Category Archives: Uncategorized

Many years ago, I gave a conference presentation on a controversial change that my department had made to its workflows. At the encouragement of my dean at the time, I had investigated the possibility of eliminating what was generally considered … Continue reading →

On Tuesday, in my first post on the topic of workflow management, I discussed the importance of bringing complexity indoors, out of the patron’s experience. I called this internalizing complexity.  Today I’m going to talk about the importance of moving … Continue reading →

I know what you’re thinking: ”I’m a leader, not a manager. Workflow management isn’t my job.” Two answers: Managers are leaders, or should be, so workflows really are a leadership issue. Administrative leaders may not manage workflows directly, but they … Continue reading →

I’m going to close out the year with a lesson I learned many years ago from a column by Stanley Fish; I believe it was in the Chronicle of Higher Education (which, is, by the way, an essential read for any academic … Continue reading →

I came into my current position as a library leader about four years ago, saying what I’ve always known all good leaders are supposed to say in that situation: “Don’t expect me to swoop in here and starting being disruptive … Continue reading →

The words “simple” and “easy” are not synonyms. A task or process can be simple but not easy, and it might be easy but not simple.  Let me provide a couple of quick examples to illustrate what I mean: Driving … Continue reading →

Ever heard the saying “reality always wins”? I have no idea who coined it, but I first heard that phrase some years ago, and for a long time I found it comforting. Sure, nonsense and denial might prevail for a … Continue reading →

This is one of those conversations that tends to happen between two lobes of my brain – I’ll refer to them as Rick Brain 1 and Rick Brain 2. Here’s how this particular conversation goes; maybe it’s somewhat the same … Continue reading →

When you were a child, there’s a very good chance that you were told by your parents to do something you didn’t want to do. And there’s a very good chance that you asked why you had to do it, … Continue reading →

And, for that matter, to those who don’t. Today is a holiday in the US, so there’s no new Vision & Balance content today. But I hope all of you have a joyful weekend.