Seminar: The View from the Director’s Desk: Managing Soft Skills in Special Collections
Sponsored by: Bonhams
Beyond professional knowledge and training (or “hard skills”), hiring managers look for “soft skills” in their employees – the “emotional intelligence quotient” factors such as communication skills, self-management skills, and interpersonal skills which contribute to a professional’s success but aren’t necessarily taught in graduate school. This seminar will bring together 4 seasoned professionals for a discussion about soft skills that librarians, curators, and archivists need to be successful throughout their careers, and the supervisor’s role in promoting and developing soft skills amongst staff. Participants will learn to better identify soft skills which they can develop throughout their careers, gain valuable insights into the art of managing special collections professionals, and receive direction on how to pursue further education and training in emotional intelligence and/or management.
Moderator: Jason Dean, Southwestern University
Speakers:
Rebekah Irwin, Middlebury College
Brian Keith, University of Florida
Deborah Whiteman, University of Toronto