NEO-RLS Introduces the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy
What does it mean to be a leader and how do the skills needed differ from those needed to be a good manager? Many people struggle with how to leave behind former priorities and mindsets when they enter a leadership role. Learning how to balance implementation with vision, connect with others in order to achieve goals, become an effective decision-maker and develop others are all important skills that help build alignment with direct reports and across an organization. The Leadership Academy will focus on enhancing the skills you already have and building new ones in order to assist you in developing a vision of how you can confidently move into the future as a leader.

Session 1
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - Twinsburg Public Library
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Everything DiSC® on Catalyst™

Everything DiSC® on Catalyst™ is a personal development learning experience that equips people with the social and emotional know-how for more effective interactions at work—no matter who or where they are.

Learning Objectives:

Ned Parks has had a rich and varied life that has taken him from police officer to helicopter pilot to successful entrepreneur with management and leadership positions in the journey.

He brings this experience to his consulting practice as a global provider of business consulting and staff development services that help organizations improve management and strategic competencies enhance customer service and improve employee engagement efforts.

Session 2: 
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Bainbridge Branch of Geauga County Public Library
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
 

Morning Session:  Get Smart About Emotional Intelligence: Enhance Your Effectiveness
People with higher emotional intelligence tend to be better decision makers, more effective leaders, more resilient, better communicators, have more self-awareness and self-control, and more success in life overall. Emotional intelligence is being able to identify and manage your emotions and those of others. It is crucial for working collaboratively and effectively and having difficult conversations.

In this interactive workshop we will discuss emotional intelligence and ways to improve it. The exercises will walk you through activities that help you explore your emotions, improve communication skills, and build empathy.

Discover how to harness the power of emotions for more effective interactions!

Learning Objectives: 

Presenter:

Laura Greco is a certified wellness coach, author, and speaker/trainer with a 20+ year background in nursing who helps professionals eliminate burnout, manage stress, create life balance, and rekindle their sense of purpose and joy. She believes that self-care (body, mind, and spirit) is the basis for well-being and that we all have the capacity to make positive lifestyle changes. Her books include Wellness Made Simple, and Wellness Made Simple-for Residents. For more information please visit her website
www.YouBloomWellness.com .

Laura has a BSN (University of Michigan), Master in Adult Education (Penn State), training from HeartMath and the Mass General Benson Henry Mind Body Institute, and certifications in wellness coaching from both Wellcoaches and Center for Credentialing and Education.

Afternoon Session:  We Need to Talk:  A Step by Step Guide to Difficult Conversations
This highly interactive session will give participants the tools for having difficult conversations that achieve results. Participants will learn, and practice, a step by step process for managing difficult conversations about a variety of workplace issues. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn steps for successful difficult conversations
• Understand the essence of difficult conversations
• Practice difficult conversation scenarios
• Discuss the sources and costs of workplace conflict

Presenter:
Barbara Baker is a former Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in Independence, Ohio. As a Federal Mediator, she assisted parties in collective bargaining negotiations and mediated labor and employment disputes in the private, public and federal sectors. In addition, Ms. Baker trains labor advocates and management in collective bargaining including bargaining processes, contract administration, steward/supervisor training and developing effective labor management committees. She also provides training in communication skills such as conflict resolution, active listening and communication dynamics. Ms. Baker facilitates person to person dialogues as well as group discussions to promote strong workplace relationships.

Session 3
Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am From Your Desktop

You’re Not Alone: The Power of Peer Support in Management
Becoming a manager is a significant step, bringing exciting new challenges and shifts in how you approach your work yet, it often comes with a surprising sense of isolation. The familiar camaraderie with coworkers fades, leaving you feeling alone when navigating tough decisions or problem-solving. This feeling is especially true for middle managers, who often find themselves caught balancing the needs of front-line staff with the directives of administration. In this interactive workshop, we'll dive into the key issues faced by managers, particularly those in middle management, and explore practical strategies for building stronger peer support. You'll leave the workshop with a clear understanding of the mutual respect, open communication, and shared sense of purpose needed for robust peer relationships. You'll also be equipped with actionable strategies to cultivate an environment where you and other managers can freely share experiences, learn from one another, and collaboratively find solutions that benefit everyone.

Presenter:
Mary Frankenfield has worked in the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library system for more than 20 years. During her time at MRCPL, Mary has worked as a page, a clerk, a children's librarian, and a branch manager. She has been in her current position as Deputy Director for a little over seven years. Among her many other duties, Mary has an active role in employee training and development and has presented workshops for NEO-RLS, OLC, and the




Session 4
Thursday, January 8, 2026  from 10:00 am - 11:30 am  From Your Desktop

Strategic Leadership
In today's dynamic library environment, mastering the art of strategic leadership is more crucial than ever. As libraries evolve to meet the challenges of a digital era, leaders must adeptly navigate the intersection of strategy, leadership, operations, and management. This webinar offers participants a comprehensive understanding of how strategic vision and effective leadership can shape the future of library services

Learning objectives:

Presenter:

Paula Miller has served as Director/Administrator in four states –Baltimore County Public Library and Eastern Shore Regional Library (both MD), Pikes Peak Library District (CO), Westlake Porter Public Library (OH), and Dover Public Library (DE). Most recently, she molded BCPL’s role as a community hub and instrument of democracy, and she oversaw the development and opening of award-winning and state-of-the-art Library 21c in Colorado Springs. Enamored by libraries since her first shelving job at age 16 at Kent Free Library, she believes our public libraries are critical community resources that bring people together and that serve as bridges to opportunities in individuals’ lives. She is focused on identifying new and emerging needs, roles, and connections that keep our libraries relevant and effective.

