Developing Human Service Leaders

Human service programs often teach undergraduate students the basics of case management, counseling, human development, and interpersonal skills, but neglect to help students understand the fundamentals of management and leadership. Many of these human service professionals will end up in management or supervisory positions within their agencies and have little exposure to leadership principles. While students take one course on administration, the content often focuses on budgeting and managing employees but lacks critical content on leadership. Developing Human Service Leaders is unique in its focus on management and leadership and its focus on team building and self reflection. It also covers the basics of running a meeting, team building, motivation, vision, mission and strategic planning, but has additional chapters on self-management, including presentation skills, leadership, and community collaboration. Deborah Harley-McClaskey begins with by introducing the concepts of leadership and organizational management in the human services profession. She then goes into team building and general management concerns. Two chapters focus on goals, execution and project management and finally the last few chapters focus on self-management and leadership.