In this online course you will learn:

In social work, presenting oneself authentically is a paramount skill for developing rapport and trust with clients and constituencies. Like in direct work with clients, authenticity is critical for the development of effective relationships with key stakeholders in social work advocacy and policy practice, making it a key component of any policy practitioner’s personal brand. The ability to go beyond transactional interactions and present in a consistently authentic way allows for increased political and advocacy efficacy and overall constituency participation, important components that should be factored into any policy practitioner’s brand development (Weinberg, 2024; Maffly-Kipp et al., 2022). In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the importance of authenticity in policy practice and brand development. They will leave the session with the beginnings of a specific personal brand that is usable in social work advocacy, political social work, and general macro practice.

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will be able to identify the importance of branding and authenticity.
2. Participants will understand the connection between authenticity, personal branding, and advocacy/political efficacy.
3. Participants will develop a beginning framework for their own personal/professional brand.