Responsive Leadership in Social Services: A Practical Approach for Optimizing Engagement and Performance

Abstract

Acknowledgments Preface About the Author PART I. A Case for Responsive Leadership Chapter 1. Embracing Social Service Realities: Impediments to Preferred Practice and Quality Supervision Social Service Workers: A Motivated and Committed Resource Social Services: A Tough Work Environment The Loss of Great Helpers: Implications for Employee and Client Outcomes Supervision: A Possible Solution in a Crisis Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations References Chapter 2. Responsive Leadership: From Supervision to Inspiration Leadership Defined Quality and Effective Leadership: Key Ingredients The Road to Responsive Leadership Approach The Building Blocks of a Responsive Leadership Approach The Guiding Priorities of Responsive Leadership Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations PART II. From Concepts to Practice: Responsive Leadership Strategies and Tools Chapter 3. Perception Is Everything Perceptions of Effective Supervision and Quality Leadership The Employee and the Employee's Story The Preferred Leadership Profile: Purpose The Preferred Leadership Profile: Structure and Process Ensuring Success: The Dos and Don'ts of the PLP Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations References Chapter 4. Meaning Making: Practical Strategies for Understanding and Accessing the Employee Story Discovery and the Employee Story Barriers to an Accurate Understanding of the Employee Story Well-Intentioned and Unfortunate Pitfalls: Two Very Different Case Situations The Importance of Relationships and Communication Getting to Better by Accessing the Employee Story Responsive Leadership: Priorities, Strategies, and Tools Responsive Communication and Relations-Oriented Discovery Discovery Responses and Discovery Questions Making Meaning of the Challenge for Valerie Important Comments on Meaning-Making Responses and Questions Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations Chapter 5. A Strengths Focus and Quality Leadership A Dire Need to Emphasize Strengths Challenges to a Strengths Focus in Supervision and Management A Problem Focus and Implications for Workers Using a Strengths Approach to Enhance Quality Leadership The Profound Implications of a Strengths Approach Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations References Chapter 6. Doing Quality Leadership: Practical Strategies for Inspiring Relationship Domain Vision and Values Domain Mission and Goals Domain Appreciative Domain Personal and/or Professional Growth Domain Feedback Domain Strengths Domain Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations Chapter 7. Understanding and Approaching Resistance and Opposition What Are Resistance and Opposition? Types of Resistance and Opposition A Real Dilemma: Misunderstanding Employee Resistance and Opposition Common and Problematic Beliefs About Resistance and Opposition A Different Perspective: Resistance and Opposition as Information Proactive Approaches for Minimizing and Even Eliminating Opposition and Resistance Important Considerations for Supervisors to Avoid Resistance Altogether Similar Behaviors, Different Meaning Guiding Principles for Dealing Effectively With Resistance and Opposition Revisiting Situation 2 From Chapter 4: Getting James Back on the Floor Care-Fronting James: Approaching Resistance and Opposition, A Process Guide for Leaders Summary of Important Points Personal Leader Reflections and Considerations Chapter 8. Epilogue Where to Go From Here? Final Leadership Reflections and Considerations Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D