Social Work - Leadership - Essay Example

Running Header: Social Work Leadership Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Introduction Leadership can be described as the process of social influence whereby an individual can join up support and help of other people in accomplishing a common goal. In some instances, a leader may have or not have formal authority. In the process of influencing others, the leader makes an organization more cohesive and coherent according to Kenneth Boulding. Leaders usually undertake their leadership process through application of skills and knowledge a process referred to as process leadership (Arvey et al, 2006). In any social setting, leadership is of great importance due to high levels of dedication and support required from the groups’ of individuals in order for the set goals and activities to be attained within the given time frame (George, 2000). This essay will discuss social work leadership aspects in Australian social work settings and in particular FaHCSIA as a social organization. It will also discuss a social worker leader who has played a great role of leadership in the community known as Jane Addams. This will incorporate various contemporary leadership theories in relation to the analyzed context. Leadership at FaHCSIA in Australia The Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid or Leadership Grid play a key role in defining leadership theories practised at Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). FaHCSIA is a social organization that is a community based organization that provides services required to support to those who are in need of help (Knight, 2005). FaHCSIA helps support communities through various services and programs with more support being given through funding and grants. Some of the areas that this organization provides assistance include child support, housing, assisting indigenous Australians, mentally ill person and people with disability among other areas. Leadership at FaHCSIA takes the vertical axis which has “concern for people” plotted on it. However, they still have strong elements of “concern for results or tasks” which is along horizontal axis. This makes the leadership at FaHCSIA fall under team leader who are strong on people skills as well as being strong on tasks (Knight, 2005). This type of leadership usually leads by positive example while fostering or gearing towards a team environment. This leadership has been of great significance at FaHCSIA due to high levels demand of their services. They are various styles of leadership that exist in organizations, such include democratic/participative, charismatic, bureaucratic, autocratic, transformative, and task-oriented leadership. At FaHCSIA, the leadership style practised is charismatic leadership which more similar to transformational leadership. This is because leaders a lot of enthusiasm in their working teams driving them forward. FaHCSIA has long-term commitment leadership which is greatly associated with great responsibility (Knight, 2005). The demanding activities undertaken by the organization requires highly motivated teams that are well satisfied. This has led to the leadership at the organization adopt the democratic or participative leadership which increases greatly the job satisfaction of the teams. This style of leadership also develops the skills of the team members. It plays a key role in ensuring that staffs feel to have a control of their own destiny hence becoming motivated to work hard despite financial rewards. Laissez-faire style of leadership is greatly practised at FaHCSIA. Laissez-faire is a French phrase that means “leave it be”. This is usually used to refer to leadership style that leaves their team members work on their own. This has become an effective way at FaHCSIA as leaders mainly monitor what is being achieved and gives the feedback regularly to the team (Knight, 2005). It is through people-oriented/relations-oriented leadership style that FaHCSIA is able to deliver its community based services effectively. This is through ensuring leaders in various departments are totally focused on supporting, organizing, as well as developing individuals in their teams. This in a great extent encourages good teamwork as well creative collaboration. In addition, it is a style of leadership, Task-Oriented leadership is rarely practised at community based organizations like FaHCSIA. This is because it cannot achieve much as those types of leaders don’t think much about the welfare of teams hence having a lot of difficulties in motivating and retaining staff (Knight, 2005). Purpose of leadership at FaHCSIA The great purpose of effective social settings leadership is to ensure that the anticipated services that the organization is expected to provide to the society are provided with efficiency. Leadership is crucial in FaHCSIA as it ensures there is excellent teamwork and increased motivation and participation of the workers. Such is achieved through transformative leadership style. Effective leadership skills play a key role in encouraging creativity among the team members. Leadership at the organization ensures that individuals at all levels of management are able to gain and learn inherent qualities including cognitive and personality abilities. It is through effective leadership that leaders at FaHCSIA are able to motivate their followers. This can be illustrated by the Path-Goal theory. According to this theory, leaders usually motivate their followers in an effort to accomplish the set goals through clarifying the paths and eliminating obstacles in ensuring high performance. According to this theory, individuals are motivated and more focused when they believe they have capability to perform efficiently and have better results and outcomes. This is because most of the services it provides require emergency and proper management due to high demand of finances and workforce needed at one instance (Lazzari, Colarossi & Collins, 2009). Such a situation is when emergency relief is required in areas that may face flooding or fires. Those areas require quick response to ensure the disaster does not result to a lot of damages. This can mainly be reduced by proper logistics. Diversified areas of assistance that FaHCSIA