Pilot Implementation of a Leadership Framework in the National Library of Medicine Associate Fellowship Program

Abstract

The National Library of Medicine Associate Fellowship Program is a nearly fifty year-old fellowship program for recent library science graduates interested in developing a leadership role in health sciences libraries. The program has used a number of informal methods of leadership development including the use of behavioral assessments, mentoring, and meeting with senior leadership. In 2015, the Associate Fellowship Program Coordinator introduced the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders” leadership model developed by Kouzes and Posner (2007) and began a pilot program of a series of leadership exercises to formally reinforce the leadership development aspect of the program. The model was selected after reviewing a number of leadership models because of its clarity, and the presumed adaptability of the practices to professionals early in their careers. The model uses the practices: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. The program used the participating cohort members to explore the effectiveness of the leadership exercises and to shape the program going forward. The leadership framework and exercises were successfully revised based on comments from the cohort.