Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Social Work

Faculty/School

Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work

First Advisor

Dr. Cheryl-Anne Cait

Advisor Role

Advisor, Faculty Member

Second Advisor

Dr. Ginette Lafreniere

Advisor Role

Faculty Member

Third Advisor

Dr. Lamine Diallo

Advisor Role

External Member

Abstract

Few schools of social work provide formal leadership education and training for emerging social workers—the research topic under exploration was how social work leaders constructed their leadership style. The purpose of the study was to develop a model of social work leadership through understanding leaders’ journeys into leadership and the contextual factors that shaped their leadership. Participants shared the qualities they believed were paramount for leading today and into the future. Seeing schools of social work as leadership incubators for emerging social workers, participants shared their suggestions for scaffolded leadership curriculum. The methodological approach for this research study was constructivist grounded theory, a qualitative research methodology that can be employed to discover a new theory. Social work leaders who graduated with their MSW between 1969 - 2021 with at least 1 year of leadership experience were the general population of this research study. The sample included sixteen social work leaders from Canada. The findings revealed a theoretical framework grounded in social work values and identity, influenced by experiential and contextual learning, and yielding a developmental arc of leadership emergence. Factors such as timing and readiness were crucial variables in leadership development. This theory positions social work leadership as a constructive and reflective practice. Further, a model of social work leadership was constructed that was grounded in the profession’s values and enacted through distinct characteristics: collaborative, empowering and power-sharing, solidarity and service, self-awareness, humility, leading with the head and the heart, embodying the principles, and flexibility and adaptability. Practical implications of this study provide a theory and model of social work leadership, as well as curriculum suggestions to schools of social work.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Spring

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