Leadership Development

General Description
The future of the geriatric social work profession depends on our current and future generations of leaders whose vision and drive will motivate more students to join the profession and shape aging-care policy for years to come.

Participants in the HPPAE are encouraged and trained to become leaders in the field of social work education and geriatric social work practice. The HPPAE provides different opportunities for leadership, depending on the participants role:

• For faculty members who initiate an HPPAE program, leadership means both the ability to inspire students to pursue careers in aging care and the responsibility to build a sustainable programfrom making the case for support to the schools dean to developing a network of field instructors to mentor your students.

• For deans and directors at schools that have implemented an HPPAE program, leadership means being at the forefront of developing the workforce of social workers to care for Americas future and setting an example for other schools to follow in adopting this rotational, competency-based, partnership model of learning. The Social Work Leadership Institute launched the inaugural Deans and Directors Leadership Academy in July 2008.

• For field directors charged with placing students in agencies through the HPPAE, leadership means being a key liaison between the university and the local community, helping to foster a mutually beneficial partnership that will serve academic, clinical, and public-interest goals.

• For field instructors who direct internships for HPPAE students, leadership means introducing newcomers to the rewards of caring for older adults and dispelling some of the myths and fears about the geriatric professions.

• For students who complete the HPPAE curriculum, leadership means becoming ambassadors for the field of aging care, whether that takes the form of mentoring students, educating colleagues from related professions, or contributing to and influencing public policy to improve aging care. Learn more about the HPPAE Alumni and Student Network and how you can get involved in aging opportunities by visiting us at, http://socialworkleadership.org/nsw/students/featured.php.
  

Leadership Qualities
Regardless of the specific opportunities for leadership that the HPPAE provides, there are certain qualities of leadership common to all leaders and certain activities that social work educators and students can take to advance the issues of aging care.

Theories abound as to what makes a leader, but there are at least five characteristics common to all good leaders:

1. A leader knows the intended outcome.
   When you ask people to follow youin launching an HPPAE or any endeavoryou need to know up front what your ultimate goal is, and how you expect people to participate in reaching that goal.
   
   
2. A leader builds collaborations with individuals holding different opinions.
   In academia, as in any business or institution, you will encounter smart people who disagree with your ideas and approach. The key to success is to engage in dialogue and find common ground so that these individuals can become part of, not opposed to, your plans.
   
   
3. A leader doesnt take slights personally.
   When a colleague or peer seems to behave in a disrespectful manner toward you, try not to take it personally. There may be a host of reasons why that person is dissatisfiedsome having nothing to do with you, and some related to legitimate concerns that the person has about your leadership style. Work on improving the relationship, not defending your position.
   
   
4. A leader knows what an audience is ready for.
   There is such a thing as a good idea whose time has not yet come. Be sensitive to the assumptions, workload, and habits of the people who you want to follow your big idea. It may take some time to lay the groundwork and make a few internal adjustments before your group or institution can move forward.
   
   
5. A leader is prepared to succeed.
   There is an old saying: Be careful what you wish for, because it may happen. Look beyond achieving your goal to how you will sustain it. Put the systems in place to handle success when it comes.

Leadership Activities
There are two critical things you can do as a leader in the field of geriatric social work:

1. Work to improve the perception that other professions (including other social workers) have of the discipline.
2. Become advocates for improved policies that support healthy, independent aging for older adults and support for their caregivers.

Specific activities that HPPAE participants are encouraged to pursue include:

• Develop a macro view of aging care; i.e., connect your understanding of individual client issues to the big picture of policy, demographics, funding, workforce supply, etc.
• Initiate special projectsfrom developing the idea to finding funding.
• Prepare papers and posters for presentation at conferences and meetings.
• Keep abreast of relevant legislative issues, from tuition reimbursement to health-insurance coverage.
• Polish your communications skills, including the ability to express ideas clearly in writing and on the page and to be a dynamic presenter.
• Get others committed to studying, teaching, and/or practicing geriatric social work.
• Learn how to do policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal level.
• Engage with the media, including writing op-eds and letters to the editor and using your research to pitch stories to the media.