Time out of the Office #libday6
A good team at work is worth more than a top salary. At our ALIA National Office staff meeting yesterday, looking around at the group, I noticed what diversity we currently have, just like the organisation that we work for. ALIA National Office really does have a good mix of ages, gender, nationalities, talents and skills. And I couldn’t do my job without all of them. I often say in this job “I have one of everything” in terms of staff - from a COO to IT guys, Finance, Membership, desktop publishing, librarians in other roles, a copyright expert and a great receptionist (to take that $1M dollar phone call) and State Managers around the country make up just some of the staff. While we all have a particular skill set and role, we also ‘do everything’ at ALIA - from answering the main phone line to washing the teatowels (we have a nice red kitchen to match the corporate colour).
A good team means that the boss can take a day or a week away (like next week for #ALIAioc), and know that things just keep on going smoothly. I know that sometimes my staff like the time when I am not there at the Office - for some catching up time :-) .
For some library leaders, a day away from the office is just what you need. You may not completely escape some of the phone calls and other things that must be done that day due to deadlines, but it is a treat to be slightly away from the Office. As the time moves into the weekend, for me it’s also more reading and writing time - when the email starts to quieten down. Looking through other Library Day in the Life posts was one example for today.
It’s Friday, and although I have had a couple of days out of the Office this week, the work flows continuously (sometimes relentlessly) wherever I am. My Aurora Leadership Institute mentors and alumni are often good in keeping me grounded, by offering advice on keeping going, getting perspective, and aiming to switch off sometimes (but then sometimes you just can’t).
I love my Netbook and a couple of other PC’s and access points at home to keep a watch on emails, news and bits of e-information throughout the out-of-office days, or when travelling. Having a wonderful PA/Exec Support Officer also helps with email and diary management in a position like this. Don’t ever underestimate the value of speaking to someone’s Assistant as the first point of contact, for a chat, to get an idea of diary times etc, or wrangling a meeting that you would like to make. Today I had a call arranged with book company CEO, that didn’t work out due to other things overtaking him. Our diaries have not quite aligned yet, but glad for the patience of his PA to try to get us a time to talk.
It is also my daughters birthday today. One year I started a new job on her birthday, and ever since, have been aiming to ensure that I am at least at home with her that day to celebrate with friends, family and cake. The Canberra Summer weather continues, so we were able to enjoy some time at the local waterslide park. Family reminds you of your other life, to bring you back to earth, for the support you may need on difficult days, and to always have good Librarian Shusshing Jokes aplenty.
Sue Hutley, ALIA Executive Director