises the most difficulties; yet it also brings the most rewards as leaders see individuals develop, grow in their roles and shape their information service.

The challenge of leading people

The leadership of people is the leadership of complex and diverse individuals; it is frustrating, difficult, infuriating, inspiring, fulfilling and deeply motivating.