Social Work Leadership: From Colleague to Mentor to Friend

by Becky S. Corbett, MSW, ACSW

     This article is dedicated in honor of my mentor and dear friend, Betsy Clark, may her memory forever be a blessing. Whether we were working alongside of each other—Betsy as the visionary for the social work profession and Becky as the individual who facilitated our operations in moving to action—your wisdom, guidance, and humor carried us through.

    Three years ago, Betsy and I wrote Social Work Leadership: 10 Facts on Why You Should Find a Mentor and What to Expect From the Relationship for publication in The New Social Worker. My favorite fact to help social workers and other helping professionals better understand mentors and the mentoring process, and the one that inspired me to write this article, is #8: There is no set time limit for a mentoring relationship. In the best possible outcome, the mentoring relationship eventually transitions into a peer relationship. The relationship continues, but it has been restructured and updated, and it becomes one of professional collegiality.

    I firmly believe it’s all about relationships. Taking the time to create connections allows you to build successful relationships. Intentionally seeking the advice and expertise of a mentor; sustaining your personal, professional, and philanthropic affiliations; and fostering these connections help you grow and develop faster. Living the philosophy “good people connect with good people” allows you to invest in others and enhance your community.

    Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a mentor as a trusted counselor or guide, and Dictionary.com describes a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, and an influential senior sponsor or supporter. Finally, Cambridge Dictionary states a mentor is a person who gives a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time, especially at work or school. Each of these definitions describe Betsy Clark.

5 Lessons Learned From My Colleague, Mentor, and Friend

#1: Use your social work credentials.

    Betsy always called me a systems social worker. From supporting my efforts in taking the ACSW credentialing exam to encouraging me to help others connect the puzzle pieces to inspiring me to create Producktivity®— an interactive personal and professional organizational tool that helps you improve your decision-making and time management skills in a unique, fun, and interactive way—I can still hear her saying, “Be proud of your social work degree, credential, experience, and person-in-environment knowledge. Beck, lead with your strengths-based perspective.”

#2: Failure is not an option.

    When your mentor holds you accountable, your achievements blossom. Betsy didn’t believe in failure. We both admired Wonder Woman, and in fact, Betsy modeled for me to always hold my head up high—personally and professionally—just like Linda Carter. When we didn’t have all of the answers, and even in the face of uncertainty, as long as we were determined to keep working diligently, we would succeed.

#3: Work will exceed the time allotted.

    Becky’s time management advice: There are 24 hours in a day. You cannot change the number of hours, only how you use them. Betsy’s words of wisdom: Work will exceed the time allotted.

    Betsy was a firm believer in deadlines. Period. No questions asked. No forgiveness granted. We met deadlines. Now, when I ask a client for extra time on a deliverable, I can feel Betsy watching over me, shaking her head and reminding me to establish and adhere to deadlines. Seven years ago, on my last day as her Chief Operating Officer at NASW, she walked into my office at 7 o’clock p.m. and unplugged my computer—not allowing me to send any more emails. It was time to move on.

#4: Mentors inspire their mentoring partners.

    Betsy made a commitment to invest in me. I believe mentors give of themselves because they see something in their mentoring partners that they do not see in themselves. John C. Maxwell writes, “Mentoring is who you are as much as what you do” (Maxwell, 2008, p. 11). I think John was writing about Betsy. From the moment we started working together, Betsy respected me and used her influence to inspire me to be the most effective nonprofit administrator I could be. During her personal and professional travels, she selected the perfect knickknack to inspire me to keep moving forward. To this day, I keep these thoughtful, motivating gifts on my desk.

#5: Hope.

    One of Betsy’s last legacies was writing her book, Choose Hope (always choose hope). She taught us, “The power of social work provides numerous narratives of how hope can be a factor at all levels—for personal growth, in the community, and in society.” As she was publishing this book, she simultaneously encouraged me to write my first book. She was instrumental in my becoming an author.

    As mentors do, she invested her time in me and my writing process. Betsy helped me establish writing protocols, she coached and supported me through the writing process, and she held me accountable to agreed upon writing milestones. I am forever grateful for her mentorship. The Bridge to Hope & Healing: 9 principles to guide you in a moment of crisis was published in 2019 because of Betsy Clark.

    Betsy’s mentoring continues. I can hear her voice, and these words are currently etched in my brain: Beck, it’s time to write your second book.

    Bets—Thank YOU for believing in ME. My favorite hand-painted card and quote you gave me says, “She didn’t just survive—she became.” In your honor and memory, I will continue to spread hope and build communities of hope and healing. I am forever grateful for your supervision, mentorship, and friendship.

Resources

Clark, E., & Corbett, B.S. (2018-2019). 10 facts on why you should find a mentor and what to expect from the relationship. The New Social Worker. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/10-facts-on-why-you-should-find-a-mentor-and-what-to-expect-/

Clark, E.J. (2017). Choose hope (always choose hope). Covenant Books.

Corbett, B.S. (2019). The bridge to hope & healing®: 9 principles to guide you in a moment of crisis. BSCorbett Consulting, LLC.

Maxwell, J.C. (2008). Mentoring 101: What every leader needs to know. Thomas Nelson.

Becky S. Corbett, MSW, ACSW, served NASW under Betsy Clark from 2001 to 2013. She is now President and CEO of BSCorbett Consulting and is a speaker, trainer, and executive coach.