Leadership Development for All

Leadership development on all levels is important to an organization’s strength, flexibility, and overall long-term success. This session will assist library leaders in growing a culture that develops leaders with a multi-step strategy targeted at transforming employees at various stages in their career.

The Orange County Library System (OCLS) will share details of their leadership development programs for emerging leaders, middle management, and senior leaders. Each step on their development path is designed to ensure that the Library’s leaders understand the mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives of OCLS. Emerging leaders include any staff member looking for professional development opportunities that will aid them in growing a skill set to help them move up in the organization, or strengthen them in their current role. Middle management opportunities include a rotation program in which managers are challenged with employing new strategies to deal with change and various management styles. Senior leadership opportunities include participating in an in-depth, long term approach to leadership development that affects change in both the environment and the leader. Select high-potential senior leaders participate in a group that solves real, high-level complex Library issues working within a diverse, cross functional group.

To have long-term success, libraries must develop a culture of learning and self-development to foster strong and confident leaders. Staff on every level must be engaged in these opportunities, and middle and senior leaders must be pushed to expand their knowledge.

While OCLS’ experience is specific to public libraries, leaders from organizations of all types will leave with tools to implement a culture of leadership development that works for them.