Leadership Models in Macro and Community Practice: Survey and Application

This presentation analyzes the present understanding of social work leadership by exploring the application, effectiveness, and development of leadership models to macro and community practice environments. The session presents a study and synthesis of leadership models as related to the distinct philosophical, ethical, and historical foundations of social work macro practice while highlighting opportunities to adapt, develop, and integrate macro leadership practice frameworks to increase proficiencies in meeting the needs of diverse and complex populations and environments. In strengthening the conceptualization of social workers as leaders, the presentation introduces a model of social work prevention leadership developed by the presenter that integrates social justice principles and transformational leadership theory in prevention work with military affiliated populations.

The Military Macro Practice Leadership Model (MMPLM) aims to provide key social work leadership knowledge, strategies and competencies that support solutions around the reduction of harmful behaviors in military communities. As applied in the prevention of intimate partner violence, this session demonstrates how the MMLPM’s core domains underpin a leadership curriculum for social work administrators in family violence work.