Curtis Rogers Consulting, LLC

Providing training and consulting services to libraries and non-profits.

Mindful Leadership: The Role of Kindness in Effective Staff Communication

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Dr. Curtis Rogers

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Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful library management, yet it’s often one of the most challenging skills to master. One key aspect for library managers to remember is that they never truly know what their staff members may be dealing with in their personal lives. Many employees face struggles related to finances, relationships, or other life challenges that can directly impact their work performance and overall well-being. These external factors may manifest in subtle ways—distracted behavior, mood changes, or reduced productivity—that can easily be misunderstood without a deeper awareness of the person’s circumstances.

Managers need to approach communication with a mindset of empathy and understanding. Each staff member has unique experiences, communication styles, and challenges. It’s essential to recognize that what works for one person may not work for another. This flexibility, paired with a respectful and kind attitude, fosters a supportive environment where staff feel valued. Managers who lead with patience and compassion can help reduce workplace stress and create a space where employees feel comfortable discussing issues that may be affecting their job performance.

As a former library manager, I understand that it can take years to develop the insight and communication skills necessary to effectively manage a diverse team. It’s a process of continual learning and self-awareness. That’s why I offer a one-hour webinar on communication skills designed specifically for library managers. In this session, we explore how managers can better understand their own communication tendencies, learn how to navigate difficult conversations, and ultimately build stronger, more respectful relationships with their staff.

Please visit my consulting services page to learn about this and other webinars I offer and I look forward to working with your library staff soon.

Dr. Curtis Rogers Avatar

About the author

    Dr. Curtis Rogers is a library consultant who has worked in the library and information science field for over 35 years. He has worked at the Union (SC) Carnegie Library, and the Charleston County (SC) Public Library, and retired as the Communications Director of the South Carolina State Library. He has also taught courses at the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. In 2001, he completed the University of the Azores Summer Study Course in Azorean Portuguese Culture and Language and in 2002 completed the Certified Public Manager credential. In 2008, he was President of the SC Library Association. Rogers developed a national library survey on library use of social media for public relations and presented this survey’s results at the 2009 German Library Association Conference and at the State and University Library of Hamburg. He has served as secretary of the board of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and as secretary of the SC Academy of Authors, as well as chair of the USC School of Library and Information Annual Literacy Leaders (ALL) Awards Committee. He has also served on the Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL) board and is a member of the ALA CORE Library Consultants group. He is a recipient of the 2015 F. William Summers Outstanding Alumni Award from the USC School of Library and Information Science.