Victoria Williamson
Director
Riverside County Law Library
Victoria WilliamsonWhat does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means bringing people together and inspiring them to be their best selves and do their best work in service of others for the benefit of the collective good. It is not a mere title or position, but rather a commitment to serving others, adding value to those they have been entrusted to lead, and accomplishing their shared vision and goal. A good leader is someone people follow not out of obligation, but out of trust—not because of title or rank, but because they feel safe bringing their authentic selves, are trusted to serve, and are empowered to achieve shared goals. A leader must possess knowledge and experience in their field of work, effective communication skills, the ability to see the big picture, emotional intelligence, and keen self-awareness. In addition to all these qualities, a good leader practices humility and leads by example.
Is there a particular AALL product/program/article that was especially helpful for you as you developed as a leader?
The Annual Meeting & Conference has consistently supported me throughout my career and was key to my development as a leader. In particular, the Conference of Newer Law Librarians (CONELL), not only set me on the right track toward a rewarding career but also provided me with a meaningful and lasting positive impression about our profession and AALL as an organization. This proved it was a worthy investment of my time, energy, and money. CONELL is a full day preconference workshop that provided me with a solid foundation upon which my career was built and has led me to where I am as a leader. Since my first AALL Conference, held in Anaheim, California, the network of colleagues and friends that I began with at CONELL has grown and lasted many years. CONELL offers new law librarians’ opportunities for committee involvement, leadership development, and ultimately, career advancement. It is the one program that I highly recommend to someone going into the law library field for the first time.
What is the best advice regarding leadership or being successful in your work that you’ve ever received?
“Go out there!” is the best advice I have ever received. For someone with an INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) personality, going out there without overthinking, acting without planning, and approving without analyzing is a challenge and does not come naturally to me. Early in my career, I was given the advice to ‘go out there,’ explore, try new things, and not be afraid to make mistakes or fail! This advice led me to seek volunteering opportunities, which then opened doors to networking, learning, and leadership experiences. As I took on these opportunities and served on AALL and Southern California Association of Law Libraries (SCALL) committees, I learned that it doesn’t matter so much what position I held or what experience or skills I lacked. What matters is the desire and willingness to learn, to serve, and to commit to work you are passionate about—these are what ultimately lead to success. Do not let fear of the unknown—whether because you haven’t done it before or don’t know where to start—stop you from saying yes to opportunities to serve and contribute to the collective good. When faced with adversity or a new challenge, see it as a chance to learn a new skill or strengthen an existing one. A wise woman once said: ‘If you are not learning, you are not living.’”
What advice would you give to someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
My advice is to set aside time to get to know your people, take a genuine interest in learning about them as a whole person, both professionally and personally. Learning each other’s personality types, communication styles, and unique personal preferences/biases takes time, and the earlier you begin this process, the earlier you will discover the efficacy of your leadership style. Keep in mind that people have lives outside of work and as a leader, you should articulate in no uncertain terms the importance of achieving a quality work-life balance.
What are you doing to ensure your continued growth and development as a leader?
In addition to attending regular conferences and webinars, subscribing to email news and podcasts, and staying involved in professional activities, I continue to serve in my local community, city commission, and church ministry.