A Note From Our Director
This past Saturday I was fortunate enough to be given the Career Achievement Award by
ACOSA (The Association for Community Organization and Social Administration). It is a big honor and I was naturally very tempted to be pleased with myself! - Or me, myself and I.
But as I started thinking about a few remarks for the occasion, I realized more and more than one's success depends heavily, if not mainly, on the cooperative support of others, and a dose of good luck and timing (and sometimes, as in an ill-timed bauble in football, bad luck or even enemies.) I began to consciously recognize the hundreds of people - my family, colleagues, staff here and elsewhere, masters and doctoral students, who have worked with me and taught me even as I was "professing." I realized that my "solo" performance was really an orchestral one.
And I feel profoundly grateful for them and appreciative of them.
In this column I want to introduce three essential cognitions for all executive leaders:
- Egotism/and self-over-crediting,
- Necessity of collaborative endeavors for impact
- Gratitude and positivity
I will touch on the first two and save thoughts on gratitude for a column close to Thanksgiving.
Egoism and Self-Crediting
The Importance of Cooperation and Team
America is a land of individualists - actually "rugged individualists." We celebrate "mountain men" not "wagon trains". This individualistic orientation may be an important source of egocentric bias. The quality guru W. Edwards Deming, took the theoretical position thatat least 75% of the output of all organizations is produced collectively rather than individually. Individuals contribute of course, but it is the system of interconnection that cause excellence or lack of it. He calls that interconnection "common causes of variation" - noting the need for improving and reducing such causes. Unique causes of variation (positive and negative) do have a place, but they are a much less important place than our culture thinks. For Deming, individuals deliver the organizations products, they do not cause or create them very much.
Deming taught the Japanese how to make cars based upon this theoretical approach. They listened; we did not. The result is history. But in fairness, Japanese culture is more group centered than ours, so Deming's approach was more harmonious there than here. Even Japanese rice and American rice illustrates this difference. Japanese rice is "sticky" and sticks together. Our rice is individually kernel-istic, each grain fighting for a place of dominance in the bowl.
The fact that we are not as culturally aware of the importance of the "many hands make impactful work" principle does not lessen its importance. Successful executive leaders recognize it. Most don't.
My proof that CEOs are hugely guilty of this over-crediting can be seen by just looking at compensation, especially compared to the least paid in the organization.
The best executives control their Egocentric Bias, see themselves as part of a team, and act accordingly. They are also positive and grateful. But more on that later.
Finally, on another note, there has been quite a bit of discussion of "disruption theory" promulgated by Clayton Christensen of Harvard Business School. Below are two articles on this theory and implications in practice:
Director, Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations
Professor of Social Work
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Leadership Careers in Focus
New Opportunities for Consultancy and Capacity Building
Many nonprofits valiantly impact communities with limited means and heightened challenges. Demonstrate your expertise through team consultancy and capacity building opportunities with area nonprofits.
Available Now!
Are you interested in politics? Data? Democracy?
In this hot election year, we've invited him to test the southeast Michigan market, and we'd like to organize a team of students to help him do that. This project is robust and multi-faceted, so please let us know where you have related skills and interest:
1) Developing the website
2) Campaign
3) Publish
Seize this opportunity and position yourself for your leadership career!
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Have you ever noticed yourself noodling over a solution to an organizational problem? Has your leadership mind identified opportunities that swamped do-gooders don't see? Could you advise organizational leaders in mission drift rectification or mission impact?
Rather than becoming frustrated with organizational misste
ps or shortsightedness, offer to help. Contribute your expert voice to one of the thousands of organizations that aim to benefit community every day.
- Visit high functioning board meetings where industry leaders like the president of Northern Trust Bank and sector leaders like the president of Common Ground serve.
- Train with scholars and leaders in board governance and best practices.
- Volunteer on board committees to contribute and to prove your "value add."
- Serve as a trustee.
While you're at it, network with professionals whose organizational needs just might match your career aspirations. Your elevator pitch will come in handy.
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Leadership Program and Career Services Events
Workshops
Leadership and Corporate Relations Workshop and Panel
Tuesday, October 27, 12:30 - 2 PM, B770
Curious about how your MSW skills can translate into the corporate sector?
Want to hear from local companies about their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies?
In partnership with the United Way of Washtenaw County, come hear about what corporate relations is, skills MSWs can utilize when navigating for-profit companies, and hear from a panel of local companies on their CSR platforms. Lunch will be served
Child and Adolescent Data Lab Lunch Series: Git and GitHub-II
Go beyond the basics to understand how to use
GitHub for effective collaboration and quality control.
