HR Expert Provides Professional Insight on the Importance of Utilizing Social Work Skills in the Workplace

Social workers everywhere want to improve society’s well-being and help others lead better lives. It’s important to highlight what social workers do for society, as well as remind people of certain skills sets that can be used in everyday situations. LMSW Laura MacLeod, HR Guru and founder of “From the Inside Out Project®” (www.fromtheinsideoutproject.com), utilizes her skills and techniques as an HR expert and provides necessary tools in group work, conflict management, confidence, and more. As an adjunct professor at Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work, MacLeod lends her hand to help and offer students correct ways to handle group situations. With proper methods taught by MacLeod such as conflict resolution skills, her students leave each class with confidence and tools to employ at their careers or for their personal matter. 

“It’s important for people to understand proper techniques and tools to use in situations where group conflicts arise, whether it be educational, business or personal experiences,” States Laura MacLeod, founder of From The Inside Out Project. “Diversity is a large aspect when it comes to dealing with conflict. When I began teaching group work, I noticed and reflected on diversity in my classroom, and my students shared a desire to learn more and improve their skills.”

In the beginning of her experience in teaching group work, MacLeod had all kinds of diversity in her classroom, but what her students shared was a love of group work and the desire to learn more and improve their skills. Laura has taught in a variety of settings such as Masters Social Work, certificate programs, professional development and continuing education. She has taught small classes (7-9 students), all women classes, and many classes with a wide range of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and experience leading groups. In all of MacLeod’s classes, her students say that they are successfully able to learn from each other and connect over similar feelings about conflict, frustration with clients, and anxiety over terminations or trying new things. In one teaching experience, Laura provided skills to her students on the role of the leader and ‘what the leader should say’ in a discussion of conflict – a gay student was curious as to how to handle offensive comments from group members, and a Muslim woman wanted to know how to deal with an uncomfortable experience. MacLeod presents her teaching skills so that they will inform and support all of her diverse students, helping each one of them learn how to deal with group conflicts pertaining to their future diverse groups.   

Through her many group works, MacLeod has been able to help her students turn their weaknesses into strengths, advise them on how a group worker’s unique personality can be used as an agent of change, as well as give them the confidence to be able to effectively facilitate their groups and maximize group interactions. She is able to provide professional insight on the importance of utilizing social work skills in the workplace and in everyday situations many individuals face. MacLeod can advise on conflict resolution, problem solving, listening skills, and her techniques used for overall success.   

“As I have continued to teach group work, I’ve become more comfortable and confident in myself and my methods,” continued MacLeod. “Guiding these discussions is challenging because diversity comes in many forms and no two students or practice examples are alike. In these moments I certainly appreciate diversity and the work that I do to help others communicate better and resolve conflict.”

For more information on From the Inside Out Project® or Laura MacLeod visit http://fromtheinsideoutproject.com/. To interview MacLeod on her techniques or gain media access to her photos please email [email protected] or call 1.877.841.7244.

About Laura MacLeod

With a background in social work and 2 decades of experience as a union worker, Laura MacLeod created “From The Inside Out Project®,” with all levels of employment in mind to assist in maintaining a harmonious workplace. She is an adjunct professor in graduate studies at the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work and leads training sessions for social work professionals at The Coalition for Behavioral Health and Institute for Community Living in New York City. MacLeod speaks on conflict resolution, problem solving, and listening skills at conferences across the country.  

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