Session 5
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 10 am - 11:15 am from YOUR Desktop

Leading from the Middle: Managing Up and Down Simultaneously
Do you have more than one boss at your library? Do you have lots of responsibility but little authority? Are you working between multiple departments? Are you looking to improve your communication skills with your managers and your direct reports? If you said yes to any of these questions then this webinar can help you communicate better and manage up, and down. 

Learning Objectives:

Presenter:

Carrie Rogers-Whitehead worked in libraries for nearly a decade and now consults and trains librarians. She regularly researches and writes for librarians, educators and parents. Carrie has published 5 books, with two coming out in 2022 including a new book co-authored with two school librarians with ABC-CLIO: Advocating Digital Citizenship: Resources for Library and Classroom. In 2021 she received an Outstanding Reference Title award from the Reference & User Services Association of ALA. Carrie is the founder of Digital Respons-Ability, a mission-based company that has educated tens of thousands of students, parents and educators in digital citizenship. Her company’s curriculum and work can be found in multiple states and countries. Carrie is a sought after trainer, former TEDx speaker, adjunct instructor and loves to teach others.

Session 6 -
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Morning Session:  Leading Through Transitions
Change is never easy, but understanding the transition process that leads to adopting a change is a critical skill for library leaders.  This session will help you understand the stages of a transition process, where people get stuck (and how to help them if they do!), and how to develop strong team dynamics that support the change.  Drawing on the transition theory work of Bruce Feiler, William Bridges, and Susan Bridges, participants will deeply consider the elements of each stage of a transition and how to support themselves, their team, and their colleagues each step of the way, as well as how to head off tension and conflict along the way.  While change may never be easy, understanding the transition process that leads to change helps library leaders become more intentional and effective.

Learning Objectives:

Afternoon Session:  Develop Your Teams by Building on Strengths
Teams are a critical unit at your library - it’s where people learn, share, and feel connected. How can we better develop our teams to ensure positive working relationships and job satisfaction? This session will go deep into team building (but not in a “let’s do a ropes course!” way!). We’ll share the theory behind how teams develop their dynamics and cultures and several proven approaches to using a strengths-based approach for intentionally cultivating a productive environment.

Learning Objectives:

Presenter:

Amanda Standerfer’s passion is helping libraries and nonprofit organizations advance so they can create meaningful impact in their communities. Since 2002, Amanda's consulting practice Fast Forward Libraries has worked with libraries and nonprofits on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and capacity building. Amanda has 15 years of experience at various positions in public libraries, most recently as the Director of Community Engagement for The Urbana (IL) Free Library.  She also has 7 years of experience working in the philanthropy sector.  She has a BA and MA in History from Eastern Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.



Session 7
Thursday, April 16, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Morning Session: Accountability at the Core:  Manager’s Response to Pride and Entitlement in the Workplace
In the complex landscape of the post pandemic, fostering a culture of accountability is not just a goal; it's a necessity!
A midst the comprehensive interplay of organizational dynamics, few threads are as complex and pervasive as pride and entitlement. These two formidable barriers have the potential to obstruct the path to accountability, stifling progress, and hindering growth.
Now, more than ever, leaders must confront these challenges head-on, charting a course towards a future defined by humility, integrity, and unwavering accountability. In this session tailored for HR professionals, we will embark on a journey to unravel the intricacies of pride and entitlement, exploring how they intersect with accountability and, more importantly, how we can overcome them to cultivate a culture of responsibility and excellence within our organizations.

Learning Objectives:

Our mindset is the way we think, filter our thoughts and make meaning of a situation. Is mindset fixed, or can we change it – and help others change theirs?

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck developed the term “growth mindset” after researching motivation, personality and development. Dweck suggests that a growth mindset evolves from an attitude of hard work, learning, training and perseverance. In comparison, individuals with a fixed mindset believe that success comes from innate ability, focus on the rewards of immediate success and dread failure.
 
Because mindsets are shaped by our environments, organizations can do quite a bit to foster a growth mindset within.  The growth mindset is all about learning, growing and continuing to work hard despite setbacks, while a person with a fixed mindset may be embarrassed by and not willing to admit their personal or professional failures.
 
Growing out of a fixed mindset does not happen overnight. It takes conscious effort to move to a different way of thinking. As Leaders, we can help ourselves, colleagues and ultimately the organization by promoting a growth mindset throughout. 
 
Learning Objectives:

Presenter:

Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients.  Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.


Session 8
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - Location TBA
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Morning Session:  Empathetic Leadership: Fostering Trust and Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Leadership styles have evolved significantly over the past several decades, making space for more human-centered and emotionally intelligent approaches. Person-Centered Leadership models, such as Empathetic Leadership, not only strengthen connection and trust—but also play a critical role in creating psychologically safe work environments where team members feel valued, respected, and heard.

Please join this engaging conversation to explore the tools and characteristics of Psychological Safety and Empathetic Leadership that help leaders respond effectively to the needs of their employees while cultivating a culture of safety, openness, and inclusion.

Presenter:

 Erin Turner, LISW-S, is the Intensive Services Program Manager at Crossroads/Beacon Health in Lake County and Adjunct Faculty for Youngstown State School of Social Work Graduate Program. She has worked in community mental health settings for over 20 years as a volunteer, direct service provider, clinical supervisor and program manager. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults with a variety of mental health issues, including trauma, mood disorders and crisis situations. Erin specializes in community-based crisis intervention. Erin has provided multiple trainings within the context of Social Work including Risk Assessment, Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Motivational Interviewing. 

Afternoon Session:  Guided Conversations
Here is your opportunity to ask questions of your peers and share your successes and challenges.