This lunch series is open to all students, faculty, and researchers who are interested in learning about data science tools and how they can be applied to a wide variety of research areas. These are introductory sessions. Participants should have some familiarity with or interest in learning
R
and R-related tools.
Lunch provided for free by the Data Lab.
Career Services Alumni Lunch Series
Preparing Your Professional Launch
Wednesday, December 2, 5-6 PM; SSWB 3752
Whether you are preparing to graduate or planning ahead, join Janice Williams Miller as she discusses launching your career as a social work leader.
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In social w
o
rk, w
e aim to create lives for our clients (individuals, groups, communities, and organizations) tha
t a
re more socially just and advance the livelihood of society's most vulnerable populations. Knowing that we made a difference in the world is what we aim to achieve at the end of our workday. Seeing the effects of our work is what brings us joy
.
For many social workers, however, walking through the door of the office for another day of bureaucracy, paperwork, ineffective supervisors, stagnant leadership, and the fear of being asked to fit
just one more thing
into an already booked schedule is the reality. Ultimately, though, who pays for the effects of this environment? Our clients and the services they receive. Even the most seasoned social workers can't hide the stressful effects of an unfulfilling & unorganized agency.
Now, imagine going to work (or field placement) and working directly with a highly skilled and trusted partner on every task. Imagine that you changed partners every week and you worked with a different highly skilled, trusted worker so that the highest quality of services are delivered to your clients. Imagine not feeling fear, and actually being encouraged, to tell your supervisor that you and your partner will not be able to finish a project at the projected deadline. Imagine your supervisor meeting you with a smile after being told this news because now they can relay more accurate information to the program's head. Imagine being encouraged to bring your young child (or dog!) to the office when you need to. Imagine looking at a display on the wall that tells you exactly, and more importantly, realistically the work that you and your partner are to accomplish for that day and week. Imagine looking at that display and seeing just what every other pair of workers is doing that week so accountability & communication was perfectly clear. Imagine if the goal of your agency was "creating JOY in the lives of its clients & workers."
On Friday October 2
nd
, 2015, I attended a Young Leaders Society "Breakfast with a CEO" with Rich Sheridan, founder and CEO of Menlo Innovations. After briefly networking with young professionals throughout the community, we had an opportunity to informally interview Rich Sheridan, whose Ann Arbor based software company's mission is to create a joyful environment for employees in order to develop joyful end-products for their clients. After winning the business card drawing for a signed copy of his new book entitled
Joy Inc.
, I couldn't put it down when I got home.
Sheridan outlines how he and his company's co-founders grew unsatisfied with the traditional software company model after working in them for decades. Their passion for their work was all but gone; then Sheridan seized the opportunity to create a company founded on "joy."
I am now looking to bring joy into my current and future workplace cultures, all from merely attending a $10 event. Here are two things I have learned from this:
1) Put yourself out there and attend events because you will never know what impact these will have on your life.
2) Get business cards. You can win books!
As I am in the Management of Human Services concentration, I am now more inspired than ever to create a joyful culture at my field placement agency and future place of employment so that those who rely on our work will then feel joy from working with our agency.
--- Nick Ochal, MSW Student
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Three Imperatives of Leading and Managing
Interested in furthering your understanding and skill sets around philanthropy?
Philanthropy University is a free, first-of-its kind educational initiative for change makers in the social sector. Courses include:
- Leadership: Ten Rules for Impact and Meaning
- How to Scale Social Impact
- Essentials of Nonprofit Strategy
- Fundraising: How to Connect with Donors
- Financial Modeling for the Social Sector
- Organizational Capacity: Assessment to Action
- Global Social Entrepreneurship
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Legislative, Education, and Advocacy Day (LEAD)
Help social workers and NASW-Michigan become an influential voice in the Michigan political arena!
Social workers have a responsibility to advocate for themselves, their agencies, and their clients;
LEAD will enhance your skills and provide you with amazing networking opportunities.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at NASW-Michigan's role in Michigan's political process. Learn how you can become a key adviser to the legislators and an effective advocate for the social work profession and the State's most vulnerable citizens.
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Regional Director of Psycho-Social Services
Institute for Family Health
Victoria Ward, the Network for Social Work Management's "Monday Morning
Manager,"
discusses what leadership qualities she feels are important for success.
