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Ten Top Tips for Practice Leadership ACWA Conference Kate Alexander. Practice Leadership. What does it mean?. An argument for change. or two…. Aboriginal families . …. is not always clear. Our mandate . Our time. …. is not always best spent . Children away from family.
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Ten Top Tips for Practice Leadership ACWA Conference Kate Alexander
Practice Leadership What does it mean?
An argument for change or two….
…. is not always clear Our mandate
Our time …. is not always best spent
Children away from family • What has happened • What we know
1. The key is relationships “No matter what the theoretical model by which one human being attempts to be of help to another, the most potent and dynamic power for influence lies in the relationship”. Pearlman 1972
….more on relationships Tools are only as good as those who use them
… and never cross it. 2. Know your line in the sand..
… still on number 2 • It’s about how we use our statutory power • It’s about how we define success
3. Know the difference … .. between the “knowing and the doing”
4. It’s not us and them “If we think about it, save for the vagaries of birth, errant biology, class and status, or simply circumstance, we are all but a half step away from the “other” families we describe as in need of service or “at risk”. In the final analysis, it is not “us” and “them”. It is all of us. Together.” Whittaker in McKeown 2000
Walk a mile Be honest Work on empathy Check your glasses more on that…
….it’s about context • What’s your frame? • Be curious • On cooperation
5. Reflection What does it mean?
“if we want staff to work at the interface of pain, poverty and powerlessness, and to stay close enough to the action, we must help them feel safe enough” Tony Morrison 1989
..depends on modelling • A lesson from medicine • Practise Practice and what we preach • Admit to uncertainty
… and still “The single most important factor in minimising errors is to admit you may be wrong” Dr Eileen Munro
know your gurus…. Reading Learning Thinking Talking
… keep the fires burning • Interest • Passion • Strength
… the domino effect 7. Relationships repeat..
and repeat… The experience of families: • 85% said they felt respected by their worker • 81% felt they could stick to the agreed case plan • 79% said they felt listened to • 76% said they felt that they were a part of finding the solution. Minnesota in 2007
.. and repeat Experience of children • “Does your social worker talk with you alone, without anyone else listening to what you are saying?” • “How good is your social worker at giving you information you need from them?” • “Does your social worker take notice of your feelings or your wishes?” • “What would be good ways for professionals to find out your wishes and your feelings?”
8. Demand respect ….. what’s being said in your kitchen?
9. A lot is in a word The power of language
..still talking about talking • How do we describe violence? • How do we describe families?
