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Докладът е представен в Секция 6.2 – Педагогика и психология.

FRI-2.205-1-PP-10

LEADERSHIP IN THE SOCIAL SPHERE: THE BALANCE BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND HUMAN-CENTERED CARE

Език: ENСтраници: 78-84

Цитиране на доклада

Assist. Prof. Dima Spasova, PhD

Department of Pedagogy University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

E-mail: dspasova@uni-ruse.bg

Abstract

Leadership in the social sphere represents a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that combines administrative competence with ethical sensitivity and human care. The contemporary social manager operates in a dynamic environment shaped by social change, digitalization, and diverse professional expectations. The paper explores the dual nature of leadership in the social sector - as an instrument of effective management and as a form of human-centered guidance and emotional support. The study emphasizes several core leadership roles: representative, managerial, mentoring, mediating, field-based, and supportive (through supervision and team development). Each of these roles reflects the balance between organizational efficiency and the need for empathy, trust, and psychological well-being within teams. Furthermore, the paper analyzes key challenges faced by social leaders today, including intergenerational workforce management, the impact of social media on professional identity, the development of a learning culture, ethical and empathetic decision-making, and the maintenance of emotional balance among staff.
The paper concludes that effective leadership in the social sector requires a combination of strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and ethical integrity. Sustainable social services can only be achieved when management transcends administrative control and embodies understanding, compassion, and genuine concern for people - both service users and professionals who support them.

Keywords

social leadership, management, emotional intelligence, empathy, ethics, professional development, supervision, social work management

REFERENCES

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