provides demands high level of leadership not only because of high levels of activities involved, but mainly due to high number of staff or individuals involved hence the need to influence them in a greater way (George, 2000). This is towards ensuring the organization working teams are greatly influenced towards achieving the set goals and ensuring the organization becomes more cohesive and coherent in order for it to become efficient. Leaders at FaHCSIA apply skills and knowledge in their leadership process hence they can be said to have process leadership traits. Leader - Jane Addams There have been several leaders who have led their organizations to success in the world. Several of them have been recognized due to their excellent achievements as a result of their good leadership traits (Arvey et al, 2006). Such leaders have made their organizations to excel in terms of financial gain as well as technology excellence. Some have excelled in terms of providing high levels of services to the community without necessary having the aim of making profit. One such prominent social leader is Jane Addams. She demonstrated high levels of leadership during her lifetime (Sept. 6, 1860 - May 21, 1935) (Ivancevich, Konopaske, & Matteson, 2007). Jane portrayed leadership skills to an extent that she was the first American Woman to receive the Prize of Nobel prize. Her social leadership traits are also illustrated by her selfless giving to the poor. She was also a reformer in laws related to labor reforms. These were laws that looked at the working conditions among women and children (Knight, 2005). Jane‘s type of leadership that is clearly visible is servant leadership. Servant leadership is a notion which emphasises the duty of a leader to serve his followers. This indicates that leadership arises from a desire to serve others other than a desire to lead. Therefore, Jane’s servant leadership qualities were clearly visible when she started assisting the needy women and children especially in Chicago slums (Knight, 2005). This made her to be viewed not only as a inventor but also as a leader. People would even get around her due to her generosity and braveness to lead and assist society. Servant leaders have characteristic which is a practical philosophy that assists individuals who choose to serve first and then lead as a way of service expansion to community. Servant leadership as portrayed by Jane encourages foresight, listening, collaboration, and ethical utilization of empowerment and power. At Hull, she influenced patrons into such a way that the Hull House was able to offer free medical care, legal aid and child care. It is through her leadership influences that immigrants were able to learn vocational skills, art, learn English, and drama in the classes provided in Hull House (Arvey et al, 2006). After a severe depression of 1893 that hit hard the country, Hull house was assisting more than 2000 people per week. However, politics increased with increase of charitable efforts. This made Jane to realize that for poverty to end, there was need to adjust laws. Jane led workers to lobby the Illinois state to re-examine laws that governed child labor, juvenile justice system, and system of factory inspection (Knight, 2005). Her leadership ensured legislation to protect exploitation of immigrants was worked on. It is through her that legislation to limit women’s working hours was adjusted. She also ensured that it was a mandate for the children to attend to school, labor unions were also recognized with industrial safety and related laws being given much more priorities. It is through that change of legislation that eventually led to right to vote for women. It is through her transformative leadership qualities that Jane started working on behalf of economic reform (Knight, 2005). This type of leadership assisted her in inspiring and motivating the followers while bringing change in the working environment and community. In 1911, Jane became the first vice-president of the National American Suffrage Association. Jane supported workers during Haymarket riot to such an extent that she was attacked in allegations that she supported them. This led to great loss after donor withdrew their support for Hull House. Nevertheless, she demonstrated her excellent charismatic leadership qualities by funding the Hull House through lecture tours and article writing revenues. Charismatic leadership as portrayed by Jane has natural ability of attracting individuals as well as inspiring commitment to their cause (Arvey et al, 2006). Jane also had visionary style of leadership, according to this theory; the leader has the capability of seeing how the things can be in future other than what things are. It is through her visionary leadership style that Jane led to formation of several social movements in an effort to fight for the freedom and welfare of the community. Some of the movements that she formed included American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (Arvey et al, 2006). It is due to her leadership skills that she was elected as the first president of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in 1919. Nevertheless, Hull House through her leadership became successful. A lot of things she had advocated and fought for became policies when Franklin Roosevelt was president. This made her win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 (Knight, 2005). Leadership Theories As stated earlier, leaders undertake their process through the application of skills and knowledge. Therefore, Jane was such one leader who clearly demonstrated the characteristic of process leadership (Ivancevich, Konopaske, & Matteson, 2007). She used her skills, knowledge to ensure the community got its rights, and that the needy in society received the assistance they required. She interacted largely with those she was fighting for and she knew every need that they required. She also has clearly identifiable traits that greatly influenced the action of those she was working with and those who followed her. Therefore, she can be viewed to have trait leadership. She was intelligent, extroversion, and fluent. According to George (2000), knowledge and skills directly contributes leadership process. Jane was such a leader who