Smart and Innovative are Not Enough
One of the great things about teaching a course in alternative LIS career paths is that it provides a great excuse to invite really smart people in the information profession to share their wisdom with all of us. We've heard from public library directors, information brokers, special librarians, library consultants, and a former LIS professional now applying her info/research skills as a niche-market travel agent.
Recently, I and my students had the opportunity to hear from Pat Wagner, a nationally-known trainer and management consultant to libraries, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits. Pat is known for her wit, energy, smarts, and...complete willingness to tell you when you're being really dumb. Consequently, most of us have learned over the years to pay attention to Pat's ideas, even (especially?) when they go against conventional wisdom.
In her recent student discussion, Pat focused on understanding how organizations work and where we all fit in. She stressed that being smart and innovative was a good start, but only a good start — in order to build a successful and accomplished career, you also have to be realistic about how to navigate the work environment. Think of it as emotional intelligence for your career.
Pat's reality check comprised about two dozen key points — essentially, attitudes and expectations that will serve you well regardless of what type of organization you're working within. Below are the points Pat says we should all be scoring ourselves on; how do you stack up?
- I always am building collaborative and sustainable relationships, inside and outside my career path. The person I am nice to today could be my boss tomorrow.
- I am the theater director, not the star: I elicit the best from the people I work with and for.
- I understand the realities of local practice. What I learn in graduate school might be meaningless in any given library or institution.
- I know how to earn the trust and respect of my bosses, co-workers and employees.
- I know that feuds and moods are self-indulgent. No prima donnas, no grumps.
- I like library users specifically, and people in general. I don't work at a library to hide out from humans.
- I have no status issues about my roles in the library, no matter how old or successful I get.
- I know I have to earn my pay, every day. No entitlement issues, no matter how old or successful I get.
- I accept that the more secure the workplace, the more constraining the hierarchy. Large (and well-paying) public, academic, school and corporate employers usually are the most constraining.
- I accept the cost/benefit ratio of most jobs. I don't whine; I productively make changes as I can.
- I am an expert at the governance structure of my workplace: I know who makes decisions, and how.
- I know I am always auditioning for my next gig and that no position is permanent.
I anticipate that:
- Few people will defer to me because I have a graduate degree.
- No single factor will guarantee I get the jobs or recognition I want or deserve.
- I will receive promotions and raises that have nothing to do with my abilities as a librarian.
- Flexibility, reliability, hard work, good humor and a calm demeanor will probably have more to do with my success than being smart or innovative.
- I will make a lot of mistakes, and many of them I won't know about, because other people fix them.
- I will be right, they will be wrong, and no one will care or remember.
- I will be asked to take responsibility for mistakes that are not my fault.
- I will have to work with and for people I don't like.
- I will be asked to do things I did not sign up to do.
- My workplace will change in ways that are unexpected. I will never be 100% prepared.
So how did you score?
No matter where you came in, I'd suggest you keep these attitudes, actions, and expectations in mind as you go through your career. And one more piece of advice: if you ever have a chance to hear Pat speak at a conference or in your workplace, don't pass it up. You'll absorb lots of important insights, even while you're laughing — always the best way to learn. You can find Pat at www.pattern.com.