Today’s health and human services agencies recognize the importance of leadership development, yet too often don’t know which direction to take, or get wrapped up in trying to follow the latest leadership fads. Instead, agencies should eschew trendy approaches and focus on solid strategies and principles that embody timeless messages, including distributing leadership, focusing on strengths and developing a learning culture.
Distributive leadership means developing leadership at every organizational level to acknowledge the contribution made by all staff — as the frontline staff of today will lead agencies tomorrow. According to Charmaine Brittain from the Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver, “Leadership development has shifted from an executive-level focus to recognizing the importance of leadership development for all agency levels, which then provides the impetus to shift organizational culture.”
Constant learning
An appreciation and focus on strengths is embodied in a distributive leadership approach and that, in turn, leads to a learning culture. Tracy Wareing Evans, President & CEO of the American Public Human Services Association states that, “Too often in our institutional thinking we want to believe that every organization is a learning organization, but in order to make that happen, we need to constantly be thinking about how staff learn and develop at all levels.” Leadership development is not “a course that you take once and are done.” Instead, “a learning culture requires a constant appreciation for differences, and should be a place where mistakes can be made safely and learning is encouraged,” adds Brittain. This thinking is in alignment with the reality of today’s workforce as it becomes more and more populated by the millennial generation.
According to the Pew Research Center, the millennial generation continues to assert their power in the workforce with over 56 million people, compared to 53 million from Generation X and 41 million Baby Boomers. Motivating this generation requires a different approach, including an emphasis on offering meaningful work, work-life balance, career development, effective preparation and a tech-savvy environment.
A new approach
Health and human service agencies must engage this generation differently and shift their expectations. Wareing Evans says, “We want them committed to the field, not to just one job.” Agencies that focus on distributive leadership and a learning culture will resonate with the millennial generation.
Health and human service agencies need to prioritize leadership development so that they can fulfill their missions serving vulnerable families and communities across the nation. As Wareing Evans states, “Leadership in the human services can be the cornerstone for how we can achieve thriving communities.”