had a lot of attribute, knowledge, and skills on how to lead society. They are various theories of leadership that have developed with time, some of the most common theories include “Great Man” Theories, Trait theories, Contigency Theories, situational theories, behavioural theories, participative theories, management theories, and relationship theories (Ivancevich, Konopaske, & Matteson, 2007). However, this essay discusses some of these theories and others that relates to the leadership discussed earlier. According to Bass’ theory of leadership, they are basically three ways that explain how people become leaders: some of the personality traits can naturally lead individuals to leadership roles and it’s usually referred to as Trait theory (Ivancevich, Konopaske, & Matteson, 2007). Another way when a crisis or a crucial occasion may result to a person rise to the occasion bringing out the special qualities of leadership in a person of which is known as Great Events Theory. Lastly, individuals can opt to become leaders. This is through learning leadership traits and skills. This is usually referred to as process or transformative leadership (Arvey et al, 2006). According to the theories, Jane can be categorized under trait theory as her leadership qualities were acquired naturally. However, Great Events Theory can be applied as well as in some occasions she was offering leadership skills when they were crises like when rights for women and children were in crises. Moreover, several theories of leadership continue to relate to the leadership traits of Jane. Such theory includes “Great Man”. This theory assumes that leadership capacity is inherent. It argues that leaders are made and not born. Jane developed her leadership capacity with time and due to varying situations and to a certain extent, it can be believed that her she was not born with leadership qualities (George, 2000). They are usually a process to great leadership. The road to successful leadership involves several stage and aspects including challenging the process whereby one needs to find a process that one feels requires the need to be improved in a greater way (Northouse, 2007). Another one of inspiring a shared vision whereby the vision is shared in words in such a way that followers can clearly understand. The third one involves enabling others to act by giving them ways and tools of solving problems. Modelling the way is also another way whereby the leader shows others that everything is possible (George, 2000). Lastly, encouragement of the heart is a crucial aspect where the glory is shared with the followers while at the same keeping the pains within oneself. In this case and as stated earlier, the ways by which Jane became a great leader in a greater extent followed the road as stated above. She challenged the processes that she felt they were not providing the rights to society, she shared her vision, she also enabled others to act, she modelled the way to success, and she encouraged those she worked with and her followers. Contemporary leadership According to Rost, contemporary leadership comprises of the following 4 basic components that are to be there for a specific relationship to be referred as leadership. 1). The relationship is based on influence which is multidirectional without necessary a coercive influences. Jane as a leader established a relationship with the community he intended to assist. 2). Followers and their leaders are individuals in this relationship hence both are engaging in leadership. However, does not say that everyone is equal to another in a relationship although active players practise multidirectional influence. Like the case of Jane, she ensured that she had firm relationship with community and those she intended to assist. This is also the case with FaHCSIA organization where leaders develop a clear working relationship with other staff at all levels. 3). Leaders and their followers promote and decisively seek substantial changes. This is clearly demonstrated at FaHCSIA. Jane in all instances had a purpose of seeking substantial changes in society. 4). The changes intended by leaders and followers reflect their common purposes that does not reflect only the wishes on the leader but that of the followers (Arvey et al, 2006). Such is the case with FaHCSIA where leaders ensure the views of its staff are taken into consideration. Therefore, contemporary leadership operate in such a way that power is shared between the leaders and followers. Leaders do not have all the powers and answers to undertake extensive changes. Conclusion In conclusion, it is clear that any social work leadership requires dedicated and hardworking leader. It is through understanding and social interaction of its leaders that FaHCSIA has been able to succeed in its operations in Australia. It has been able to achieve its set objectives of assisting the needy in society as well as other set objectives and goals. Jane was also able to excel in her leadership as a result of dedication, skills and intelligence to led others (Arvey et al, 2006). This made her excel to greater heights as a leader to an extent of winning Nobel Prize award. Leadership in any social setting is of great importance in ensuring that those organizations deliver their expected results in a great way. References Arvey, R., Rptundo, M., Johnson, W., Zhang, Z & McGue, M 2006, The determinants of leadership role occupancy: Genetic and Personality factors, The Leadership Quarterly, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-20. George, J 2000, Emotions and Leadership: The role of emotional intelligence, Journal of Human Relations, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 1027-1055. Ivancevich, J., Konopaske, R., & Matteson, M 2007, Organizational Behavior and Management, New York, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Knight, L 2005, Citizen: Jane Addams and the struggle for Democrazy, Chicago, University of Chicago Press. Lamb, L & McKee, K 2004, Applied Public Relations: Cases in Stakeholder Management, New Jersey, Routledge. Lazzari, M., Colarossi, L., & Collins, K 2009, Feminist in Social Work: where have all the ladders gone? 18 September. Northouse, G 2007, Leadership theory and Practice, London, Sage Inc. Read More

