Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?" on March 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Leadership is essential at every level of an organization, as experienced library leaders reach retirement age, the next generation of leaders must be prepared to take the helm. Leadership is not confined to the administrative level of the organization, as a leader might be found in any role and any level in the organization. To ensure the next generation of library leaders are prepared, one needs to know what makes an effective leader. Research indicates that the qualities of an effective leader are evolving from a focus on professional competencies to an emphasis on the character traits of the individual. A balance of competencies and character are needed for effective leadership. This presentation will explore how leadership qualifications have evolved over time and what defines an effective leader today.

It's never too late! 

Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?

Presenters:

Anita Winger, Associate Professor of Practice / Discovery, Systems & Innovation Librarian, Mississippi State University Libraries, Mississippi State, MS

Registration Fees:

Core Member: $57.85
ALA Member: $80.10
Nonmember: $89.00
Student: $44.50

How Do I Purchase Group Registration?

You can register a group by specifying the number of people who will be accessing the webinar during checkout. We offer webinars discounts based on the number of registrations you specify at checkout. If you are a Core member, you can purchase seats for yourself and your colleagues at the Core discount rate; ALA's new e-Learning store allows you to extend Core member savings to colleagues at your institution.

Can't attend the live event? No problem! All registrants will receive a link to the recorded session for later viewing at their convenience.

Register online or by phone at 1-800-545-2433 (press 1 to reach our customer service representatives).

For questions or comments related to Core webinars, please contact Core staff at corece@ala.org.

About Core

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning. Core is a division of the American Library Association. Follow us on our Blog, Instagram and LinkedIn.