Peter Fatzaun
Bindman/CSULB/ELIB 550
Leadership
One of the most difficult things for most people, including myself, is to take a step back
and analyze oneself. It is so much more easy to dissect and scrutinize someone else and more
times than not we get glee or satisfaction from our actions (hate to say it but I fall victim of this
at times). Farmer goes ahead and even states that as library media specialists, we know how to
evaluate information, analyze it, synthesize it, apply it, and communicate it. Since we are smart
and organized (Farmer 1). But scrutinizing and evaluating information of oneself, let alone
applying it is a daunting task. As people we are afraid of our flaws and defective traits. In order
to become a strong leader, I am a firm believer one must know their strengths, weaknesses, and
especially our flaws in order to continue to grow as a person and leader, to strive to continue
to become a better leader. “Both programs begin with participants exploring their personality
styles in order to gain insight into their behaviors “ “To be a leader requires a strong sense of
self. You must understand who you are to assess how to fulfill your definition of
leadership” (Nichols 39).
With so many different definitions and examples of leadership styles out there, one may
fall victim with overload. Good news is that Farmer states, “... several factors contributing to
effective leadership. However, there is no one right way to lead. Not only do people have
different leadership styles, but leadership has to assume different aspects depending on the
needs of the organization as a whole” (Farmer 7). Knowing that there is no one right way to
lead and that people have different leadership styles is assuring to me.
After completing the three self evaluating personality tests (Personality, Learning Styles,
and Traits); I was hoping to have a better understanding of where I stand but unfortunately, this
was not the case. I do believe these tests are a great starting point, a strong foundation to get
an idea, and very entertaining, but not valid enough to correctly assess someone.
Personality: By taking the Jung Typology Test, I was given “Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging”
It states that I am:
- moderately expressed extravert
- slightly expressed sensing personality
- moderately expressed feeling personality
- slightly expressed judging personality
Learning Style: By taking the VARK Questionnaire I have a multimodal learning preference
(kinesthetic and aural)
Traits: The Big Five Personality Test
As stated above, us library media specialists know how to evaluate information, analyze
information, synthesize it, and apply it. Most of this personality trait jargon has little affect on
me but what I do find resourceful is how I perceive myself compared to these personality tests.
I would have to what I perceive what I need to improve on. Before being able to analyze my
leadership style I need to pinpoint my strengths. My strengths are; always willing to be openminded and trying new things, my calm relax manner that I present myself (well most of the
time), and being outgoing/friendly/sociable “gregarious”. Using the three personality tests I can
conclude that my leadership style is a hands on, flexible, and inviting style. Under the Jung
Typology Test, Dr. Keirsey reveals that I am a “provider” one that takes it upon themselves to
insure the health and welfare of those in their care, but they are the most sociable of all the
Guardians, and thus are the great nurturers of social institutions such as schools (Keirsey).
Stated in LMTs as Leaders (Farmer Powerpoint) I believe I have display many teacher
leadership qualities; remaining flexible, remaining hopeful, creating a caring and supportive
climate, pro-actively doing outreach, thinking creatively and flexibly. My leadership style is
coaching (very directive and very supportive). I strongly believe I have the right traits and
tangibles to become an effective LMT at a school setting. Hackman and Johnson 2003, list five
characteristics of good leadership (AASL 2009), I feel that these characteristics are a good
summary of me as a person.
- Being creative
- Being interactive
- Being vision-headed
- Empowering others (by encouraging participation and involvement)
- Being passionate about your work
Professional Development Goals
Not stating the obvious, but first acquiring a Library Media Teaching job is pretty high on
my list. Having a different prospective than most of my colleagues, a view from the outside
looking in at the LMT position, I feel frustrated most of the time not being able to apply my
schooling into action. There are times during this program that I am appreciative knowing that I
will not be thrown into the fire of LMT without any formal teaching and maybe, just maybe, I
will have a slight idea of what the hell is going on and need to be doing.
Goal: To have the Library as a Center of Imagination and able to create a Library where students
want to go to, create an inviting environment for students/staff/community
- Provide space and seating that enhances and encourages the technology use, leisure reading
and browsing, and use of materials in all formats
- Design learning space that accommodates a rang of teaching methods, learning tasks,a nd
learning outcomes
- Create a friendly, comfortable, well-lit, aesthetically pleasing that is centrally located and well
integrated with the rest of the school
- Ensure that library hours provide optimum access for learners and other members of the
school community
- Motivates leaners to read fiction and nonfiction through reading aloud, book-talking, displays,
exposure to authors and other means
- Develop initiatives to encourage and engage learners in reading, writing, and listening for
understanding and enjoyment
- Display the student’s most popular books and be ready to recommend them
Goal: To have a library that is noticeable by the decision makers on campus and school
community
- Analyze stakeholder goals and issues for potential alignment with library activities and
resources and builds promotional efforts around them
- Attend department, curriculum, faculty, and other school and district based meetings
- Encourage visits to and use of the library by parents, administrators, district officials, and
faculty
- Encourage parents and community members to supports learner by volunteering in the library
- Seek opportunities to teach new skills to the faculty and staff, whether in a new learning in a
classroom setting or one on one instruction
- Take advantage of professional development opportunities and share new learning with the
school administration and faculty
- Shares knowledge about libraries and leaning by publishing articles in the school newsletter or
other community news sources
- Design and maintain a library website that provides 24-7 access to digital information
resources, instructional interventions, reference services, links to other libraries, and other
academic sites, information for parents
References
American Association of School Librarians. (2009). Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School
Library Media Programs. American Association of School Librarians.
Farmer, L.. Chapter 17: Become a Collaborative Leader.
Farmer, L. Power Up! Powerpoint
Farmer, L. LMTs as Leaders. Powerpoint
Fleming, N. (2001).VARK: A guide to learning styles. Retrieved from http://www.vark-learn.com/
english/page.asp?p=questionnaire
Heiss, M. M., & Butt, J. (August, 2007). Introverted feeling sensing judging. Retrieved from http://
typelogic.com/isfj.html
Nichols, C. A. (January 2002). Leaders: Born or Bred? Library Journal, 127, 13, 38.
Oliver, D. J., (2000) The Big Five Personality Test. Retrieved from http://www.outofservice.com/
bigfive/