Once you look inside at who you are as a leader you can start looking outside of yourself to round out your leadership style. Leadership success requires an ongoing commitment to your own growth and professional development. This means going beyond the continuing education required for social work licensure to include, but not limited to formal leadership training and specialized study in key practice areas. Social workers can look for opportunities to learn from others who are employed in a similar capacity. Professional organizations can provide valuable networking opportunities, access to the latest research, and admission into industry conferences and events.
Some available resources for networking, leadership development, career growth, and personal protection for social workers are:
- Association of Social Work Boards: organization that strengthens protection of the public by providing support and services to the social work regulatory community to advance safe, competent, and ethical practices
- Council on Social Work Education: accrediting agency for social work education
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW): national, state, and local membership association for social workers
- NASW Assurance Services: provides malpractice and risk management insurance for social workers
- Network for Social Work Management: brings together social workers to share ideas, discuss challenges, and enhance skills
- Start Smart Career Center: started by social workers to provide guidance to women leaders
- The New Social Worker: the social work careers magazine
Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change.Barbara Mikulski, Social Worker and U.S. Senator for Maryland