ABSTRACT
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Looking back and reflecting on team leaders and the teams I have been part of as a social worker brings back more positive experiences of communication and relationships than poor ones. Perhaps I have been very lucky. Although, looking back, I am very aware of choosing jobs on the basis of who the team manager was, knowing that in a stressful job such as the probation service or child and family social work, the way the team works together or not makes such a difference to individual workers. The job is stressful anyway so that knowing you can rely on a ‘chat’ or longer discussion with your colleagues or a supervisor who will listen and offer helpful advice makes all the difference between coping and not coping. It makes the workplace feel energising and creative rather than anxious and oppressive. I have experienced both climates but the learning always came from the people who could inspire by example.
