This month’s theme is “learning & growing”.  There are a number of ways we as information professionals can discuss and even illustrate our growth.  Consider making a post today that talks about a resource or service that helps you professionally.

In addition, there are some great conversations taking place via LinkedIn Groups.  Why not weigh in…

Group: Special Libraries Association
Discussion: My background is in math, science, and software engineering.

Group: Special Libraries Association
Discussion: In the latest issue of Information Outlook, Seth Godin provacatively states that we need more incompetent librarians. He says that competence is the enemy of change. Does he have a point?

Group: SLA Europe and Leadership & Management Division of SLA
Discussion: Just curious, how often would you say that you engage in conversations via LinkedIn, i.e. once a week, twice a week, none, etc.?

Being a mentor and coaching others can be accomplished through time  spent in person, by the phone, or even through writing.  In the book “The Information and Knowledge Professional’s Career Handbook: Define and Create Your Success.“,  Ulla de Stricker and Jill Hurst-Wahl offer their career knowledge  and personal compendium of advice as described in a blog post on the Infonista this past Sunday, May 15th.

Knowledge sharing is one of the noble functions information professionals are known for in the business world.  Ask yourself this question – Who are you sharing your knowledge with in a mentoring or coaching capacity?

Schumpeter references the April Harvard Business Review in this piece on the value of failure — as long as lessons are learned. Our success culture is discussed, with authors Tom Peters, Stephen Covey, and Malcolm Gladwell highlighted. Acknowledging failure, though, is an important step in business success. Executives at Ford Motor Company are used as an example of improvement following ownership of real issues.

http://www.economist.com/node/18557776?fsrc=nlw|mgt|04-20-11|management_thinking