Congratulations, Kellie! I'm still a fairly new director myself, but a couple things stand out quickly:
1. Spend the first 6 months learning your new environment and building relationships (internal and external). No matter how many ideas you have or how many changes need to be implemented, be patient and wait. People can't trust the process until they trust the leader. That means you need to be very aware of how you're coming across to others in the little, day-to-day things.
2. Communicate constantly. You basically can't overcommunicate, especially during times of uncertainty or change. Explain everything you're doing and that's happening. Be discreet when you need to, but as transparent as you can possibly be. Engage staff in the decision-making process when you can, so they can "own" some part of it and be more invested. But seriously, communicate, communicate, communicate - in writing, verbally, nonverbally, to everyone, all the time. Some days you'll feel like all you do is relay information, package it for the right audiences and answer "why" all day!
Try Michael D. Watkins' book
The First 90 Days. Great strategies for getting off on the right foot!
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Julie Phillips
Library Director
Botetourt County Libraries
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Original Message:
Sent: Oct 30, 2020 08:06 AM
From: Kellie Barbato
Subject: Advice for a Brand New Director
Dear fine Core colleagues,
My name is Kellie Barbato, and after being laid off from an Access Services Librarian role in May, I have found myself in my first library director role at the Columbia, SC campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. I am hoping that all you "seasoned" directors might think back to when you were first a director, and answer this: what do you know now that you wish you knew then?
Thanks a lot!
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Kellie Barbato
Director, Lineberger Library
Lenoir-Rhyne University
She/Her/Hers
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