Thoughts to Ponder on Macro Practice

To find different points of views and definitions of what others think macro practice in social work is I interviewed three social workers at my field placement.

Introducing..

Pauline Carlson, MSW-Family Service Manager

Pauline's definition of macro social work practice is working with community systems, and advocating for better policies and circumstances for less fortunate populations. Macro practices that she's  involved in are the National Head Start Association Board which focuses on policy practices for this agency. Also lobbying and awareness at the State House, and being a part of Community Services of Greater Brockton meetings. These meetings help to connect with different agencies and provide information and referral references for client systems. About 25% of her work is devoted to macro practice activities. She feels that leadership skills that are important for a macro practice social worker are to be a good public speaker and have good team building qualities.

Deb Archer, MSW LISW-Family Service Manager

Deb's description of macro social work practice is looking at the bigger picture. Taking policies and systems into consideration and learning how they work well or not so well. Utilizing these policies to help communities and systems. Macro practice that she is involved in consist of the State House lobbying, and being part of the DCF Board. About 20% of her  work is devoted to macro practice activities, although she feels that it should be more. Good leadership skills that she thinks works best with macro practice consist of being comfortable with large groups and speaking, and having great awareness on the state and local levels of systems and policies. 

Grace Bermingham, BSW-Family Advocate

Grace's explanation of what macro social work practice is by utilizing all the sources available and applying it to the community and individuals as a whole. She explained that having teams and groups is a great way to make macro practice more effective. Some macro practice activities that she has been involved in are the State House lobbying day, LEAD Day, and a community awareness project for teen pregnancy. She devotes about 15% of her work to macro practice activities. She explained that what she focuses most of her work on comes from the results of macro practice and that without macro practice she wouldn't be able to advocate for her clients and have the resources available with out the results from macro practice. Leadership skills that are important to Grace are having patience, a good communicator, a good motivator, and the ability to challenge people. Without the encouragement from leadership there wouldn't be as many positive outcomes and as much support.

Leadership is...

After interviews with these three individuals it made me realize how important leadership skills are and that there are so many different qualities that make a good leader. Being a leader isn't just about bossing people around and having the most knowledge. It is being able to connect with others on a personable level and allow them so see you as a leader. Being confident in one self is one of the most important leadership qualities one can have. The ability to build relationships and bonds with the people you are working with allows you to have great communication with the group.  In one of the Community Tok Box readings it discusses the difference in leadership styles. I feel this is a very important aspect of leadership to consider. Leadership styles help to connect within parts of the organization and outside of the organization or community. Confidence is also key, because when you are confident in yourself and see yourself as a leader then others will see you as a leader. Being comfortable in your own skin and where you are can make the biggest difference and most effective message.