Well here we are at the end of 2023 and with Christmas and 2024 almost upon us, we thought we would engage in a conversation together reflecting back on the year and our supervision practice. Here’s the questions we asked each other and our answers.
What is something you are particularly thankful for in your supervision practice for 2023?
Rod: Rhythms. This year I established some dedicated rhythms and dedicated space for working with people in supervision. I have other work that often consumes my headspace, so having time reserved to get in a supervision groove was useful and fun.
Chris: That professional supervision continues to be supported by organisations and that the evolution of professional supervision continues into a range of interdisciplinary contexts. I am also incredibly thankful for my own professional supervisor without whose support, knowledge and skill I couldn’t do this work.
Karen: Thankful for the people who I work with that keep coming back, keep trusting me to hear them, listen to them, challenge them and support them. Thankful that they trust me to have their interests and the wider interests of their clients, community and organisations at heart. And thankful for the robust conversations that we are able to have that inspire, challenge and also grow me.
What have your most enjoyed about your supervision practice in 2023?
Chris: The incredible practice that the people I work with in supervision share with me and the amazingly creative ways that practitioners undertake their mahi that upholds the mana of the people they work with.
Karen: I have enjoyed the conversations and the ako, as I do most years. In addition this year, I have begun working with a few groups in supervision who wouldn’t traditionally engage in supervision (and in their context they are calling it something else). I have enjoyed seeing them gain from the process of sharing and debriefing and reflecting in their teams. It has been enjoyable to see the broad concept of supervision spread beyond the realms of helping professions into wider customer service spaces.
Rod: This might sound a bit strange, but I’ve really enjoyed unpacking ethical dilemmas. I learn something new every time. Increasingly, I’m noticing multi-faceted relationships in these ethical dilemmas, and I think I might need to write a separate blog about that – after Summer! (Yes Rod, we hope you will)
What has been the biggest challenge in your supervision practice for 2023?
Karen: In recent weeks it has been supporting people as they grapple with what our new government will mean (and has already meant) for their jobs, work context and lives, and helping them make sense of the New Zealand we are being led into. Looking from across the whole year, it has been supporting people with some very challenging pieces of work and finding the right ‘stance’ where I can support this work from. I knowing it is not my role to ‘fix’ or mend or change the challenging work situations or client scenarios they are managing, but it can be easy to feel at times like what I am able to do is so minimal. Finding the middle space or the right balance in this has been my challenge.
Rod: Many people I’m listening to and working with are tired and approaching burnout. This past year has felt like that’s been more pronounced than previously. I’ve been wrestling with what the fullest potential of supervision might be, and what our limitations are, or what we think those limitations are. (and there might be another blog in the New Year there too Rod!)
Chris: The level of complex and traumatic events that people are holding in their work and also the challenge of experiencing a number of personal and whānau challenges in my own life. This has led me to have to make some difficult decisions about my work and I am very appreciative of the understanding and patience of my colleagues and the people I work with in supervision.
What has been your biggest learning in supervision in 2023?
Rod: This year I’m reflecting about the resilience and tenacity of practitioners and kaimahi who have been working in challenging circumstances, often with their own wellbeing on the line. There are lots of great resources which can fuel healthy and integrated lives, and this also benefits from fresh mental maps about how we work with others and what sustains us.
Chris: That there is always something to learn, and the power of holding a space which supports and trusts that change is possible even in the most challenging of situations (this is not a new learning but always good to be reminded).
Karen: This is also not a new learning but a reminder, that being able to be authentic and finding a way to disclose and share my experiences is also an important part the supervision process. It is easy to maintain a stance of keeping my own story, or experiences or even challenges to myself in supervision, however there are times when actually sharing some of this is vital for the trust and relationship, and can support the safety and honesty and ako within the supervision relationship.
What are you anticipating for your supervision practice in 2024?
Chris: Lots of conversations about the way that policies impact on the work, how we continue to hold hope and possibility in a world that can feel pretty broken at times, how we can continue to care for ourselves as we care for others, how as a professional supervisor I support Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te reo Māori, a continuing focus on looking for and celebrating all the successes (even the really tiny ones), continuing to learn from all the amazing people that I work with in supervision.
Karen: I have recently been interviewed by a number of new supervisees as space has become available for me to work with new people. I anticipate the first part of the year being filled with whanaungatanga, and learning how to work with these new people and working out the ‘dance’ we will set aside to do together. This is always an inspiring time of discovery and I am looking forward to this. And of course I can anticipate all the things that Chris has suggested too.
Rod: I need to prepare my rhythms and devoted space and map out what the year might look like. After a chat with Karen the other day about how far in advance her diary is, I’m feeling inspired and motivated!
Well that’s a wrap on 2023 for the Project Team. We hope you and your teams are able to reflect back on your work this year and notice the learning, the things you most enjoyed, the challenges, and the things you are thankful for. We wish for you all what you need this season, and hope that this includes some rest, some time with whanau and some sunny days.
Ngā mihi,
Rod, Chris and Karen
The Project Team
Karen- I am thankful for the robust conversations that have made me challenge my thinking and there has been a lot in 2023. To think, there was a time where I was not a fan of supervision, however now I look forward to unpacking what is clogging up my headspace and get a different perspective or even an acknowledgement that I am on the right path OR NOT.
It is so good to hear stories of people valuing supervision and being open to challenge as well as support in the supervision space. Ngā mihi Leeanne.