Secret+One---Love+Your+Employees

Summary in progress... Love your employees takes a genuine look at types of leaders and what they do or don't do as it applies to their organization. Fullan views older theories on work habits and ethics and applies them to production and how they demonstrate the companies of now. The reflections on 'Children First' philosophies are not only interesting, but demonstrate how schools employing these policies are not making long term improvements. His examples include a quote "the quality of the education system cannot exceed the quality of the teachers" (Fullan p. 22) This leads into why 'Children First' philosophy has a good mind-set, but can't be the only part. The staff needs investment of ideas, care and learning, also. The leaders of an organization must provide opportunity for the employees to succeed. Fullan says "It is helping all employees find meaning, increased skill development, and personal satisfaction in making contributions that simultaneously fulfill their own goals and the goals of the organization" (p. 25). His ideas continue throughout the chapter to show the best companies in the world pay attention to all stakeholders equally. (customers, employees, investors, partners, and society) This secret is easy to connect to the job of librarians and schools, especially those in large schools with paraprofessionals who help them. We want to do what is best for the students first, but we have to keep in mind the other staff and parents. A head librarian must properly understand the role as a librarian, an administrator, and manager of resources including those of human nature. The three factors for motivating others (fair treatment--enabling achievement--camaraderie) should be inherent in all librarians as they work with their authority figures (administration), staff (employees), partners (teachers), investors (parents) to provide the best for the customers (students). Fullan mentions that you have to believe in equality not just superficially, but deep down. His ultimate example is how Shackleton put the well being of his crew first and all of them survived the disastrous expedition to the South Pole as where other crews perished. This secret is one of the corner stones to build a strong and lasting library media center.

page 22 number four, does this mean anything to libraries?

MELISSA: Number four on page 22 will definitely help guide a librarian's best practices. I believe this is an important principle for the librarian, especially in situations where there are multiple professionals working in the library media center. For example, my own current library situation right now involves me plus a para, and it is important that I manage her efficiently, effectively, and fairly. Furthermore, in a situation such as the one at the new high being built in my district, there will be at least one and, hopefully, two teacher librarians and at least three paras to help run the library smoothly. The head librarian needs to understand the role of both librarian and as an administrator and manage their human resources properly.

page 23 3rd paragraph wow...'children first stance misleading and incomplete' YIKES (this does effect librarians) NATALIE: Fullan also talks about how the "children first" theory doesn't work because it forgets about the importance of quality teachers. His examples were interesting. page 24 not for faint-hearted head for door statement (not in agreement here I think an open leader will talk to employees straight and if it is not going to be easy...then maybe the faint-hearted will want an easier path or an out) Page 25...Carl Cohn in thee first full paragraph sounds like a great guy to work for....invest in employees capacity building...create conditions for them to succeed NATALIE: yes I agree that leaders need to create conditions for them to succeed. It's also: "find[ing] meaning, increas[ing] skill development, and personal satisfaction in making contributions that simulataneously fulfill their own goals and the goals of the organization" (p. 25). How can this fit in with the staff of a public school library? Page 26 onto 27 Target beats Walmart! yeah Page 28 lower paragraph....'it is the culture of the entire organization that counts, shaped by the CEO but manifested by the leaders at all levels' (TeachLibrarian is level leader but their principal creates the shape in which to work) page 30-1 recognize a dynamic process with participation and communication by all stakeholders...that includes all teachers in a school and is challenging for LMS to include all. ...continue to higher wages of good companies is less turnover...(how long is a librarian supposed to be in one school...is there a limit before it is too long?) NATALIE: I always find it strange when companies don't hire a more qualified person over a person straight out of college in hopes of saving payroll budget. Longevity in a company is definitely more telling of a company's success. The work environment needs to be more than higher wages-a person can always find that somewhere else. What Fullan fails to emphasize here are things like benefits, work environment such as rules and policies, opportunity for advancement, and celebration of personal and group achievements. page 33 wilson's real achievement was a leader (not financial) hmmmm page 35 Ontario teacher's leave after 3 years...amazing early retirement not happening also great... page 36 shackleton crew first and mention of some management books superficially putting employees first......bottom of page 3factors of employee motivation--fair treatment--enabling achievement--camaraderie leadership completely embedded here

NATALIE: This is just an idea here, let me know what you guys think. Just trying to think about how we will pull this all together for the final project. I don't like the final picture but that can easily be changed. Take a look: media type="custom" key="4440383"

MELISSA: Natalie- I like the idea of doing an Animoto presentation for the final project. I have had so much fun making book trailers ever since our tech class this summer. I like how you got it started. I say we would just need to put in each of the six steps to make it complete. Chris --I like this idea, but have never used it. I think we should look at the guidelines of what we are presenting. If it is a simple review or book talk this video is perfect, if we are to analyze the book or present its usefulness how can we add more than just quotes to help establish the ideas? Also how big is the learning curve for my contributions? Side note...I am digging the book it is great for reflection on how things are being done....I wonder if he reads Dan Airley?