Tooey Mary Joan M J
J Med Libr Assoc. 2017 Jan;105(1):88. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2017.127.
Are there key attributes of leaders? Extrovert versus introvert? Charismatic? Detail oriented? Visionary? How do past leaders of the Medical Library Association (MLA) stack up? What leadership skills will MLA's leaders need in a complex information future? Leadership attributes of MLA's past and current presidents were studied to determine the common characteristics shared among these leaders. An examination of the leadership literature identified critical leadership characteristics essential to successful future leaders. MLA's past, current, and future leadership development efforts were examined. Finally, all members were encouraged to consider leadership with a small "l" and become leaders based on their own strengths, interests, and environments.
A text analysis was performed on past presidential profiles, the past twenty-five years of MLA presidents were surveyed, and conversations with MLA's current presidents were held to determine commonalities among leadership characteristics. These were compared and contrasted with characteristics in the current leadership literature regarding the qualities of future leaders.
The text analysis of past presidential profiles was not particularly revelatory regarding leadership qualities of early MLA presidents although several generalized traits emerged including collaborative traits; management traits such as effectiveness and efficiency, innovation, and vision; personal traits such as humor and energy; and finally, a passion for the work were revealed. These aligned with traits identified in the survey of the past twenty-five years of MLA presidents and with the thoughts of the president-elect, president, and past president. Additional qualities identified were communication skills, political acumen, creativity, courage, and respect for the opinions and concerns of all members. MLA's current leadership programs were reviewed in the context of examining traits needed by leaders of the future. A lack of focus on the needs of middle managers and the development of individual leadership skills was identified.
As an organization, MLA should focus on leadership development in contrast to management training to prepare members as leaders in careers and work that may be vastly different than current situations. Equipping members with the skills enabling them to lead and thrive in these diverse situations, whether as the heads of programs or middle managers, or exploring and empowering individual leadership development while maintaining a passion for the profession, will be essential.
领导者是否具备关键特质？外向型与内向型？有魅力？注重细节？有远见？医学图书馆协会（MLA）的历任领导者表现如何？在复杂的信息时代，MLA的领导者需要哪些领导技能？对MLA历任和现任主席的领导特质进行研究，以确定这些领导者共有的特征。审视领导力文献，找出对未来成功领导者至关重要的关键领导特质。研究MLA过去、现在和未来的领导力发展工作。最后，鼓励所有成员以小写的“l”来考量领导力，并基于自身优势、兴趣和环境成为领导者。
对历任主席简介进行文本分析，调查MLA过去25年的主席，与MLA现任主席进行交谈，以确定领导特质中的共性。将这些与当前领导力文献中关于未来领导者素质的特质进行比较和对照。
对历任主席简介的文本分析在揭示早期MLA主席的领导素质方面并非特别有启发性，不过出现了一些概括性特质，包括协作特质；管理特质，如有效性和效率、创新及远见；个人特质，如幽默和活力；最后还展现出对工作的热情。这些与对MLA过去25年主席的调查中所确定的特质以及当选主席、现任主席和前任主席的想法相符。还确定了其他特质，如沟通技巧、政治敏锐度、创造力、勇气以及对所有成员意见和关切的尊重。在审视未来领导者所需特质的背景下，对MLA当前的领导力项目进行了评估。发现存在对中层管理人员需求和个人领导技能发展关注不足的问题。
作为一个组织，MLA应专注于领导力发展而非管理培训，以使成员成为职业和工作中的领导者，这些职业和工作可能与当前情况大不相同。使成员具备在这些不同情况下引领并蓬勃发展的技能至关重要，无论他们是项目负责人、中层管理人员，还是在探索和推动个人领导力发展的同时保持对该职业的热情。
