I think it would be helpful to discuss specific types of leadership that are specifically beneficial and helpful within the social work field. For example, one study completed by Tafvelin looked at Transformational Leadership within the social work context. Looking at how this specific type of leadership can play out within the social work field.
Below is a diagram that gives a brief overview of the core elements of Transformational Leadership.
Transformational leadership corresponds perfectly with the core values and ethics that the profession of social work holds.
In Tafvelin’s study of this specific leadership model called Transformational Leadership in the Social Work Context: The Importance of Leader Continuity and Co-Worker Support they found a direct and positive effect of transformational leadership in social work and they said this helped with the employees having both clarity of role and commitment to it. It also showed the importance of the employees spending time with the leader as well. Transformational Leadership is a very good format for helping effectively lead through change, which seems to be one of the only constants when it comes to social services. Implementing Transformational Leadership can increase performance and decrease turnover.
I think this is really interesting and would have loved to have looked more specifically at some of these specific leadership models and how they would play out within the profession of social work.