Forging Solutions Out of Challenges takes the work of a leader. There is a misconception that only directors and managers are leaders. Workplace leadership happens at every level. Leadership development needs to be a part of every social work career growth plan whether you are a recent BSW, MSW, or PhD graduate or an experienced social worker. Social workers need to leverage their knowledge, skills, and techniques and mentor others in areas where they excel to lead the profession in Forging Solutions Out of Challenges.

One challenge to creating a leadership development plan is deciding how to start. Do I need to attend a specific training? Who can mentor me? What leadership resources are available? Should I get a coach? The Producktivity® Principles are the social worker’s solution to creating her/his plan. This series of blogs will provide you with the strategies for using Producktivity®: a unique, interactive personal and professional organizational tool that assists individuals and organizations with improving their decision making and time management skills. Producktivity® is based on three principles: Identify. Connect. Organize.

Principle #1: Identify

Identifying your ducks gives you the foundation to make an informed decision. There are different ways to gather information and the use of a variety of methods helps you identify all of your possibilities. Strategies include Brainstorm, Collect Data, andResearch.

Principle #2: Connect

This is a critical principle that tends to be overlooked. You are so eager to check something off of your ever-growing list that you forget to take a step back and reflect on the bigger picture. What is your vision, and how will your ducks add value to your pond? It is imperative to critically analyze and make the connections between the information collected and what is needed from your human and financial resources to accomplish your goals. Strategies includeDream Big, Analyze, and Define Resources.

Principle #3: Organize

Because you took the necessary time to identify your ducks and connect with your vision, organizing will be easier. Planning and prioritizing your tasks allows you to manage your time more efficiently and achieve your personal and professional goals more effectively. Strategies include Plan, Prioritize, and Manage Time.  These principles allow you to move your ideas to action by providing the necessary framework for effective decision making and prioritization.

Knowing where you want to be in the future inspires the decisions you make today. –Emily Tevault, Chief Producktivity® Officer