Are you a new manager or a manager who would like a refresher? We have not one, but three sessions for you. Our March Instructor Spotlight is Tiffany Duck. Tiffany teaches three classes throughout March and April:
Self-Care Strategies for Library Managers and Supervisors on Wednesday, March 5, from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Essentials for New Managers: First Steps and Navigating Your First 90 Days on Wednesday, March 12, from 2 - 3 p.m.
Essentials for New Managers: A Guide to Communicating with Confidence on Wednesday, April 9, from 2 - 3 p.m.
Tiffany Duck is a consultant and owner of LitDext LLC, a literacy and information services company. She has thirteen years of experience as a public library manager in various types of library systems. As an Executive Team member, she built long-lasting relationships with community ambassadors and partners, and helped to develop spaces that reflected community needs. She facilitated many innovative and diverse initiatives that expanded the libraries’ reach into the community. Tiffany is an adjunct instructor in the Library and Information Science programs at UNCG and the University of Alabama.
We recently chatted with Tiffany as part of our Instructor Spotlight Series to learn more about the upcoming sessions.
Hello Tiffany, first, thank you for teaching not one but three courses for the Essentials for New Managers series for Lyrasis members and students with the third class being Essentials for New Managers: Growing as a Leader: Managing Conflict. Can you tell us what drives your passion for teaching management?
TD: My passion for teaching management comes from my own journey starting out as a new manager and realizing that the formal training I received barely scratched the surface of what I actually needed to succeed. I had to learn many lessons the hard way by navigating difficult situations through trial and error and seeking out mentors.
Now, as an experienced manager, I want to make that learning curve a little easier for others. I know first-hand how overwhelming some of these positions can feel at first, and I believe that no new manager should struggle as much just because they weren’t given enough practical guidance.
Ultimately, I am passionate about this because great managers can create strong teams and contribute positively to the workplace environment (which we know is a need in our profession right now). If I can help someone step into a leadership role with a more confident understanding, then I might have made a difference not only for their success but for the people they lead as well.
If you met a new manager in line while grabbing coffee, what is the one thing you’d give them for advice?
TD: If I only had one piece of advice that I could offer, I would tell them to get comfortable with crucial conversations. It is a skill that will only help them build trust and foster a culture of openness on a team. This is critical for moving teams forward and navigating tough decisions and situations.
What is the greatest challenge for new managers, if you had to pick one?
TD: One of the biggest challenges for new managers is balancing their own job responsibilities with leading a team. Transitioning from being responsible only for personal tasks to overseeing a team's outcomes and performance can be overwhelming. This requires a shift in skills, as they must effectively coach, support, and hold their team accountable while also managing their own duties. Learning how to navigate these dual responsibilities is essential in order to lead effectively and take care of yourself as well.
Finally, what are you reading, listening to, or watching?
TD: I am reading a lot. I always have like five books going at the same time. I'm currently reading Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and James by Percival Everett. I have been listening to Maxwell’s Executive Leadership Podcast. I am watching the TV show Paradise right now with Sterling K. Brown. I even got my husband to watch it with me.