What would you tell a colleague who’s interested in joining Lead With Curiosity?
After 11 years in academic libraries, this was the best professional development experience of my career thus far!
During the program and after, I have intentionally been integrating coaching strategies into my interactions with my direct reports and library colleagues. While I am still learning and developing my coaching skills, I really do believe this approach has been improving my 1:1s!
What would you tell a colleague who is considering signing up for the next cohort of Lead With Curiosity?
Sign up! Not only will you learn valuable coaching skills that you can apply to your every day work, you will also find meaningful connections with peers across the profession.
~ Dory Rosenberg, academic librarian and supervisor
As a result of participating in this program, I have increased my ability and willingness to ask a question in group and 1-1 situations rather than immediately give advice. I have been able to identify and strengthen elements of a coaching mindset in my general approach to leading and mentoring. I have seen and started to experience how it is possible to operate both strategically and flexibly in a conversation using a coaching approach.
What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
Most valuable: learning about and practicing coaching in a manageable, supported way. If I had tried to research and apply a coaching approach on my own, I would have been quickly overwhelmed by the amount of information and would have integrated much less into my actual practice.
What would you tell a colleague who is considering signing up for the next cohort of Lead With Curiosity?
It was not always a comfortable experience, but I learned so much and came out proud of my growth. If you are open to and interested in a different way of leading, do it!
~ Anne Graf, Head of Instruction Services
I feel more confident in my ability to approach my work with a coaching mindset and a variety of tools for navigating different conversations and situations. While I do feel more confident and capable, I also have a deeper awareness of how hard it is to develop this new habit (not a bad thing at all – just a more realistic sense of the challenging nature of incorporating this into my work than I would have had if I hadn’t participated in this program). I would also say that practicing new skills, connecting with colleagues who share similar values, interests, and challenges, and having time to read and reflect have all helped me feel refreshed and energized in my work.
What would you tell a colleague who is considering signing up for the next cohort of Lead With Curiosity?
I would tell them that the opportunity to focus on coaching for an extended period of time, learn from Angela as an expert and facilitator, and connect with colleagues who are also interested in leading with curiosity is a magical combination.
~ Kim
So much of this program was valuable to me! I found it particularly useful to be able to practice using a coaching approach and to get feedback on that in a supportive environment. It was also really affirming to hear that others are struggling with some of the same management challenges that I face. Being a manager can feel really isolating and it can be hard to get support within my own institution, so having this group of like-minded managers to share with was extremely valuable to me.
I would tell a colleague to absolutely sign up for this if they were interested in developing their skills as a manager or leader. This program helped me develop my active listening skills, be less reactive and more reflective, and to feel less overwhelmed as a manager with a large number of direct reports.
~ Jenny Dale, Department Head in a public university library
Participating in this cohort program was transformative. The small, intimate cohort fostered valuable connections, allowing us to openly share frustrations and best practices as we navigated the complexities of adopting a coaching mindset as leaders in academic libraries.
In addition to Angela’s curation of the rich array of tools, skills, speaking prompts, and extensive resources—ranging from articles to podcasts—what truly stood out was the personal growth I experienced with my cohort. I developed more of my unique approach to leadership, rooted in coaching principles. The program emphasized the precise definition and value of adopting a coaching mindset. It equipped me with the skills to ask powerful, open-ended questions that drive professional (and personal) development for myself and others. I learned that developing a coaching approach requires the knowledge that working with others in this way is a live, dynamic, reciprocal relationship that requires time, attention, intentionality, and care.
This class is invaluable if you’re seeking practical, hands-on experience in coaching peers. You’ll leave the course with enhanced tangible skills and more of the confidence needed to thrive as a coaching leader. Since completing the program, I’ve become more adept at asking insightful coaching questions during 1:1s with my direct reports, managing up more effectively, and becoming more self-aware when old habits surface – such as giving advice instead of facilitating reflection to make space for others to resolve issues. Angela’s approach is an excellent balance of asking challenging questions, while maintaining an approachable style. She’s instrumental in helping you elevate your leadership skills while having fun.
~ Lorin Jackson, Assistant Director and Professor in a medical university library
What outcomes have you seen from what you learned in the program?
I have noticed the following:
- Some employees have become much more comfortable in sharing their thoughts and confident in sharing their opinions
- Difficult conversations (and conflict more generally) feel less anxiety inducing — I see them as a site of analysis, rather than an uncomfortable situation that needs to be quashed immediately
- I have become better at leading with curiosity (which has helped me tame the advice monster!)
- I have become better at parsing out what is actually within my wheelhouse to solve, which has lead me to have better boundaries around my time and energy
What would you tell a colleague who’s considering signing up for the program?
I would tell them to take the plunge! For those of us who work in management, the pressure to “know it all” or to always have a solution at the ready is immense. This course helps you to de-program these assumptions, to enter into conversations with a spirit of curiosity rather than judgement, and to cultivate a less emotional-intensive approach to management. The hands-on opportunity to practice coaching (and to practice being coached!) with a network of supportive colleagues was invaluable. Receiving targeted, real-time feedback helped me identify patterns, learn different techniques for fostering productive conversations, and test out strategies to tackle challenging interpersonal dynamics in a safe, supportive environment.
~ Ali V., Department Head in an academic library
It was very practical. I appreciated the definitions and different models presented. The chance to have hands-on practice in class and discuss our successes and struggles in the real world was very helpful.
This course strengthened my ability to manage managers, in particular helping them develop through finding their own way of doing things, rather than suggesting my way.
~ Public Library Administrator
The most valuable aspects of [this program] have been learning practical inquiry-based techniques and connecting with a supportive cohort of library leaders. Your program showed me how to help team members develop their own solutions rather than me giving them immediate solutions. This approach integrates well with my servant leadership style.
What would you tell a colleague who is considering signing up for this program?
I would tell them this would be a great way to start their leadership professional development journey. The skills learned apply to any leader. I’d also share that the cohort model is really great for allowing them to reflect on their own work context and get a better understanding of how to approach their leadership development, as well as the support and networking opportunities that the cohort provides.
~ Ian Coronado, Dean at a community college
I particularly appreciate the small group setting, which has significantly enhanced the learning experience by making it easier to engage in productive conversations and practice new skills in a supportive environment. Connecting with other leaders and sharing insights has been invaluable in building my own coaching habits. The peer learning aspect of the program has offered diverse perspectives and practical strategies that have enriched my journey towards becoming a more effective and empowering leader.
Angela’s guidance on practicing active listening and embracing curiosity has significantly altered my approach to leadership to help build a more empowered and collaborative team environment. The program’s focus on enabling us to facilitate growth within our teams, rather than providing direct answers, has changed how I interact with my team and deepened my understanding of my role as a facilitator of their professional development. This course also encourages me to reflect on my default behaviors that may hinder progress towards my leadership goals.
~CJ Ivory, Interim Dean