Ability versus Attitude

Today made for an interesting day. I faciltated a meeting in which a colleague interjected a challenge of ability versus attitude. In a time where social justice undergirds  the work we provide, it is important for us to use caution with terms such as micro aggressions and trigger. Sometimes these words of significant meaning are tossed around lime candy on Halloween night with very little gravity of depth.

Taboo as it may, sometimes these words become buzz or trending topics that mask areas such as disengagement, comfort, complacency, or apathy. The roots in these situations tend to be distrust, disenfranchisement, and disord. If we neglect to dig deeper, the gap of communication divide will only widen.

Baby Steps, Learning to Work for Yourself

It’s taken quite a bit of time for me to absorb the true meaning of working for yourself.

Those of us who are overly ambitious straight out of the womb make it our business to achieve at all costs.

When it comes to those we serve (volunteer, career, and affiliations), nothing but the best will do.

However, I noticed recently that I am just now learning the true value of working for myself.

Initially, most will assume that I am speaking of entrepreneurial adventures.

Not at all.

I’m simply calling attention to the effort and mindset we place in working for others. Yet, we seldom use the same wisdom and acumen in the workplace in our own personal lives.

Recently, I had the opportunity to look myself in the mirror and realize that I don’t go as hard for myself as I go at a job or for others. We are all guilty of not taking our own advice from time to time. But, not working for myself with the same intensity that I do for someone else’s dream is impacting the quality of life that I live.

That’s when the light bulb grew its brightest.

I realized the same opportunities that I enjoy when I’m under someone else’s umbrella, dime, or time-needs to hold true in my personal life. I am an overachiever when it comes to career-related accomplishments.

But, I can truthfully say it’s time to be an overachiever when it comes to loving myself and fully developing my potential.

I’m slowly putting together networks and talking with people with whom I need to sit at their feet.

It’s time out for putting so much effort outside of my door while not being balanced with other facets of my life.

So, know this-working for yourself requires a person to question why they do things and navigate every possible way to advance holistically in life. Mind, body, and soul.

All the movers and shakers of the world. It’s great what we do on the playing field (ie our careers). However, a time shift is upon us. Don’t get left behind with the same old two-step and lopsided accomplishments. Such behavior only leads to spiritual dehydration.

Truth about Supervision

Just the other day, I was blessed to receive a call from one of my Graduate friends. My friend and I talked about upcoming plans and some of the progress notes we have made thus far in the new year. Somewhere along the way the conversation took a turn towards supervision. In particular, someone who I briefly met felt some type of way about my leadership style. In all truth, the person really did not have much to go on. I chuckled part way through that conversation point because I realized this person was new to leadership and is still wet behind the ears.

However, I did enjoy that the information was brought to my ears because it helped me journey back down memory lane to some of the mistakes that I have made in supervision over the years.

Here’s a highlight reel of the ones that come to mind:

• Not always making enough time for staff vs. tasks
• Not saying “No” more frequently
• Not always realizing when I am not respecting someone’s time (specifically my co-supervisor)
• Using a 1:1 for my own vent session (yikes)
• Stopping others from abusing or hi-jacking my calendar (which put my staff at a disadvantage)
• Not developing my emotional intelligence sooner (thank you to all my supervisees who responded with grace)

Not to mention the challenges that come with supervising:

• “Nothing is ever enough”-supervisors are the funnels for complaints above and below them
• No regard for the things you do well and the time it takes to complete them
• Constant resistance towards development from above and below
• The need for one or more versions of yourself for the tasks lying at hand
• The vast amounts of resiliency that you must absorb to function at high levels daily

By now most of you are resembling ‘bobble heads’ as you nod in agreement along the way. The world of supervision is both taxing and rewarding at the same time. I believe the number rule of thumb is that you have to give your self a margin for error. You are going to make mistakes, hurt or misunderstand others, and lose some valuable lessons along the way. In stark contrast, you will shape the lives of others for a lifetime, you will develop the potential in employees that will lead to a better tomorrow, and you will learn more about yourself through the mistakes that you make.

You have to make the mistakes to grow into the developer you are meant to be. But, you also have to be willing to respect the past, make no excuses for today (own your own ish), and constantly be open to the innovative offerings of tomorrow. So, I still chuckle at anyone who blames another supervisor, colleague, boss, etc. for what they wrestle today. That’s the largest clue that you are an amateur supervisor. Anyone that has been around the block long enough will tell you that there is no ‘one size, fits all approach.’ However, there is always the opportunity to learn from those whose style and work challenges you out of your homogenous sip of tea.

Repost: New Year, Better You

Hi Peeps,

below is a link to a write up submitted to ACPA’s Standing Committee for Women weekly blog.

Enjoy,

http://www.myacpa.org/entity/standing-committee-women/blog/new-year-better-you

Social Justice in Supervision revisted

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to blog for ACPA’s Standing Committee for Women. I revisted how we as leaders in supervision can incorporate multicultural compentencies into our work. Feel free to take a look.

Social Justice in Supervision