Complementing Traditional Leadership

Abstract

The path from reference librarian or cataloger to department head to administrator is one many librarians travel, becoming organizational leaders as they do. Much has been written about how to acquire leadership skills, while mentoring programs and seminars support emerging leaders. Another kind of leadership exists alongside that first well-trodden path. Long-time reference librarians, catalogers, and others outside the ranks of more traditional leadership positions bestow on their departments a depth of experience and dedication to excellence that is needed in a stable, thriving, and successful operation. In the world of business management, these characteristics fall under the rubric of followership. Effective followers are as important to organizational success as are leaders. Business literature is replete with research and advice for leaders: how to become a leader, how to lead more effectively, servant leadership, and countless other topics.