About the authors
Jim McKinlay has been an avid student of leadership competencies, human dynamics and organisational practices for close to forty years. His professional career as a consultant spans a thirty-year period – both internally in large organisations and externally as one of the co-founders of an international consulting group.
His formal studies leading to a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development, his experience as a senior Human Resources Executive and years of providing consulting services to more than 400 clients have provided opportunities to recognise the importance of ‘the people factor’. From this background, he has developed a deep appreciation for the true value of human potential within an organisation. People are the energy source of every successful and unsuccessful organisation. The difference is that good leaders know how to tap into that energy source and help to ignite the flame of passion so that the collective potential of the members of the workforce can be maximised.
Jim’s consulting practice is focused on four areas – planning, people, leadership and change. Since 2001, he has co-authored four books, one on each of these specific topics. He works with clients across Canada and internationally.
Jim and his wife enjoy life together at their home in White Rock, British Columbia. In addition to his consulting and writing, Jim continues to hone his skills as an amateur wine-maker and an eager golfer. Both of these hobbies bring him lots of joy and help to keep life in balance.
He can be contacted on csmmtnvu@telusplanet.net
Vicki Williamson is the Dean of the University of Saskatchewan Library, in Saskatoon, Canada.
Dr Williamson has centred her career on universities, holding senior leadership roles in academic libraries and university administration. She illustrates her experience in these fields through her active participation in professional groups and continued research in academic librarianship.
It is this interest and passion that she brought to her role as Dean of the University of Saskatchewan Library in 2006. Prior to coming to the University of Saskatchewan, Dr Williamson resided in Australia, her country of origin, where her career included positions in Australian higher education, academic libraries and university executive administration. She was University Librarian at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia, including a concurrent appointment as Foundation Director of Australia’s first Prime Ministerial Library – the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library – from 1992 to 2001. Prior to moving to Canada in 2006, Dr Williamson was Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administrative & Academic Support) at the University of Ballarat in Victoria from 2001 to 2006.
Dr Williamson’s academic qualifications include a Doctor of Education (Ed D) from Curtin University where her doctoral research was awarded the Australian College of Education (WA Chapter), 1999 Award for Excellence in Post-Graduate Research in Education.
Through active involvement in several professional associations, Dr Williamson continues her professional education. She represents the University of Saskatchewan as a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) among others. In addition to her activity in national and international associations, Dr Williamson participates in various committees at the University, including University Council and University Senate.
Dr Williamson’s research interests focus on leadership in strategic planning and change management as well as the education and training of the library and information services workforce.
She can be contacted on [email protected]