My goal is to be a social work leader who practices the craft of social justice, continually pursuing improvements and innovations. Social work should be community-based, led by those with lived experience, and consistently focused on equity and inclusion. This portfolio demonstrates my leadership philosophy through an example of applied skills. My hope is to frame my approach to leadership and social services as trauma-informed, client-centered, staff-centered, and always with an opening for feedback.
This portfolio contains four major components: a philosophy statement, a key project, critical reflection/analysis, and an invitation to connect. A cornerstone of this portfolio is my leadership philosophy statement. My approach to leadership guides my agendas, actions, decisions, and goals. Through reviewing my key project in connection with critical reflection and analysis, one gains a sense of my style. Social work is about relationships and connection, and this portfolio provides an opportunity for relationship building.
My leadership style is collaborative, staff-centered, strengths-based, and focused on shared values. Equity and inclusion are the threads that stitch all of these components together. ADEI is not merely an aspect of my philosophy; it is the core of my philosophy. Paired with constant reflection and feedback, my behavior as a leader aims to be genuine, authentic, and vulnerable.
I work constantly and strategically to express my values through my work and actions. I center human relationships. I slow down to apply systems thinking to individual-level problems. I act with integrity on behalf of the staff. I engage in reflection and feedback with staff, with peers, and with supervisors. This approach remains grounded in servant and shared leadership theories. I want to be the kind of leader that staff trusts and policymakers look to for guidance and direction. I aim to find a way to bridge the gap between practice and theory, enabling us to see improvements in social services and key policy changes. My goal is to engage staff in a shared leadership model to identify new opportunities for improving workflow and overall well-being. Ultimately, I would like to be an essential part in structuring our staff and services in a way that feels affirming and healing.
I believe that authentic leadership is learned, and that we must develop our approach by incorporating the knowledge of those we hope to lead. Leadership is earned, not deserved. I bring patience, a desire to listen, and openness to a leadership role. I enlist a learner’s mindset, hoping to avoid blind spots created by unchecked confidence. I seek feedback regularly and am sure to solicit what is working, so as not to take two steps back when taking a step forward. Leadership is a practice, something we hone over time and are not satisfied with in its current state. Leadership should adapt, move with intention, and honor those around it. I hope always to be a positive agent of change and stability that centers social justice, equity, inclusion, healing, and intention.