The demanding activities undertaken by the organization requires highly motivated teams that are well satisfied. This has led to the leadership at the organization adopt the democratic or participative leadership which increases greatly the job satisfaction of the teams. This style of leadership also develops the skills of the team members. It plays a key role in ensuring that staffs feel to have a control of their own destiny hence becoming motivated to work hard despite financial rewards. Laissez-faire style of leadership is greatly practised at FaHCSIA.

Laissez-faire is a French phrase that means “leave it be”. This is usually used to refer to leadership style that leaves their team members work on their own. This has become an effective way at FaHCSIA as leaders mainly monitor what is being achieved and gives the feedback regularly to the team (Knight, 2005). It is through people-oriented/relations-oriented leadership style that FaHCSIA is able to deliver its community based services effectively. This is through ensuring leaders in various departments are totally focused on supporting, organizing, as well as developing individuals in their teams.

This in a great extent encourages good teamwork as well creative collaboration. In addition, it is a style of leadership, Task-Oriented leadership is rarely practised at community based organizations like FaHCSIA. This is because it cannot achieve much as those types of leaders don’t think much about the welfare of teams hence having a lot of difficulties in motivating and retaining staff (Knight, 2005). Purpose of leadership at FaHCSIA The great purpose of effective social settings leadership is to ensure that the anticipated services that the organization is expected to provide to the society are provided with efficiency.

Leadership is crucial in FaHCSIA as it ensures there is excellent teamwork and increased motivation and participation of the workers. Such is achieved through transformative leadership style. Effective leadership skills play a key role in encouraging creativity among the team members. Leadership at the organization ensures that individuals at all levels of management are able to gain and learn inherent qualities including cognitive and personality abilities. It is through effective leadership that leaders at FaHCSIA are able to motivate their followers.

This can be illustrated by the Path-Goal theory. According to this theory, leaders usually motivate their followers in an effort to accomplish the set goals through clarifying the paths and eliminating obstacles in ensuring high performance. According to this theory, individuals are motivated and more focused when they believe they have capability to perform efficiently and have better results and outcomes. This is because most of the services it provides require emergency and proper management due to high demand of finances and workforce needed at one instance (Lazzari, Colarossi & Collins, 2009).

Such a situation is when emergency relief is required in areas that may face flooding or fires. Those areas require quick response to ensure the disaster does not result to a lot of damages. This can mainly be reduced by proper logistics. Diversified areas of assistance that FaHCSIA provides demands high level of leadership not only because of high levels of activities involved, but mainly due to high number of staff or individuals involved hence the need to influence them in a greater way (George, 2000).

This is towards ensuring the organization working teams are greatly influenced towards achieving the set goals and ensuring the organization becomes more cohesive and coherent in order for it to become efficient. Leaders at FaHCSIA apply skills and knowledge in their leadership process hence they can be said to have process leadership traits. Leader - Jane Addams There have been several leaders who have led their organizations to success in the world. Several of them have been recognized due to their excellent achievements as a result of their good leadership traits (Arvey et al, 2006).

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