1: Supervision

In a small poll conducted recently on CYC-Net, only 25% of respondents indicated that they receive regular supervision in their work. A full half of the respondents indicated that they seldom, or never, engaged in supervision. Given the obvious connection between the quality and frequency of supervision and the quality of service delivery, we were sadly shocked by this statistic.

Therefore, this month we have decided to try and revive the thinking about supervision. To this end, we have posted an old article on a framework for thinking about supervision, and we invite your critique of this article, for the purpose of stimulating a discussion. We invite you to be as critical as you care to be. (See under “Supervision" in the Contents.)

So what exactly IS supervision?
Supervision is an interaction between two or more persons in which at least one person (the supervisor) is committed to the support, growth and enhancement of the quality of practice of another person (the worker). It takes many forms, depending on the belief systems of the individuals involved. It may, for example, involve regular, formal, sit-down meetings between a worker and her supervisor (e.g., Hawkins & Shohet) ; it may involve group meetings focused on supporting the worker (e.g., Kobolt and Werstlein); in may involve frequent, unscheduled meetings and interventions (e.g., Michael), etc. And, of course, there are other models (See Leddick and Browne & Bourne). What seems to be important is that there is congruence between supervision and practice (see Garfat) and that whatever form the supervision takes, it be appropriate to the developmental level of the worker (See, for example, Phelan).

We also want to remind you that there is a wealth of information about supervision on our Supervision Page (see here). Whether you are interested in confrontation in supervision, raising feelings in supervision, the role of the supervisor, the responsibilities of the supervisee, or any one of a number of issues, you will find interesting reading in these articles. Again, we invite your comments and/or reflections on any of these articles.

So, let us know what you think about supervision. Post your thoughts on the Discussion List, and let’s talk about it.

Thom and Brian

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2: Through my eyes

My cousin, Nils, and I were “skyping” the other day – we used to “talk” but having moved, ever the modern men, into this new age we were talking, watching, sending all at once. He wanted to tell me that he could now join the grandfathers baseball team, should such a thing exist, because he was now a grandfather himself.

"Isn’t he beautiful?” he panted, fairly shivering with the delight and pleasure coursing through him. “Look at that face!”, he exclaimed, holding up a picture of Owen for me to see. “Isn’t he just the most beautiful baby ever in the history of the world?” Ever? No, really, he did say “ever”. Okay, if you think I am exaggerating, he even repeated it in public. Honest. You can check it out on his blog, because he is so over the hill right now he’s repeating himself, and repeating himself, and ... well, go here http://truthsandhalftruths.typepad.com

Now, what’s interesting is not that he said these things but that he said them with an absolute, undeniable conviction that they were true. No questions entertained; no wondering if he was biased. Just a simple statement of fact.

Now Nils is a storyteller and writer. And a good one (which, in itself, is a reason to visit his site). This makes him, one assumes, a refined observer of people. Somewhat detached, observant, insightful with regard to human quirks. In fact we have had wonderful conversations about what makes people tick, the illusion of reality, and the assumptions of self-correctness with which so many people wander through life. But not he and I, we always agreed. We are, we assert confidently, in touch with ourselves, aware (and in control) of our own tendencies towards assuming that the way we see the world is the way that it is; that truth is best seen through our eyes. (Even though, in the quiet of the night when everyone else has gone to bed, we might acknowledge that this is, actually, true.)

We are guys, after all. Not overwhelmed by heightened emotion and all that other mushy stuff that clouds the perceptions of a great part of the human race. And while we are, indeed, modern men, we are not overcome by our feminine side. Not us. Nope. Acknowledging of it, yes, but not overpowered by it.

Yet here he was. Sharing his experiencing with me as if it was actually “real”.

"Yes,” I responded when it was (finally) necessary for him to take a breath during his “praise of first grandson” speech, “He does look good.”

That wasn’t enough and so off he went again. “No. I mean, really, isn’t he just?”

I let it go. Perhaps I should say “I let him go”.

I have a another friend who is also a grandfather. He regularly sends me pictures of “the” little princess detailing her exploits and accomplishments which, as anyone with any perception at all can easily see, he points out, are far beyond those of an average child. And he is not the only one. My computer is filled with the photographic details of the growth of little people, all the grandchildren of guys I know. It is a growing folder and I am not sure what to do with it – I could, theoretically, delete the photos but somehow it seems wrong, a violation of relationship.

What is it that happens to us (guys?) when we are faced with those tiny little creatures to whom we are related? How is it that one tiny unexercised finger is able to punch straight through to our heart, touch it gently, and leave us emotionally disabled for life?

What happens to us?

And how come my friends can’t all see that “my” Emilie, the grand-daughter of the century, is beyond a doubt, the finest of them all. From the moment she first touched my heart I was able to notice how she rose above every other child ever born, even the children who produced her.

I don’t know why my friends can’t just see that and calm their own exuberance. After all, as we agreed some time ago, truth is best seen through my eyes.

Thom