Social Workers: Three Key “Powers” We Develop

by Stephen P. Cummings, MSW

     Social workers are often called upon to “use our powers.” We hear this plea every so often, typically in times of crisis. Once we’ve intervened, we may be told we are superheroes. I'm not going to argue against this. Why would anyone suggest we are less than super? We even have a line of action figures (Singer, 2017). I’ll confess: these powers are just honed social work skills, and we can all develop them. To the untrained eye, they look miraculous. For social workers, it’s Tuesday.

     Here are my three favorite skills. Disclaimer: I have no evidence these are real super powers. But I’ve seen them happen and that’s good enough for my purposes here.

1. Seeing the Future. Perhaps one of the benefits of the focus on systems is the way social workers begin to see how those systems can continue to grow, transform, and have an impact on lives. We seek to reduce harm and to empower others. Part of this goal requires deep consideration of how variables that seem small can actually have major impact. The “super power” part starts to emerge when we are able to do this with increasing speed. When you complete a biopsychosocial assessment and see the details coming together as you complete your documentation, that’s the vision of the possible future of your client coming into focus.
2. Stealth Ability. Two of the principles of our Code of Ethics are self-determination, and dignity and worth of the person. At the mezzo- to macro-level, we seek to ensure that community members seek their own destinies, removing policies set forth by systemic racism or unchecked inequality. We seek to put in place policies that eliminate racism and inequality. We don’t accomplish this through self-promotion, or by stating that we will be your voice—social workers seek to make sure you have access to your own voice.
3. The Power to Calm. Particularly for seasoned social workers, the power to assure your clients, your patients, and your multidisciplinary team that things are under control cannot be underestimated. I didn’t realize how important this power was until, one day, I deigned to express something less than complete calm. The team didn’t take it well! Caveat: This power can create some confusion. For those who work in the field every day, a social worker's lack of frustration or anger may suggest a lack of caring. Perhaps your friend or colleague just learned about a massive proposed cut to funding services for people in need. Or one of your family members just learned about a state policy that’s going to negatively affect people with disabilities. It’s frustrating. As a social worker, I get it! I’ve been tracking that bill through the state legislature for weeks. I’ve been working on bringing attention to that wealthy special interest group as it builds a relationship with a key state legislator. I’ve been protesting that local ordinance at monthly town hall meetings. I’m angry, but I’m also focused on the change.

     Feel free to join the social work profession. We see the future. It’s not always pretty. Unless we do something about it.

Reference

Singer, J. B. (Producer). (2017, October 24). #112 - Social work superheroes: Interview with John Vassello, MSW [Audio Podcast]. Social Work Podcast. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkpodcast.com/2017/10/superheroes.html

For more information about Binghamton University's Social Justice League figures and their specific super powers, go to bit.ly/SocialJusticeLeague and click on "Social Work Superhero" on the left side of the page.

Stephen Cummings is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa School of Social Work, where he is the administrator for distance education.