As announced back in November 2008, Robert Larremore of Laredo Community College has agreed to facilitate a discussion of our next title, Fish. Our discussion of this title will take place between January 19 and January 30, 2009. It is a quick and interesting read for those who have not read it yet. Those who read it sometime ago might want to dust off their old copy and review it.
Below are the bibliographic details for the book:
Title: Fish
Authors: Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen
ISBN: 978-0786888825
Just a note of encouragement to anyone interested in joining this group: Fish is a short book and a very easy read, with ideas that we can all incorporate into our professional lives. I hope you'll read it and post your comments! -- Kate
ReplyDeleteMary Jane Ramirez transforms a ‘toxic waste dump’ of employees in Fish! iinto a energetic and enthusiastic workforce. The underlying principle used is ‘choosing your attitude’ everyday. Play, being present and making one’s day are other important principles for a successful productive employee. Library employees can utilize these same principles since many tasks are repetitive and can perhaps become boring like they were at the Pike Place Fish Market. Let us have the ‘courage’ to change things that need to be and the ‘courage’ to say things that must be expressed. Always search for the truth and to improve oneself at work. Sometimes, this may even change your personal life as it did Mary Jane’s co-workers and herself. The poem on ‘faith’ seems to be the key ‘seed’ to start this wonderful process of happiness and growth! Let us discover the ‘meaning’ of each of our lives and become living examples to ourselves, our families, friends and co-workers. Enjoy reading Fish!
ReplyDeleteI am excited about the Fish philosophy and want to expose some of my co-workers to it. These basic four principles of showing up, enjoying your work (every day), encouraging others and having a positive attitude are the 'foundation' for any successful business or library. The philosophy works in any relationship with family, friends or work. Keep reading Fish! and let me know your thoughts and find the 'meaning' in life for you. Quotation calendars help maintain a good attitude. Do you have other suggestions to keep your enthusiasm and energy level? Write down your ideas here.
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ReplyDeleteAs Bob notes, the Fish Philosophy as described by Lundin consists of the following four principles:
ReplyDelete(1) Any job can be performed with energy and enthusiasm. There is always a choice about the way you do your work even if there is not always a choice about the work itself.
(2) You can be serious about your job and still have fun with the way you do it.
(3) Respectfully include customers/patrons in the fun, making their day, and creating good memories. Focusing your attention on ways to make another person's day provides a constant flow of positive feelings.
(4) Be present and vigilant for the next opportunity to make someone's day.
I find that these principles are very applicable to library environments. I agree with Bob about the routine aspects of many of the tasks, which gives rise to the need to bring a positive and upbeat attitude to the job at hand. I also find that the other three principles play out in the memories and reputations that we develop for our libraries in the experiences of our patrons. Patrons will remember their experience at the library and some will not return after an unfavorable experience. When staff (from the leader to the front line clerks) are vigilant for ways to make our users'/and each other's day, you create a positive culture that keep patrons coming back.
I will summarize the four Fish philosophy principles in my own words: Always try to be on time for work, try to say everything in a positive way, enjoy your work and the good things each day more, and these all comprise the character/attitude you portray to others. The best way to teach is by example and extending out a helping hand for everyone at work. Let me know how you would rephrase the Fish philosophy too!
ReplyDeleteSince much of librarianship is customer-service oriented, it is important to realize that our "attitude" can effect the patrons response to you, as a librarian, and to the library as well. While we may not be able to do anything about a patron's bad day, we can do something about the way we respond.
ReplyDeleteAll libraries have mission statements, perhaps, we should include "our library's philosophy" reflecting on how we want to treat each other, our patrons, and how we want our library remembered.
After reading Fish I realized that myself and my co-worker (it's just the two of us in our middle school library) already employ most of the philosophy behind Fish in that we try to make each day fun for ourselves and our kids (customers). We want them to have a positive image of the library and we have to keep ourselves entertained as well! For the most part we feel very rewarded in our work and we have the pleasure of seeing direct results. For me, Fish provided an excellent reminder to be present at work. When the customer (or student, or patron) is the only thing you are focused on, the more likely it will be that you will provide them with service they will appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dara. In a school, we try to make the library a fun place for all involved. I work in an elementary school library. But, I enjoy the reminder that we need to be present at work. So many of us are busy with everything that we do that we do not always give our full attention to our students or staff members when they ask for help.
ReplyDeleteI agree and appreciate the comments of Esther, Dara and jalapenos. I like the idea to include the 'library philosophy' in our mission statements too. When we merge enjoyment with learning and serving customers, I believe the workplace is a more productive happy place! Always keep the courage and faith to say what you believe is good and the truth. Also, always be open to improve yourself and be an example to others. When I work at our college's phonebank during registions, one of the phone tips is 'smile first'. I thank everyone for sharing their wonderful thoughts on Fish! and look forward to the next discussion
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the contributions in the very first online book club blog for TLA District 4.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to participating in the next online blog. I wish everyone the best New Year!
Cheers to Jesus Campos for starting this innovative idea and exposing everyone to 'blogging' too.