Introduction

Professional leadership in today's information landscape encompasses far more than traditional management - it requires mastery of advocacy, marketing, innovation, and strategic communication skills. Leaders in library and information settings must navigate rapidly evolving technologies while building support for initiatives, managing complex projects, and fostering positive organizational change. As Sweeney (2023) emphasizes in his discussion of library advocacy, success depends on understanding supporters and strategically building resources to advance organizational missions. This multifaceted approach to leadership is especially critical as libraries expand their digital presence and services.

The LLAMA Competencies Committee (2017) highlights that effective leaders must employ diverse communication approaches, incorporating verbal, written, and nonverbal methods when engaging with both internal teams and external stakeholders. In today's increasingly remote work environment, this requires not only clarity in delivery but also strong active listening skills and facility with various communication technologies. Furthermore, as Hirsh (2023) explains, change management has become a crucial leadership skill, requiring leaders to facilitate environments that encourage innovation and collaboration through continuous two-way communication, flexibility, and accountability.

Marketing and advocacy have emerged as essential components of library leadership, particularly when introducing innovative services or technologies. Leaders must effectively communicate value propositions to diverse audiences while building sustainable support networks. This involves not only traditional advocacy for resources but also strategic partnership development and community engagement. Success in these areas requires sophisticated project management skills - the ability to execute, monitor, analyze, and deliver results while maintaining ethical decision-making practices.

Evidence

My professional leadership and communication skills are demonstrated through three significant examples that showcase my ability to lead innovative projects, build support through strategic communication, and engage in high-level institutional service.

1. As the supervising producer and creative director for two virtual reality initiatives I presented at the 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference, I demonstrated the multifaceted leadership skills essential in today's evolving information landscape. My role required mastery of project management, change management, and strategic communication while advancing organizational missions through innovative technology. Leading remote teams of over 20 professionals demanded sophisticated communication strategies across multiple channels. I implemented a structured workflow using Trello for project tracking, weekly Zoom standups for team coordination, and centralized Google Workspace for documentation - exemplifying the kind of technology-facilitated communication leadership described by the LLAMA Competencies Committee.

 The success of these projects relied on building sustainable support networks through strategic partnerships. I developed relationships with Northern Cheyenne tribal members, Ukrainian librarians and soldiers, VR specialists, SJSU faculty and staff, and student interns, managing their diverse needs and communication styles while maintaining project momentum. This required not just technical coordination but active listening and cultural sensitivity - key leadership competencies in today's remote work environment. Through careful stakeholder management and clear communication of value propositions, I fostered an environment that encouraged innovation while ensuring accountability to project goals.

My presentation of these initiatives at ALA demonstrated change management leadership in action. By sharing both technical implementation strategies and practical applications, I helped library leaders envision how emerging technologies could advance their missions while building support for digital innovation. 

2. My strategic approach to advocacy and communication is demonstrated through successful media engagement that amplified important social causes while advancing institutional visibility. During my CBS Radio interview about the "Freedom to Read" virtual reality project, I effectively communicated how VR technology can advocate for intellectual freedom by transcending geographic barriers during Banned Books Week. This national platform raised awareness about censorship while showcasing innovative approaches to information access. Additionally, my media outreach for "Children Draw War Not Flowers" secured features in Metro Silicon Valley and the Mariposa Gazette, drawing attention to the ongoing Russian invasion and the role Ukrainian libraries play during wartime. This press coverage led to successful fundraising for essential supplies and digitization equipment to preserve Ukrainian cultural artifacts, demonstrating the real-world impact of strategic communication and advocacy efforts.

3. My three-month service on the Dean Search Committee for SJSU's College of Information, Data, and Society demonstrates my high-level institutional decision-making ability. In a committee dominated by faculty and administrative perspectives, I provided a crucial student voice in evaluating candidates across multiple criteria including leadership capabilities, resource management, diversity and inclusion commitment, and student success. My unique position as both a student and VR Graduate Assistant allowed me to bridge different stakeholder perspectives while ensuring student needs remained a part of discussions about the college's future direction.

Conclusion

My demonstrated leadership abilities in project management, change management, strategic communication, and institutional service position me to take on increasingly complex leadership roles in the evolving information profession. Through managing innovative VR projects, building media relationships, and participating in high-level institutional governance, I have developed a comprehensive leadership toolkit that combines technical expertise with strategic advocacy skills. 

Moving forward, I will continue developing my leadership capabilities through active participation in professional organizations like the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) and the American Library Association (ALA). To stay current with evolving leadership practices and technologies, I will regularly engage with resources from LLAMA and ALA and participate in their leadership development seminar. These ongoing professional development activities will ensure I continue growing as an effective leader who can successfully navigate the complex challenges facing today's information institutions.

References

Hirsh, S. (Ed.). (2023). Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Flanagan, K. (2024, June 13). Perspectives of war children from Ukraine featured in unique exhibit with local ties. Mariposa Gazette.https://www.mariposagazette.com/ or https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1MIXHy8ED7DywGJfQESQ1e9mf-ig9El/view?usp=share_link

Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) Competencies Committee. (2017). Leadership and management competencies. American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/llama/leadership-and-management-competencies

Street, S. (2023, June 15). VR project brings Ukrainian children's art to life. Metro Silicon Valley. https://www.metrosiliconvalley.com/san-jose-state-ischool-curates-childrens-memories-of-war/

Sweeney, P. (2023). Advocacy. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed., pp. 388-392). Rowman & Littlefield.