Best of Core Forum: Unlocking Team Potential: Leading Effective Library Teams

Description:   Teams are an increasingly important workplace construct, allowing libraries to tap into staff potential to tackle complex work in our current, dynamic library environment. The combined talent, experience, and diversity of teams create the potential for greater problem-solving and effective work than individual-focused work goals, yet teams often struggle to succeed. Leading teams can be challenging. Team leaders may not have previous experience leading teams or management training. They often lead teams made up of members from across the library – not just direct reports--and potentially across multiple departments or organizations. Team effectiveness requires creating the right conditions for team success. This interactive session will introduce participants to the concept of team effectiveness and how to maximize team success by designing, supporting, and leading effective teams. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on a current team, considering key elements that lead to effectiveness, and engage in a case scenario to begin to apply what they have learned.

Learning Outcomes: 

At the end of the webinar, attendees will: -

·        Identify key factors that contribute to team effectiveness in library settings.

·        Develop strategies to create an inclusive and supportive team culture.

·        Reflect on leadership that inspires and motivates teams.

Who Should Attend: 

This workshop would be valuable for anyone leading or aspiring to lead teams in a library or library-adjacent setting. It will provide a reflective approach applicable to teams of all types, along with practical ideas for real-life scenarios.

Presenter:

Colleen Cuddy, PhD, MLS, MA, is an academic and researcher specializing in Organizational Development and Team Science. She is the Director of Research and Academic Collaboration at Lane Medical Library, Stanford School of Medicine. Dr. Cuddy strives to understand and improve the dynamics of team interactions and organizational structures within academic and clinical research settings by advancing and applying Team Science. Her work integrates a variety of methodologies to study team processes with a focus on practical applications that enhance team effectiveness and foster organizational innovation.

Tech Requirements

Core Webinars are held in Zoom. Speakers or a headset for listening to the presentation are required. You may interact with the presenter and ask questions through text-based chat. Closed captioning is available in the Zoom platform. The webcast will be recorded and the link to the recording shared with registrants shortly after the live event.