STRENGTHS BASED PRACTICE IN SOCIAL WORK AND THE HUMAN SERVICE International Conference 22-24 November 2012 Dhulikel

Lodge Resort, Kathmandu, Nepal

Creativity: A Social Workers Professional Strength
Nicolas, Justin F.L.V., University of the Philippines Background Creativity in social work, social services and social development, particularly in the Philippine setting, has not yet been fully explored. The absence of earlier studies in the Philippines makes it difficult to define, operationalise and measure creativity among social work practitioners. In order to come up with a creativity climate instrument more appropriate for social workers in the Philippine setting, an inquiry must first be conducted on how social workers view creativity. The aim therefore of this study is to pave the way for the initial conceptualization of creativity among social workers. Levels of Analysis in Creativity The Meanings of Creativity The meanings of creativity among social workers show that creativity is multidimensional and may pertain to the creation or the person who created it, the product, or the process of creation. The meanings that social workers give to creativity may be categorized as personal and work-related meanings and analyzed at the individual and organizational level. The following areas of creativity are considered as strengths: Work-related Strengths - Areas of practice viewed as creative by the social workers include research, policy formulation and program development and specific components such as pilot testing, training design and manual writing; and program implementation. Work related meanings of creativity point to a continuum of individual competence and excellence; maximizing resources; being able to work even with an empty hand; an ability to offer a win-win solution to a problem; pushing the work to the end, creating a giant to fight giant issues through advocacy; being able to respond to multidimensional concerns; to do something beyond the task given you; the ability to find the right strategies; being able to make complicated things simple; being client centered, and initiating change or the need to be innovating always. Personal Strengths Creativity is also a phenomenon observed in the personal realm of the social worker such as a being a secret weapon in finding a solution in times of need; an instrument for personal development and self-expression; creativity is needed for survival, for parenting, relating with others; a balance of heart and mind; the willingness to take risks and to be something different; and discovering life; The social workers also identified FiIipino concepts of creativity as shown below:
Person Maabilidad (skilled, Jack of all trades), maparaan/ Madiskarte (able to make a way); Palaisip (reflective), mapagtanong (asks questions), mahusay (excellent); Mas mahusay sa pinagmulan (better than the original); Mabusisi (detailed);Kapaki-pakinabang(beneficial), Katanggap-tanggap (acceptable);Tumutugon sa pangangailangan(responsive); bebenta na click (idea will sell) Paglalapat ng bago at luma (a fusion or blend of the old and new); pinapaganda (making things better)

Meanings of Creativity
Personal Meanings Survival; Parenting Freedom; being different; Creative Expression; Willingness to take risks Ability Freedom Opportunity Reward Unique and different Secret Weapon Work Related Meanings Competence Client-Centered Multidimensional Tasks Keen on details

Individual

Level

Organizational

Level

Excellence Teamwork Resources Initiating Change Creating a giant Win-win solution

A possible typology of meanings of creativity* Conclusion The process of looking into the participants stories suggests an initial typology through which the meanings of creativity among Filipino social workers may be understood. The typology covers relationships in the workplace and relationships that are purely personal. The meanings in this study show the inter-subjectivity of the creative experience; meanings of creativity are influenced by the interaction of self with the family, peers, and the workplace. It is in this manner that the phenomenon of being creative and how they are considered as strengths can also be viewed from the different levels shown in the typology. Creativity as a lived experience may also be viewed as necessary for survival, for developing relationships, for cultural competence, and for excellence in the workplace and in the profession.
References
Gelfand, B. (1982). Creative Imagination: The Forgotten Ingredient is Social Work Practice by Social Casework 1982, v. 63, no. 8, pp. 499-503 in Families in Society: Practice and Policy Focus. Published by the Alliance for Children and Families. Issue No. 4, 2007. Retrieved from www.familiesinsociety.org Lymbery, M. E. F. (2003). Negotiating the Contradictions between Competence and Creativity in Social Work Education. Journal of Social Work, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 99-117. Abstract Retrieved from http://jsw.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/3/1/99 Ringel, S. (2004). The Reflective Self: A Path to Creativity and Intuitive Knowledge in Social Work Practice Education. Journal of Teaching Social Work, Volume 23, Numbers 3-4, 4, pp. 15-28. (14) Haworth Press. Serrat, O. (2009), Harnessing Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace, Knowledge Solutions, No. 61, Asian Development Bank.

Product

Process

Based on Nicolas, J.F.L. V. (2012). The Meaning of Creativity Among Filipino Social Workers: An Exploratory Study. (Unpublished Master of Social Work Thesis). University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City.

jvnicolas@upd.edu.ph or nicolas_justinvilla@yahoo.com