To explore leadership, I interviewed my supervisor, Ally, about her leadership style and advice for young leaders. I then compared her techniques and advice to readings in class. 

This reflection integrates the interview with my supervisor, my personal leadership style, and readings in class. 

Leadership Reflection

When I applied for the Social Justice Internship, I was looking to get involved in the community, specifically with people I had not interacted with before. I wanted to develop my understanding of social justice, and learn from the community while contributing what I could. One year later, I have formed professional and friendly relationships with residents, interns, and staff at Misericordia. Through class sessions, retreats, and conversations, I have expanded my understanding of social justice, and am able to implement my beliefs at Misericordia and in my daily life. Because I am an active learner, having conversations about social justice serves as a basis for my behavior and words. Classroom discussions about social justice guide and focus my daily life, and motivate me at Misericordia. While adults with disabilities are often an ignored part of society, in Personal Effectiveness Program (PEP), each resident is given the attention and respect they deserve. My work at PEP is motivated by social justice conversations, but has become most effective as a result of observing residents and staff in PEP.

One staff member at PEP has been especially influential; Ally Drake, Director of Behavior Services. I began this internship nervously – not only was this my first internship, but I also had very little experience with adults with disabilities. Luckily, Ally understood these nerves and inexperience, and decided that I would strictly observe the classroom and kitchen activities in PEP. Watching the instructors interact with residents in individual, group, informal and formal settings, not only guided my interactions with residents, but also showed me where PEP needed development. For awhile, all the instructors and staff were “Modeling the Way” by demonstrating the appropriate and effective ways to facilitate PEP.

At lunch one day, the kitchen became a little hectic, with residents and staff becoming disorganized. Trying to help, I decided to pass out salad to the residents, then left for my lunch break. When I returned, Ally called me into her office to talk. Blind as to what I had done, I confidently approached. After sitting me down, Ally calmly explained the situation. Each resident has a specialized lunch plan, with allergies, proportions and bite sizes assigned for each resident. A resident I had given salad to requires small bites, and had been at risk of choking. I immediately apologized, and Ally simply moved on, explaining lunch procedures and rules. Although the risky situation turned out fine, Ally had chosen to calmly educate and encourage, instead of reprimanding. I admire Ally for her response to my mistake, and as Caldwell states, I was able to move forward in my learning, with our relationship intact.

From there, I began creating learning aids while studying resident’s cases to understand their abilities and goals, and Ally and instructors began assigning me more and larger projects. Now, I work alongside the graduate -level interns on individualized books for each resident, and I feel the instructor’s trust in my ability and hard work.

Working with the other interns has shown to be a great source of support. I began my first internship the same day they all began their last level internship, yet we all had to figure out the dynamics of PEP together. Talking together at lunch provided valuable moments of reflection and sharing of crucial information. Their friendship and support has offered moments of relaxation on busy days, opportunities to learn about their work, and helpful moments of advice from one student to another. Having other interns, especially ones that are older and more experienced and more knowledgeable, builds a supportive team in times of stress. When work and stress accumulates, the grad interns have provided close leadership and support. Their advice and support definitely “encourage the heart”.

This semester, the grad interns have been noticeably helpful, often asking how I am doing and if they could help. My workload has increased drastically second semester- not only in my expanded role at PEP, but in school work and hours at my part-time job. Although I spend every moment at PEP working on projects and interacting with residents, the time quickly slips away. Due to other commitments, I fail to give outside time to PEP like I want to, and I have tried to compensate my coming into PEP earlier. At the beginning of the semester, I arrived at 9 am, then I arrived at 8:30 to get a head start before residents arrived. Currently, I arrive at 8:00 am. I see Ally and others giving extra hours to PEP, and I hope to “Model the Way” of giving extra effort the way they do.

            In the field of social work, a common approach to work with clients is the strengths-based perspective. I have found this perspective to work in all interactions, not only with clients. In PEP, we celebrate resident’s accomplishments every day and constantly cheer them on. Ally states that she uses this attitude with her coworkers and team she supervises as well. If she sees a staff member struggling in PEP, she says, she looks at “what they bring to the table”, and where they can go from there. Because the PEP staff is a team, every member’s talents and strengths are important. I have adopted this attitude in work with residents, interns, even group members in class projects. When I focus on other’s strengths, I find myself more eager to work with them, while simultaneously empowering the other person to push the best of their abilities.

             Finally, emphasizing other’s strengths contributes to a more loving environment and relationship, where the leader and coworker, client, or interns are able to give their best to the other and the community. I strive to create these empowering relationships where individuals, the surrounding community, and greater society benefit and are changed for the betterment of all.