Organizational Dynamics with StrengthsFinder® Facilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Team building is a crucial investment to any library. It increases communication, trust, and collaboration while minimizing conflict. It is the director's responsibility to create an environment conducive to collaboration. The purpose of this trial program is to present strategic steps toward building an effective team and to present techniques on becoming a successful contributor on an existing team. Previous organizational-level facilitation was done, establishing core values. The current focus uses the industry standard tool StrengthsFinder to help staff understand their preferences and how they can be most supportive of others. Description: New hires have been informed of prior staff development and current core values. Individuals will complete the StrengthsFinder inventory and go over their results with a facilitator. The facilitator will then work with the library staff to show the different perspectives and preferences of their fellow coworkers. Pre-and post-team evaluation results will be measured. In this presentation, the director will describe the greater mission behind this exercise, which is ultimately to foster bonds and create a more efficient work place environment. A new faculty hire will describe their experience becoming an effective team member pre-and post-inventory facilitation. Discussion: Results are pending.