Some thoughts on the importance of leadership

 You may ask, what is a social worker, primarily interest in supporting behavioural change, doing, talking about leadership? It's a good question to ask and if it is OK with you, I will do my best to share some thoughts on why this is just important, it is a fundamental element of building a healthy life; physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

Life in the 21st century western world is complex. It is interconnected and there are few simple answers. We go to work, we raise families, we seek peace, we seek to build a future in uncertain times. We struggle with distractions and time demands. Even as I type this, two of our three cats are demanding attention, and I am only too happy to give it to them.

The leadership in our work lives flows over to our personal lives. The leadership that we hold in our personal lives flows into our families. The leadership in our families flows into our community, and so it goes.

So I ask you, what leadership do you exercise over your own life? Are you conscious on your values and beliefs, and if so, how do you make those values and beliefs play out in your everyday life? What leadership do you recognise in your work and your community? How do you deal with it - that's both good and bad? For example, is poor leadership at work affecting your mental health? Where your raised with good or poor leadership at home and how have you processed that today? Myself, I can honestly state that I was raised with strong collaborative and cooperative parenting and for a time, I did not process that, and fell below those standards role-modelled to me, regrettably. Today, I regularly consider the lessons show to me, reflect upon them and consider how I can apply these in my daily life.

There are any number of leadership "models". There are many books written about leadership styles. I do recommend accessing this knowledge and wisdom and applying some serious thought over this. For example, the model of four leadership styles; Authoritarian, Democratic, Transformational and Laissez-faire is still often quoted today as the "gold standard" of describing leadership. However this model dates back to 1939 by the work of Kurt Lewin and his colleagues and their study of students. It was also undertaken during a time of preparing for war, as World War II was beginning. Applying this model, without critical reflection of the study, the context and the knowledge and wisdom gathered since then, strikes me as limiting.

Early in 2025, my partner and I attended, with a good friend, a public lecture by Gabor Mate, who was sked about leadership. His answer did grab my attention. Gabor stated that he believed that at the top level, there are only two styles of leadership. Authoritative and Authoritarian. Authoritative is a style of leadership whereby your values and beliefs, your mastery of your role, your care and compassion for others, is so powerful that others willingly recognise your authority. Authoritarian is a style where you must 'stamp' your authority, demand respect ( as opposed to earn it ) and so on.

Whilst I am drawn to the simplicity of this, again, critical reflection is so important. A reader may think therefore, without thought, that leadership can be described on a continuum. I see it as a whole mixed bag of actions, behaviours, patterns of behaviour, values and beliefs. I ask you to consider where you sit with the following contracting words and statements.

Inspires <=> Coerces.

Leads <=> Demands.

Transparent  <=> Obscure.

Self-reflective  <=> Delusional.

Shares credit <=> Takes credit.

Acknowledges everyone <=> Plays favourites.

Holistic in approach <=> Siloed focus.

Listens to understand <=> Listens to respond.

Collaborative <=> Autocratic.

Open to challenge in any forum <=> Seeks to be challenged only in private.

Accepts correction <=> Seeks retribution.

I guess I could add to this list and certainly, if you want me to do so, please add to the comments.

In summary, I ask, how are you living your life, exercising leadership mover yourself, and how does that affect your family and community?

Welcome to the Groovy Cat Garage

Hello and welcome to the Groovy Cat Garage.

This is the online home of my social work private practice, which is an entirely remote, after hours project for now. Some time in the future the scope of work may increase.

What services does the Groovy Cat Garage offer?

Essentially the Groovy Cat Garage is being developed to help address some gaps in services that currently exist in areas that I hold interest. These areas include delivery of parenting programs and support, support for people who have committed domestic violence and are seeking change and people who have experienced domestic violence and are seeking longer term support in their recovery journey. More specifically, the services planned include:

• Remote, after hours delivery of the "Circle Of Security - Parenting" program.
• Remote after hours delivery of individual mentoring for people who have completed a Behavioural Change Program recognised and approved by their respective State Government funding body. For many, the program is a start, but not the finish of a journey. Continued reflection and consideration of challenges through other lenses can help contribute to a clearer understanding and a stronger commitment to be safe and for others to be safe around you.
• Remote, after hours delivery of curated support groups for people who have experienced domestic and family violence and are on the road, not just to recovery but overcoming the tail of that violence. Preferably members of these group will also be tied in with a State Government funded Domestic and Family Violence agency and have completed an initial round of either DV awareness education or focussed counselling.
• Delivery, either both or remote, of curated workshops for support services and community institutions who wish to be better informed on the abuse of power and control, especially within their own spheres of influence. 
• Sharing of resources with others in similar areas of social work. All handouts supplied by the Groovy Cat Garage are free to be used, but I do ask that they not be altered.
• Event management of motorcycle events under the Horizons Unlimited banner, with net proceeds going to the "Happy Paws Happy Heart Foundation". Happy Paws Happy Hearts delivers animal assisted therapy to a range of clients and I recommend them to you. 
• Group drumming for social and emotional learning and team building. I'm not a great drummer, I just know how to use percussion as a tool of discussion, connection and community.

What services does the Groovy Cat Garage not offer?

It's important to note that whilst I am an accredited Social Worker with the Australian Associated of Social Workers, I am not an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. I am not offering individual counselling services normally aligned with a clinical diagnosis such as a personality disorder. If you are looking for support for this, I recommend seeking an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, counsellor or psychologist.

groovycatgarage@gmail.com