A Tool for Academic Libraries to Prioritize Leadership Competencies

Abstract

As part of a research project, the author conducted a survey about Hong Kong academic librarians’ perception on leadership capabilities. The survey made use of the Leadership Competencies Model developed for the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA). The results draw attention to a subset of competencies and expose perceptual differences between librarians at different leadership levels. By visualizing the data in a quadrant view, creating a leadership competency profile, the method can shed light on significant areas in leadership capabilities and trigger discussion among librarians on their understanding and assumptions about these attributes. The survey demonstrated a method that can be experimented by libraries and consortia beyond the Hong Kong sample. Such effort should eventually lead to constructive development strategies.