Care and growth as core principles for social work leadership underpinned by a feminist anti-colonial ethos

Abstract In this article a theoretical framework for understanding leadership based on the work of Schuitema (2011) is provided, which aligns with two core concepts in social work – namely care and growth (C&G). The C&G model of leadership purports the importance of ‘Care’ AND ‘Growth’ as core values for benevolent leadership. Both the concepts of Care and Growth (which is akin to empowerment) are central to social work practice, and thus this leadership approach aligns with the ethos of social work. In this paper, I will draw on both my formal and informal leadership opportunities to explore the ways in which care and growth/empowerment underpinned by a feminist anti-coloniality influenced my leadership. Care is a central concept in feminist theory, and as a feminist anti-colonial social worker I will interrogate notions of care in relation to how they manifest and are relevant to my leadership practice. Whilst care is an important part of leadership, care without growth may be disempowering and reinforcing the status quo, hence enabling growth is critical. Empowerment, or growth, as it is named in the model, is critical to enable a new generation of leaders, and thus, one without the other is questionable. This paper will reflect on the relationship between the two concepts and the infusion of feminist anti-coloniality as critical to challenging hierarchical power relationships embedded in bureaucracies.