Facilitative Leadership in Social Work Practice - Springer Publishing

Introduction
as a refresher in group dynamics and leadership skills for those who are at
an intermediate skill level. Our objectives are that, after reading this book,
leaders will be able to:
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Understand the concept of facilitative leadership and how it relates to the
social work code of ethics
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Clarify the facilitative leader’s role and distinguish it from a trainer, consultant,
or chairperson
■■
Understand concepts of leadership and how they apply to social work in
group process
■■
Develop skills in performing facilitative leadership without sacrificing a
stakeholder position
■■
Identify the phases of group development and their significance
■■
Discuss communication and intervention techniques and their situational
value to others who perform facilitative leadership tasks
■■
Gain comfort and demonstrate competence in the use of group process
techniques
■■
Learn to be a facilitative leader of group process regardless of the formal
role you have been assigned in the group
Social workers know that throughout their careers, they will need a multitude
of skills, depending on who is defined as the client and what social work
role is identified as most beneficial. The Preamble to the National Association
of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (2008) informs us that the term client
incorporates “Individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.”
Social workers participate in meetings on behalf of any or all of these
micro, mezzo, and macro clients.
Identified roles in social work practice commonly include enabler, mediator,
coordinator, manager, educator, analyst/evaluator, broker, facilitator, initiator,
negotiator, and advocate (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, pp. 46–48).
The skills required to fulfill these roles are called upon every day in work with
clients and colleagues. The role of facilitative leader incorporates pieces from
many of these roles, as you will see throughout the following chapters. This
book proposes that facilitative leader be added to your list of social work roles.
We hope these lessons and the tools contained herein will enhance your
understanding of the role of the facilitative leader to the betterment of meeting
attendees everywhere.
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