Dear Social Worker,

Whether you’re an intern, just started your job or have been practicing for decades, this is for you.

I’ve been very lucky to work with the very best of social work practitioners and educators in Kenya, including consultants, directors, researchers and supervising social work students and I have observed that constant improvement is a common thread to everyone that we admire.

That has made me a firm believer in and advocate for continuous learning as a social worker.

We don’t arrive at being great social workers. We either grow into it or stagnate.

Maybe your work lacks impact. Or you’ve failed severally,

Don’t give up! With help, your work still has the potential to impact many lives.

You can become great -just not overnight and you should suspect anyone who says it can be quick.

I just counted my 5 years in this field and it seems like it’s only now that the social work is taking me serious and some people finally appreciate what I could do, so again, no quick fixes-they don’t work, at least not for long

But here are some of the things that do work:

1. Don’t aim to be the best.

That’s the last thing you think about when I starting your work. To have any chance at success, your work must come from your passions, the overflow of what you really care about.

You will have no control over the field, opportunities, resources, and all the rest. All you can control is how much of yourself you’re willing to invest in a project.

What’s your passion? What drives you?

Focus your efforts on that.

Your passion will keep you at work and motivate you when it gets tough—and if you’re doing it right, it always does.

2. Always think client-first.

Write: Think Client-First on a sticky note and place it where you can see it while you’re working.

Your sole job is to be so effective that your client gets wowed by the impact you live in their life.

I know two social workers who became social workers because they experienced and observed Dr. Karani work before he became a lecturer.

Treat your clients the way you want to be treated and offer services and programs that you would want to engage with.

That’s the Golden Rule of Social Work.

Always put your client first.

3. Avoid sideshows.

That’s a term I use for any work that we do that is simply a power game or trying to prove a point.

Cut the power games, the unnecessary theories, the philosophizing, and get on with the work.

Focus on the main goals- You can always layer the rest into the action.

4. Show, don’t tell.

Don’t just tell me how things could be done; show me how you engage with issues and work that is important to you.

5. Share your work

If you don’t say it, we won’t know it.

6. Introduce yourself early on by name.

The biggest social workers make is not identifying themselves as social workers.

As a rule, it should be the first thing you do.
And it is very exciting to have had confirmation from the director, Mr. Sanganyi and Dr. Wanja as well as to see how Sharon Kibogy, Kelvin The Social Worker and other “new” social workers are owning their identity

7. Trigger your imagination

Ever wonder why social work is so limited with opportunities?

Engage your imagination, use your experiences, make the most of your challenges……

If something has never been done you can always be the first

8. Cut your work to the bone.

Unless observing the ethical code of conduct and other legal procedures, engage your clients in a way that works for them.
#localize your work

9. Omit needless moves.

Less is more..

10. Choose normal roles over fancy titles.

Showing off your titles or abilities to do great will draw attention to you rather than the work itself and this is a burden you have to be willing to bear if you so wish.

Let your work/impact speak for itself

11. Be current and relevant over reminiscing of the past achievements or failures.

Being current and present adds clarity.

Ubuntu

Promoting A New Eco Social World That Leaves No One Behind

To be continued……

Social Worker Mike.