Management Speeches

1. Benefit of the Doubt. Don't assume that because something frustrates you, the person who implemented it wasn't thinking. The process probably works really well for them. Let them know you are interested in understanding how they came to their decision, and offer your perspective.

2. I like this job. When you get tired of hearing complaints about the organization, remind them that you like your job and inquire why they continue their association by staying employed at an institution they revile?

3. 3 months, Six Months. It takes you three months on a job to feel comfortable, six months to feel confident. Don't set your expectations unrealistically high. You aren't supposed to come in knowing everything. This is the learning curve.

4. Appropriate cost of doing business. Institutions need to understand the cost of doing business. Do not work excessive overtime. Take your lunch. It is only hurting the organziation by setting unrealistic expectations as to the cost of doing business.

5. Managing up. If you are having trouble prioritizing, don't be afraid to give a status report and ask for expectations.
Boss: "I need you to do this."
You: "I have these four other things you assigned me; what can I leave off doing?"
Boss: "Well, I need you to do all five things."
You: "I can do A, B, and C this week, or A and E."
Boss: "Could you do A, half of D, and E this week, and B, C, and the rest of D next week?"
You: "Yes."
Boss: "Excellent."

6. Ownership/responsibility: I don't have a cute speech for this one. It seems the people who need this speech wouldn't get it if they heard it.

7. Let it go/Line in the sand: Moving forward, I never want to hear about X again.

8. They'll never get it: Sometimes, you just have to accept that there are folks out there who will never understand why they are being disciplined or fired. Your job is NOT to make them understand. Your job is to move through the process.

9. Gadlfy: Once you have been assigned a task or project, it is up to YOU to drive it to completion Sometimes this means being a gadfly and buzzing around colleagues, reminding them to finish their piece.

10. Always say Yes (Never say No): Especially in public service situations, always offer what you can do rather than focusing on what you cannot do. Never say no, always offer an alternative.

11. This job does not require physical sacrifice: From an ex-Army officer turned librarian, "I worked for 10 years in an organization that legitimately & legally asked its employees to be willing to sacrifice themselves physically for the mission. This is NOT such an organization."

12. Solution Potluck: It is ok to go to your boss with problems, just make sure you have a potential solution in hand. Even if you want to brainstorm with them, do not go to the party empty handed. Even if your solution is lame, at least your boss will know you tried.


13. Problem solving via poetry: Some folks have trouble harnessing their ideas, either because they are too articulate (did they really think we would read the entire 6 page memo?) or because they are not articulate enough (complaining about something is not synonymous with showing concern). Just like the form of a poem (villanelle, sonnet, haiku) can structure the content, so can this trick: index cards. Hand them out and have people write problems on one side, solutions on the other. Or for micro-managers, write the task and delegatee on one side, instructions on the other. The limited space is all you get, and will force you to be concise. Unlike this post.

14. Demystify the library: Just as it is inappropriate to use certain endearments for your special someone in public, don't bombard people with library lingo. Rather than say "snoogly-woogly is meeting me for num-nums" or "patrons are capable of activating recall status on items" try saying, "yes my partner is meeting me for lunch" or "yes, I can get that for you." It will be less embarrassing--for everyone!

15. Sweet Smell of Success:

16. Managing into Next Job:

17. Calm and Confident, Not Defensive and Nervous:

18. Optimism is not a management strategy.

19. Retirement is not an organizational growth plan. We cannot wait for folks to retire in order to get someone in who gets it. We work with smart people. Our job is to help them understand NOW how thngs are changing.