"Leading from the Middle," and Other Contrarian Essays on Library Leadership

"Leading from the Middle," and Other Contrarian Essays on Library Leadership
John Lubans, Jr.


Publication Date 06/2010
Pages 192
Volumes 1
Size 6 1/8x9 1/4

1-59884-577-2 9781598845778
eBook Call905 946 9588 1-59884-578-0 9781598845785



Description
This compilation reveals how followers help an organization get better and how effective followers—leading from the middle—are essential to the best kind of leadership.

While liberating management theories are well known to the profession, the traditional command-and-control structure prevails, leaving many libraries as reactive—not proactive—institutions. How can libraries create encouraging workplaces that are collaborative in decision making and action taking, have a clear mission, and are committed to bringing out the best in each person?

In "Leading from the Middle," and Other Contrarian Essays on Library Leadership, John Lubans, Jr., argues for democratic library organizations with shared leadership and decision making by leaders and followers. His book distills 15 years worth of leadership essays to advance a theory of a collaborative and empowering leadership, touching on such subjects as teamwork, empowerment, "followership," challenges, values, coaching, self-management, collaboration, communication, and techniques and tools.

Lubans's 36 essays draw new and insightful perspectives on leadership from disparate realms: travel, sports, music, retail businesses, and airlines. All of the essays have been edited and revised for this book and many have been extensively updated with new material and epilogues. The essays flow from the author's experience as a manager/leader, his teaching of the topic, and his research into and experimentation with organizational leadership. Insights and suggestions are tempered by a candid reflection on successes achieved and mistakes made.


Testimonials
"Lubans' essays are highly readable and, in contrast to other books on library management and leadership, he integrates into each narrative insight from a variety of professions and pursuits that are far from the traditional library world. His ideas are applicable in almost any library setting, and instead of thinking ‘outside the box,’ Lubans draws a new framework for thinking that doesn’t include boxes or other impediments. Whether it is experience gained from the Outward bound program, travel to other countries, management processes at Southwest Airlines, or organization of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Lubans uses lessons from all that inform his ideas about leading ‘from the middle.’"
-Eric C. Shoaf, Assistant Dean, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries

"John Lubans was the most consistently popular feature writer for Library Administration & Management during my term as editor. His insights were always perceptive; his opinions were thought-provoking; and his anecdotes were illustrative and entertaining. John Lubans has long been a voice, advocate, and source of practical advice for the oft-overlooked department heads and assistant directors who keep our libraries running from day-to-day. This collection of his works captures the breadth of his intellect in a way that will benefit librarians, library administrators, and library and information science students contemplating careers in library management."

-Gregg Sapp, Dean of Library and Media Services, The Evergreen State College


"The minds of the staff are the most valuable resources of a library. Yet, library managers continually fail to liberate this potential. John Lubans’ writing in Library and Administrative Management brings this truth and the means for improvement to light through engaging stories and descriptions of personal experiences. I am delighted to see that these essays will become available to a broader audience."
-Robert F. Moran, Jr., editor, Library and Administration Management 2002 -2004, Librarian Emeritus Indiana University.

Title Features
• Case studies, self-help quizzes, and discussion of management classics augment essay content
• Photographs and illustrations emphasize points made within selected essays
Highlights
• Offers a practitioner's experiences and reflections
• Teaches how to become an effective leader in spite of yourself, as well as how to be an effective follower
• Offers alternative ways to make organizational progress based on lessons drawn from other industries

---