SOCW 6070 wk 7 responses: Responding to 2 peers posts separately please put peer name at the beginning case study also provided
Respond to at least two colleagues in at least one of the following ways:
Expand upon your analysis of the skills the administrator demonstrated.
Describe a strategy your colleague might use to address the aspect of the case study he or she identified as the most challenging.
Peer 1
Jasmine Dixon
RE: Discussion – Week 7
Post an explanation of the types of skills the social work administrator demonstrated as she addressed the problem of Carlas absence at work and the trauma-related events that followed.
The administrator displated skills such as listening, understanding, concern of the well-being of her worker, well as clients, and empathy. The administrator knew the work ethic of the employee and knew this behavior was out of the norm for her. While also concerned about the worker, the administrator understood the well-being of the clients as well. By instructing the receptionist to schedule clients with other workers if a crisis was present demonstrated her ethic and values to the community the agency serves. The administrator remained calm and followed appropriate protocol with staff to minimize conflict and panic within staff.
Following the social workers discovery of death, the administrator followed the ethical code and refrained from providing details to staff and clients. The administrator also protected the clients from setback in treatment by offering services to help with receiving the information of the social worker’s death. In addition to providing services to the staff to address trauma that can follow with grief.
The administrator also followed appropriate protocol to protect the rights of the social worker and the agency in regards to law enforcement and providing information. Each agency has a set plan and policy to follow for trauma and the following conflicts, such as agency lawyers and counseling resources to address workplace trauma. In the situation of this trauma, the administrator remained calm as the leader in order to display competency and strength for her staff, well as remaining humane and respectful by conducting a memorial service for the social worker.
Finally, identify one aspect of the case study that would be most challenging to you if you were the administrator, and explain why.
A challenge for me would be encountering law enforcement. As an administrator of an agency, its important to refrain from situations that may result in legal issues for the agency. As a human being I would want to assist law enforcement with making an arrest in the social workers case by any means necessary, however, its my ethical responsibility to follow the legal policy of the company.
References
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing [Vital Source e-reader].
Peer 2
Randall Walshvelo
RE: Discussion – Week 7
Types of Skills
The multi-service agency program coordinator faced a tragic and challenging situation when one therapist was murdered at her home. The therapist, Carla, was popular and well-liked by everyone within the agency and clients. Therefore, it is a traumatic experience for everyone, including the program coordinator. However, the agency staff and their clients will naturally look directly to the leader for guidance. The leader will need all of their leadership skills to manage this situation. There are several skills required to navigate this to maintain the best possible environment for self, staff, and clients. Few examples of gifts are managing conflict and collaborating with others for resources, and overcoming obstacles.
First, a leader during the traumatic event should manage any conflicts that might occur. A potential conflict occurred when Clara was absent, and her clients showed up for an appointment. The coordinator was able to direct the receptionist to consult with clients, asking them if they want to see another staff or reschedule the appointment. (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen (2014b). The program coordinator maintained effective communication with the receptionist and other staff to avoid any conflict. The coordinator was able to identify the content dimension (Carla’s absence) and relationship dimensions (therapist and client relationship) and bond both together to establish effective communication with the client to understand a potential conflict and preventing it from happening (Northouse, 2021). Therefore, the program coordinator demonstrated skills in communication to manage potential conflicts with clients effectively.
The program coordinator also demonstrated skills by collaborating for extra resources or overcoming the obstacles that might occur among staff. When the team experienced a traumatic event such as Carla’s death, lack of motivation is one possible obstacle (Northouse, 2021), shared by the staff. It requires guidance by the program coordinator to overcome. To overcome staff’s lack of motivation due to grief, the program coordinator used collaborative skills to reach out to the Centre for Living With Dying to assist with staff’s grief process (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen (2014b). Also, the program coordinator was able to refer the team to their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide further services they might need (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen (2014b). Both resources are available for staff’s well-being, and those will not be available without the program coordinator’s skills to recognize the obstacles and overcome them with collaboration skills.
Challenging Aspect of the Case Study
To experience this kind of traumatic event can be very difficult and challenging for every leader. As a leader, just like the program coordinator, in this case, it might be natural to focus on the client and staff’s needs. However, the case study mentioned that the program coordinator was out sick for two days when this occurred (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen (2014b). It seems like that coordinator pushed aside their needs to focus on others. That would be challenging for me, too, to maintain self-care during the traumatic event. I had a similar experience when my father passed away last year; I have assumed a leadership role within the family, taking care of funeral plans, supporting my mother through her grief, and everything else afterward. It was tough for me because I want to make sure everything is moving along smoothly and everyone else is OK, of course, except myself. Eventually, after a stressful moment, I had to step back and take a breath. I realized that I need to make sure I take care of myself too. Any traumatic experience that might occur in the future during my professional career undoubtedly will affect me in different degrees, and I had to remember to make sure I do self-care. However, it might be challenging because of my personality as a leader.
References
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.
Plummer, S.B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing [Vital Source e-reader].
