Shared Power in Supervision
A workshop-style training for nonprofit and public library managers who want to develop the leadership of direct reports and build a culture of shared power at work.
Take your management skills up a notch.
Hold better meetings, share decision-making with your team, and increase collaboration and accountability.
Watch the video to learn more >>>
Watch the video to learn more >>>
Shared power leadership benefits employees, managers, and organizations.
Supervising with a shared power approach creates capacity and space to better serve the communities we work within. In this 4-hour training, new and seasoned supervisors will learn how to...
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Understand power in the management role
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Share decision-making and authority with employees—while concurrently providing clear expectations and support
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Create an organizational culture of trust and accountability
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Make the most of meetings and communications
Meet Your Instructors!
Instructor | Facilitator
Mia Henry
Mia Henry (she | her) is a nationally-recognized trainer, facilitator, and leadership coach. She is the CEO of Freedom Lifted, a firm that provides trainings for nonprofits and public libraries grounded in justice and equity. Previously, Mia was the founding director of the Chicago Freedom School and the executive director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. She has degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as knowledge passed down from elders and ancestors and gifted through collaborative relationships with communities across the US.
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Neighborhood Services Manager
JoLyn Reisdorf
JoLyn Reisdorf (she | her) is the Neighborhood Services Manager at Tacoma Public Library. She has worked in libraries since 2006, serving as a neighborhood services manager for three years. JoLyn has been consciously working on a shared leadership approach with her team since 2021 and documenting the results. She recently presented on this topic at the Back in Circulation Conference at the University of Madison School of Information in October 2024.
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What People Are Saying
about Justice at Work
I left feeling good about myself and my organization.
"I have been to quite a few 'how to be a manager' workshops and I have to say, I never left one of them feeling good. This workshop felt different. I didn’t feel like I was doing things wrong and I didn’t hear a lot of 'Don’t do ….'. I did hear a lot of acknowledgement of the awkward role we are in as supervisors and managers. I did hear a lot of helpful approaches and relatable scenarios. The two presenters balanced each other well. The break out rooms had clear instructions and resulted in helpful sharing with colleagues. The training focused on positive change and I left feeling good about myself and my organization. I’m so jazzed on this!"
It will introduce great concepts of being an effective supervisor.
“I loved how the training reinforced so many good practices effective supervisors should do with their staff regularly. It has influenced my work by helping me to reinforce using the tools shared in the training with all of my Supervising Librarians to use with their teams. I would recommend this training to staff who have reports because it will introduce great concepts of being an effective supervisor (if someone is new to this work) and remind seasoned supervisors of what they should be doing with their teams, if they’re not doing [these things] already."
Frequently Asked Questions
Shared Power in Supervision FAQs
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Who is this training for?
Ideal participants are nonprofit and public library staff who want to strengthen their relationships with direct reports. This includes those who are new to management roles and seasoned management staff. Participants should have fewer than 10 direct reports.
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How much does the training cost?
The fee for the training is $495/person. If you would like training for a staff group (virtually or on-site), please scroll to the bottom of this page.
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What is the format and duration of the training?
The training is delivered virtually via Zoom. It’s designed to be both informative and interactive throughout 4 hours (including multiple breaks).
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When will the training be offered?
The next training is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025.
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What time will the training happen?
Join us at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm PST/ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm MST/ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm CST/ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST
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What does the training include?
The training includes approximately 3.5 hours of instruction and small group planning time (4 hours total, including breaks). Participants also receive 1-year access to an online portal with presentation slides and sample meeting agendas, plus free enrollment in one of our other courses. We also include (optional) ongoing access to office hours with Mia—for more personal and informal support.
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What happens if I register, but cannot attend?
If you are unable to attend the training on the date you selected, you can request to attend on a different date or transfer your registration to another person. Due to the nature of limited seating, we do not offer refunds for registration (unless the event is cancelled).
Exclusive Content for Participants
Take a sneak peek at our supplemental online course portal…
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1
Welcome Managers!
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A message from Mia and JoLyn
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Get ready to take action!
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Template: Your Shared Power in Supervision Action Plan
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Part 1: The Role of Manager, Our Power Choices, and Shared Decision Making
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Discussion: What resources can we offer staff?
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Discussion: How do we better center staff?
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Discussion: How do we create space for feedback and making mistakes?
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Resource: JoLyn's Shared Decision-Making Chart
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Part 2: Accountability and the Expectation of Collaboration
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Resource: Culture Statement from Tacoma Public Library
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Resource: 8 Ways to Show Gratitude to Your Team
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Resource: Guide to Respectful Conversations
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Resource: Mastering Challenging Conversations: A Manager's Guide to Handling Employee Pushback
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Workbook: Turning Towards Each Other: A Conflict Workbook
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Part 3: Meetings and Communications
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Workbook: Standards in Supervision
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Template 1: One-on-One Supervision Meeting Agenda
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Template 2: Development/Check-In Questions
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Template 3: Team Meeting Agenda (from Mia)
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Template 4: Team Meeting Agenda (from JoLyn)
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Scenarios for Libraries
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Library Scenario 1: Swifty Doesn't Want BusyBee's Help
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Library Scenario 2: Barack is DONE with Hillary
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Library Scenario 3: Negative Novak
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Library Scenario 4: Mario and Luigi’s Party Train
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Library Scenario 5: Herding Cats
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Library Scenario 6: Your Own Worst Enemy
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Library Scenario 7: The Band is Upset
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Library Scenario 8: Blue Ivy Doesn't Trust Herself
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Library Scenario 9: Lilo and Stitch Need Answers
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Scenarios for Nonprofits
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Nonprofit Scenario 1: Swifty Doesn't Want BusyBee's Help
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Nonprofit Scenario 2: Barack is DONE with Hillary
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Nonprofit Scenario 3: Negative Novak
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Nonprofit Scenario 4: Mario and Luigi’s Party Train
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Nonprofit Scenario 5: Herding Cats
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Nonprofit Scenario 6: Your Own Worst Enemy
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Nonprofit Scenario 7: The Band is Upset
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Nonprofit Scenario 8: Blue Ivy Doesn't Trust Herself
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Nonprofit Scenario 9: Lilo and Stitch Need Answers
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Training Session Slides and Recordings
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Video Recording: 5/21/25 Training Session
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Slides: 5/21/25 Training Session
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Video Recording: 4/17/25 Training Session
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Slides: 4/17/25 Training Session
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Video Recording: 3/26/25 Training Session
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Slides: 3/26/25 Training Session
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Video Recording: 2/27/25 Training Session
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Slides: 2/27/25 Training Session
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Resources and Next steps
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RESOURCE LIST: Shared Power in Supervision
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What's Next?
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Recommended Reading
For All Training Participants
Everyone attending Shared Power in Supervision is encouraged to get a copy of the book: Leading for Justice: Supervision, HR, and Culture by Rita Sever. This is one of the key resources we refer to in the training.
