Feb 20th, 2011
Just about 5 months into the new gig and my world seems to be calming down enough for me to enjoy this ride – both hands in the air – style. The new job is, in a word, challenging. Challenging in an incredibly awesome way. I feel like the work I do is important and [...]
Aug 25th, 2010
Every story comes to an end. I haven’t been posting much at all because life and work have totally trumped blogging. I wish I could have found more time to write about the library-related thoughts that have been swirling around in my head these past few months, but I just didn’t have it in me. [...]
I’ve been involved in some great management conversations lately that have me thinking about two sort of related, but not entirely related ideas: the management double standard and the idea of a halo. Allow me to explain: Management Double Standard: In discussion, someone made the observation/point that an employee asking a supervisor/manager certain types of [...]
May 3rd, 2010
I am often asked what’s the hardest part of being a manager and my response is always, “having to have ‘the talks.’” I’m referring to those difficult conversations that no one likes having, but are necessary in order to improve performance, service, morale, attitude or any other host of issues that need to be brought [...]
Apr 8th, 2010
At 5:30 pm EST, NCSU Libraries will begin circulating iPads as part of the Technology Lending Program. As part of the launch event 5 students will be blogging their experiences using the iPads as they take them to their classes, do their work, and generally goof around the web over the next week. They are [...]
Mar 13th, 2010
As managers we ask a lot of our staff. We ask them to roll with changes in processes, services, work spaces, sometimes even the department or units they work in. We ask this and expect them to receive it with grace, flexibility and a smile. If you’re a good manager you’ve planned ahead and are [...]
Feb 8th, 2010
I’ve not been posting a lot lately because life has trumped blogging more than usual. My grandmother (Nannie) passed away last Tuesday night. It was the end of a long 6 months of rapidly declining mental and physical health. The truth is, my Nannie mostly left us this past summer. Her mental state was quickly [...]
Jan 12th, 2010
I’ve had this post sitting in my drafts folder for a while now. One of my new year’s resolutions was to work through or delete draft blog posts. This one seemed important enough not to delete and it came up in conversation this afternoon. Ideally we strive for a healthy work/life balance. We all want [...]
Jan 5th, 2010
Yesterday, Colleen and I were walking back from lunch and we ran into one of our staff whom I had not seen since before the holidays. She had a very good holiday season as she became engaged, bought a new home and new furnishings. Naturally, she was beyond happy. You could see her happiness coming [...]