Chpt. 1 Flashcards
What is the main focus of the chapter ‘Lending a Helping Hand’?
Enhancing professional practice, quality services, and the work environment
What individual choices do practitioners face in an organizational setting?
When to take action, how mentoring influences attitude, and deciding when to move on
Why is it not realistic to tackle every source of dissatisfaction in the workplace?
It is neither realistic nor productive to take on every issue
What should practitioners determine regarding organizational issues?
Which issues are high priority and amenable to change
What is a key strategy for practitioners to focus on meaningful organizational change?
Choosing areas for intervention wisely
What are the potential consequences of acting on every concern in the workplace?
Burnout, misjudgment of situations, less client interaction
True or False: Practitioners should engage in meaningful organizational change.
True
Fill in the blank: By choosing the areas in which you wish to intervene wisely, you will be more able to focus your energy on the change efforts that most _______.
[matter]
What is the role of a change agent in an organization?
To be part of meaningful organizational and social transformation
According to the chapter, what is a risk of spending too much time on organizational dynamics?
Spending less time working with clients
What is the consequence of complaining about multiple issues frequently?
Individuals who complain frequently may be discounted and not taken seriously when they raise important issues.
(Leigh, 2019)
What should you ensure before suggesting that an issue is serious?
Make sure the sky is indeed falling before you suggest that it is.
How does being perceived as negative affect organizational change?
Being perceived as constantly negative impacts your ability to connect with, organize, and empower key allies.
What should you reflect upon when bringing up an issue?
Reflect on the actual importance of the issue, the timing, and how you will be perceived by others.
What is a critical aspect of being an effective change agent?
Being a reflective practitioner aware of how you are perceived is critical.
What should you do when an issue is important enough to take action?
Follow the official lines of authority, starting with your supervisor.
What happens if you skip talking to your supervisor?
Skipping the supervisor may annoy or anger them, harming the worker/supervisor relationship.
Why is it important to cultivate relationships with respected individuals in the organization?
Cultivating relationships with respected individuals can facilitate the resolution of workplace problems.
Who might be an informal leader in an organization?
An informal leader may be a member of the support staff who knows how to get things done.
What is important when dealing with all agency staff?
Treating all agency staff with dignity and respect is important for obtaining influence.
What types of difficult colleagues might you encounter in the workplace?
Difficult colleagues may include clock watchers, constant complainers, gossipers, and antagonists.
What is the ethical responsibility of social workers towards their colleagues?
Social workers have an ethical responsibility to treat all colleagues well and value their strengths.
What does the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics stipulate regarding colleagues?
The Code of Ethics mandates that social workers should not engage in unwarranted negative criticism of colleagues.
What constitutes unwarranted negative criticism?
Unwarranted negative criticism includes demeaning comments about a colleague’s competence or attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, and more.
How can a pleasant work environment be fostered among employees?
A pleasant environment can be fostered through individual and collective efforts, avoiding gossip, and promoting positive dialogue.
What is the difference between gossip and professional banter?
Gossip pertains to personal matters and pits employees against each other, while professional banter relates to work and is not mean-spirited.
What are the consequences of engaging in people bashing?
Engaging in people bashing may cause others to view you as unprofessional and untrustworthy.
What is essential for good social work practice?
Good social work practice requires careful assessments of clients and organizations, recognizing when problems stem from external sources or internal issues.
What should social workers understand about their own contributions to problems?
Social workers must have good boundaries and understand what they can and cannot control in their environment.
What wisdom should social workers remember when confronting agency problems?
Social workers should remember the wisdom of twelve-step self-help programs when addressing agency issues.
What should you strive for when facing problems?
You should strive for the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
How can the informal environment of an organization help?
It can be a factor in resolving small problems before they become systemic, especially in day-to-day annoyances that affect morale.