tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19645501.post6954305996116857274..comments2014-06-23T09:45:31.987-04:00Comments on Special Info & Musings for Ottawa Information Professionals: Commentary: Extraordinary LeadershipCLA-CASLIS Ottawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17609454165225022759noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19645501.post-83291685761974623282009-04-07T16:26:00.000-04:002009-04-07T16:26:00.000-04:00In response to a recent anonymous posting on leade...In response to a recent anonymous posting on leadership in the federal government information management arena, I offer the following analysis of ways in which I believe leaders at LAC ...<BR/><BR/>- <B>Innovate</B>: The RK Initiative is an innovative answer to the challenge of ensuring that the record of government, including both unpublished and published materials, is managed to track decision-making for the benefit of Canadians.<BR/>- <B>Ask what or why</B>: "What is government information?", "Does it make sense to include published information?" are questions being asked and answered. Leaders have developed a compelling argument that addressing the issue holistically ensures that the right information is managed. This message has significant support at senior levels across government and could be used by smart managers to position their service as a key enabler of government.<BR/>- <B>Focus on people</B> : Leaders at LAC have used fora such as the Federal Libraries Forum and Managers' Discussion Group to regularly inform about the progress of the RK Initiative for the past 18 months. Dialogue has been almost totally lacking; if people won't discuss, we can't make them. Apparently "leaders" in the federal library community just didn't think it was interesting or relevant to them until it was way too late.<BR/>- <B>Do the right things</B> : Leaders at LAC have responded to the issues raised by the Auditor General's report on managing information and to concerns expressed by DMs; they have developed innovative solutions; they have consulate broadly with decision-makers; they have worked with partners. Their goal is to affirm the ongoing need for federal library service by embedding the idea in government policy.<BR/>- <B>Develop</B> : Leaders at LAC have encouraged dialogue with federal librarians (without much success) and have put up with an astonishing amount of disrespect and plain aggressive rudeness while trying to move collective thinking about the future of library service and the possibility of a new service paradigm.<BR/>- <B>Inspire trust</B> : This is a two-way street. Leaders are not gods; they are open to discussion. But they do not automatically accept the status quo. Government needs managers who really listen to a hypothesis, who pull down or step around the barrier of "professionalism" that may be making it difficult to hear the message, who act like public servants and consider the Big Picture rather than focusing on narrow parochial, sectoral issues.<BR/>- <B>Have a longer term perspective</B> : Leaders at LAC are projecting 5, 10 and 15 years out; looking for ways to ensure continued relevance of information service in the digital age.<BR/>- <B>Challenge the status quo</B> : There is no question that leaders have been doing this; it's the reason why there is so much push-back!<BR/>- <B>Eye on the horizon</B> : Leaders at LAC are plugged into senior committees and are aware of other horizontal initiatives and pots boiling in central agencies; they are constantly positioning library services to be relevant in an environment which is pushing change, efficiency, effectiveness and, most importantly, money saving.<BR/>- <B>Originate</B> : Leaders' response to the churn in the government policy and service environments is to propose new ways of doing business.<BR/>- <B>Are their own person</B> : Not all leaders at LAC may have a background in information management, or be trained librarians, but they are experts in understanding government, know how to position issues to achieve horizontal improvements, and are committed to this portfolio.<BR/>- <B>Show originality</B> : Leaders at LAC have demonstrated a strong ability to think outside the box and propose solutions that can take library service to the next level.<BR/> <BR/>And additionally ...<BR/><BR/>- <B>Show grace under pressure</B> : Leaders at LAC are striving to bring their best game on a daily basis, despite constant undermining and disrespect from the very group they are committed to supporting.<BR/>- <B>Demonstrate courage</B> : We own what we think, write, talk about. We do not indulge in anonymous public rants.<BR/><BR/>Deane Zeeman, MLS<BR/>Gestionnaire par intérim, Secrétariat pour la coordination des bibliothèques fédérales * A/Manager, Federal Libraries Coordination Secretariat<BR/>Bibliothèque et Archives Canada * Library and Archives Canada<BR/>550, boul. de la Cité * 550 de la Cité Blvd<BR/>Gatineau QC Canada K1A ON4<BR/>deane.zeeman@lac-bac.gc.ca<BR/>(819) 934-4358 | (819) 934-7534<BR/>Gouvernement du Canada * Government of Canada <BR/>www.collectionscanada.gc.caDeane Zeemannoreply@blogger.com