While reading one of the numerous titles on non-profit management and leadership, the text I perused this morning asked if I knew the difference between managing and leading and if I understood that I needed to do both? I know we have all read various definitions of these terms - but I was struck by the one offered by my current read.
Managers focus on the here and now. Did the report get done, do we have sufficient staff to cover for tomorrow, are my customers leaving happy and satisfied, are we doing a good job? Managers are all about the here and now - and that's a good thing. As managers, we need to be certain that the here and now is addressed; that we are prepared for what we know is coming, that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing in an excellent fashion.
Leaders - on the other hand - are about everything but the here and now. Leaders focus on the future and how we are going to get there. Leaders develop a vision, the long range goals, the "big picture". They develop it, cultivate it, feed it and nurture it, and then sell it. They share the vision, get others to buy into the vision, and (to use one of my very favorite phrases) they get everyone "rowing in the same direction."
As a library director - especially if you work in a small and/or rural library - you are both. You have to be. You do not have to do this alone, you should have input and support from your board or Friends or staff or even the customers. But when it comes to where the buck stops - look no further than your desk.
You are your Library's Manager. You build schedules, hire new staff, arrange programs, check out items, handle customer service issues, answer reference questions and fix the plumbing.
But you are also your Library’s Leader - you understand at a visceral level where you library is going, what it could become and (most importantly) what it will take to get it there. You must sell your vision.
Are you a manager or a leader? The successful Entrepreneurial Librarian has to answer "Yes".
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