"The qualities that have served me well as a leader are strong problem-solving skills, conviction, and levelheadedness. My advice would be to foster professional relationships early and often, as these relationships not only make the work more pleasurable, but are truly essential to your growth and development in the field."
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Apply for the Presidential Management Fellowship
The Presidential Management Fellowship Program (PMF) is designed to attract outstanding graduate students to federal served from a variety of academic disciplines and career  paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to,
excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.
This opportunity offers LOAN REPAYMENT for macro students!
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Nonprofit-Corporate Partnerships: A New Framework
Published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Tynesia Boyea-Robinson discusses her impressions on how nonprofit and corporate partnerships could enhance collective impact.
How?
"Another challenge is how to speak to businesses so that they respond. Here are five principles for engaging businesses:
1. Speak as a partner, not a supplicant
2. Offer legitimate solutions to tough business challenges such as value propositions
3. Focus on how you will address their needs first
4. Know their numbers
5. Know the industry, the business, and your own assets."
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Professional Memberships & Networks
Network for Social Work Management 
Membership rate: FREE Member-only benefits:
- Networking opportunities
- International Mentorship Program
- Attend National Conference in 2016, TBA
- Human Services Management Competencies
- Interactive Webinar Series
- Communications
Independent Sector 
Membership rate: $10/year Member-only benefits:
- Networking opportunities
- Independent Sector Affinity Program
- Attend National Leadership Conference, Embark
- Access to NextGeneration (NGen) online community on LinkedIn
- Public Policy Benefits
- Communications
Young Leaders Society - United Way of Washtenaw County Join Here Membership rate: FREE
*Other local chapters available*
Member-only benefits:
- Volunteer & fundraising opportunities
- Networking & leadership events
- Monthly activities- including service projects, social gatherings, professional development meetings
- Community updates & news
Young Nonprofit Professionals of Washtenaw County VIew their Facebook Page  *Other local chapters available here* Membership rate: FREE Member-only benefits:
- Connect with other young local leaders
- Share resources & information
- Nationally recognized
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FREE Business Cards!
Nothing says official more than presenting your very own business cards when networking or interviewing. Leave a lasting impression and contact information for that next great opportunity.
*Additional cards are $13/100 through the School of Social Work Student Union!
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Additional Leadership Events
Innovation in Action
Do you want to go beyond the classroom to make impact? Join the U-M School of Public Health's University-wide competition
Innovation in Action
to create new solutions to real-world Public Health and Education challenges!
Interprofessional Student Town Hall
Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 - 8 PM
Munger Graduate Residence Hall
The new
Michigan Center for Interprofessional Education
, the
Interprofessional Health Student Organization and the
Institute for Healthcare Improvement - Open School
invite you to join us for the first ever U-M
Interprofessional Student Town Hall
.
Together we are working to increase opportunities for health students to learn
with
and
from
each other, across traditional disciplinary boundaries, toward a future of collaborative health practice. Join faculty, staff and students from dentistry, kinesiology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy (UM-Flint), public health and social work for this special event.
Urban Entrepreneurship Symposium
Fri, Oct. 23, 8:30am - 4:30pm
College for Creative Studies, Detroit
Harness the power of design thinking for social impact!
Symposium attendees
will receive information and tools to assist in creating scalable, profit-making businesses that address important urban community needs.
Register today
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Positive Links Speaker Series: Transforming Relationships for High Performance - The Power of Relational Coordination
Monday, Nov. 16, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
The Colloquium, 6th Floor, Ross School of Business
Organizations are fundamentally patterns of interrelating, reinforced by structures and work processes. It's no wonder they are hard to change. In this presentation, Brandeis University Professor Jody Hoffer Gittell will introduce relational coordination as a tool for both research and practice. She will share live case studies illustrating how organizations use relational coordination principles and measures as tools for change, and then conclude with a Relational Model for Organizational Change.
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**Copies of
The Chronicle of Philanthropy are located in the outside mailbox on John's door (3734).
**If there are articles from other publications that require a membership fee, please let us know and we can access them for you.
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Contact Us
| John Tropman, Director |
SSWB 3734 |
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(734) 763.6275 |
| Rachael Wiener |
SSWB 3751 |
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(734) 764.4903 |
| Janice Williams Miller |
SSWB 3751 |
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(734) 763.9211 |
If you would like to submit items for the Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations' Newsletter (events, op-eds, resources, etc.), please email Rachael.
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