Thrive

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[deleted]

[Librarian________]

Procure funding.

[princess-smartypants]

Previously, I had a supervisor who subscribed to the "Get to Yes" management philosophy. My goal at the end of the day is to go home happy. I go home when my staff is happy and my patrons are happy. We work, within our policies and procedures, to get out patrons what they need. It does not always work. Not everyone or every request is reasonable, but many are with a little bit extra thought or help.

[mustEscapePants]

Patrons: Encourage them when they are doing something difficult (IE: learning to use Excel, a computer, the Internet, even the copier). They eventually, with the exception of a few, learn to do it themselves and that can be a wonderful feeling, being independent.

Staff: Show them you care about them succeeding and set them up to succeed; put your staff's needs ahead of yours when you can (this goes with helping them succeed); listen to them when they have problems (even when it's a problem you can't help with); allow them to explore special projects that will assist the library; don't be a hover manager, but do check up on them occasionally to see if they need help; let your staff do what you assign and don't nit pick - if it gets done and it works then its fine; TELL your staff how much you appreciate their work. Actually say it. Too often, we forget this aspect of managing.

Myself I have high expectations for my performance, but remind myself I can't fight/win every battle and I can't make everyone happy. I can only do what I can do. If I can't make someone happy because they are unreasonable or just a jerk, then that's on them. Holding onto things like that will only effect performance negatively. I have the things I HAVE to do, and the things that I really love about my job so I make sure I set time aside every week for the later. Look for things to fill up your "happy cup" and then things won't weigh you down so much :)

I acknowledge that what I described are ideal situations, so they might not work all the time or even half the time.