Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Página 161

Special Editions
Being results focused involves having strong analytical and problem solving
skills while social skills combine attributes like communication and empathy.
Socially skilled leaders are able to diagnose and address interpersonal
problems both at the workplace and in working across structures and
systems. A good leader would keep working on strengthening both of
these. To be both results focused and socially skilled requires a constant
balancing effort.

Raising productivity
As part of being results focused, leaders can play a role in raising productivity
and especially so in the social sector as it is highly reliant on manpower. So
let’s explore some possible productivity efforts that do not require innovation
or big bang strategies. Leaders should start to lead changes in areas where
unnecessary efforts can be reduced.
1. The first area of change is the shift to the application of research
findings and learning rather than having multiple small scale attempts
at research. It is encouraging to see the content and curriculum of more
and more programmes, services and efforts drawing from research that
show what works in helping to bring about positive change. Giving more
attention to the conscious translating of learning when working with
clients and families will mean more purposeful work. In the same vein,
research should inform us about moving our efforts out of work which do
not make a difference no matter how good those efforts may make us
feel.
2. The second area of change is that of balancing resource deployment
in integration. The ideal state of integration for all services is expensive
and unsustainable. Coordination and integration needs to be focused
on areas that present a lot of complexities and where access cannot be
overcome by access to good and timely information. This is a targeted
approach. With systems, IT infrastructure and the sharing of information
and data being made more adaptive for service delivery, agencies play
an important role in helping those who need help. One way to achieve
access to services must therefore be for individuals and agencies who
are able to navigate the system, to do so by themselves. Oftentimes,
the discussion may not be about integration but about managing
expectations by giving applicants and potential users a sense of the time
required for the whole process.

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