Using a Professional Package to Balance Power in the Supervisory Relationship Frank Delano, LMSW and Jill Shah, LPC

1. Using a Professional Package to Balance Power in the Supervisory Relationship Frank Delano, LMSW and Jill Shah, LPC Presented by Frank Delano at "Quality in Alternative Care“ Conference, in Prague, Czech Republic, April 4, 2011 Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

2. Introductions • Name • Position • Agency, Country • “Words of Wisdom” about Supervision Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

3. POWER • Assigned authority: One party can always “pull rank” • Key role in hiring, firing, promotions, salary increases • Administrative power; Lifestyle impact • The “power of access”: Quality and quantity • Impact on self esteem and sense of competency • Expectation of supervisee to reveal more about themselves • Mediates relationships and image in and outside of agency. This is REAL POWER! • Power and influence doesn’t stop when the professional relationship ends Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

4. "Games” of Power by Played by Supervisees(Kadushin) • LESSENING DEMANDS • Two against the agency • You’re the BEST supervisor • REDEFINING THE RELATIONSHIP • Protect me/treat me • Evaluations are not for friends • REDUCING THE POWER DISPARITY • You remember, don’t you…. • What do you really know about the front line? • CONTROLLING THE SITUATION • Head it off at the pass • What you don’t know won’t hurt me Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage @gmail.com

5. Games Supervisees Play(F. Delano and J. Shah) • The “easy button” • Shopping for answers • “Supervisor Tipper” • I heard everyone talking…. • Voice mail roulette • I already told you my weakness…. • The crying game • You don’t understand these kids… • You could look it up Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

6. “Game” Supervisors Play(F. Delano and J. Shah) • Carpet Bombing • The Safety I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage • The Million Dollar Idea • I’m on My Way to a Meeting… • As the World Turns (Around Me) and “Gotcha!” Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage @gmail.com

7. With the privilege of professional judgment comes the responsibility for reflective practice Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage @gmail.com

8. Power(F. Delano and J. Shah) A sometimes structured, often subtle dynamic that has significant effect on any relationship. Power used to “control”, or in a vengeful way, can be destructive, intimidating and have disastrous effects on a relationship, causing harm to all. Power used thoughtfully, respectfully, and wisely by critical thinkers can create the path for dynamic growth for all involved. Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

9. Balancing the Power: Supervisor’s Use of a “Professional Package” • Clear set of expectations • Opportunity for a good and fair start • Provide appropriate resources • Regular and integrated evaluations • Job should match skills • Encourage “Critical Thinking” and Constructive Confrontation • Develop a “learning diagnosis” of your supervisees • Do agency opportunities match supervisee’s goals? • Do the right thing, not always the best thing Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage @gmail.com

10. Balancing the Power: Supervisor’s Use of a “Professional Package” • “Contracting” the relationship • Use the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 agenda model in supervision • Try to delegate “outcome not process” when the supervisee can handle that well • Care about the supervisee as an individual…not a “shift” • Be mindful of the power you have and be willing to be self reflective about it Using the Professional Package to create a “culture of ethics” Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage @gmail.com

11. Valuing the Supervisory Session • Establish regularly scheduled sessions • Be pro-active in rescheduling any missed session • Minimize interruptions (phone calls, turn computer off, consider alternative site, etc.) • Consider a “sign” that supervision is important • Establish and contract a 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 agenda model (1/3 from supervisor, 1/3 from supervisee, and 1/3 at discretion of supervisor) • Use readings for discussion points and preparation for sessions • Develop a culture that “mistakes are for learning” and “critical thinking and self reflection” are not negotiable options. Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

12. Ethics and the Supervisory Relationship • Maintaining competence • Supervising and practicing only in areas of expertise • Commitments to employing organization • Preventing and monitoring discrimination in hiring and work assignment practices • Challenging agency policies/procedures when they may conflict with ethical practice • Confidentiality responsibilities • Avoiding the state of “being overwhelmed” Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

13. Ethics and the Supervisory Relationship • Regular and objective formal evaluation and assessment of supervisee’s practice • Preventing supervisee from sharing personal information • Accurate and honest record keeping and documentation • Reasonable steps to avoid supervisee presenting themselves or practicing at a level beyond their training, expertise level, or experience • “Dual relationships” Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

14. Dual Relationships(Pearson and Piazza) • Circumstantial multiple roles • Structured multiple professional roles • Shifts in professional roles • Personal and professional role conflicts • The predatory professional ***It is supervisor’s responsibility to manage and monitor the dual relationship issues *** Being aware of power and influence of supervisor and avoid exploiting trust and dependency of supervisee Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

15. Critical Thinking Differences of opinions, expectations, and misunderstandings are inevitable among critically thinking people. Resolving these conflicts in a constructive way will most often strengthen the relationship Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

16. Encouraging Critical Thinking • Develop a culture and a daily reality that mistakes are primarily for learning, not blame • Dedicate time in team meetings to brainstorming and problem solving/reviewing • Set a high professional standard that reflective practice and openness in “risking practice” is not optional. It is a professional expectation…demand it and reward it • Encourage and welcome constructive confrontation in all directions in the program. Establish a “help me understand” mode. Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

17. OWNING YOUR OWN SUPERVISION • Ask! Ask! Ask!, and then ASK! • View Supervision as a way to grow personally and professionally. “With the privilege of professional judgment comes the responsibility of reflective practice!” • Seek out “supervision” anywhere you can and from anyone willing • Remember to ask the two magic questions • Learn and be willing to practice the art of constructive confrontation with your supervisor • Bring an agenda to supervision • Participate in group supervision Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

18. OWNING YOUR OWN SUPERVISION • Politely “insist” on a timely evaluation and use your option to respond • Politely “insist” on regular supervision sessions • Training! Take all you can and be seen as one who will • Establish a “teaching diagnosis” of your supervisor • Be empathic with your supervisor’s issues and pressures • Learn the art of “managing your boss” • Remember: IT’S A RELATIONSHIP Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

19. Supervision(F. Delano and J. Shah) Supervision is a professional relationship that provides support, education, monitoring of quality, and creates a safe forum to reflect on professional practice. It should encourage constructive confrontation and critical thinking that informs and improves the practice of all parties. Respecting the inherent hierarchy in the relationship, it should accept the ethical responsibility to use power in a thoughtful manner. The dynamics in the supervisory relationship can create a parallel process in all other relationships including that of the client/worker. Ultimately, supervision should be the vehicle to create dynamic growth, establish high professional standards and enhance quality and culturally competent services. Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

20. Confrontation(F. Delano and J. Shah) A proactive intervention to intercept and redirect behavior that may require change and To create a forum to better understand and guide the judgment/practice of both parties in order to ultimately improve quality and culturally competent service. Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

21. “Professional Package”(F. Delano and J. Shah) A cohesive concept that logically articulates a commonly accepted professional standard that depersonalizes an issue and stimulates a professional process. Consistent use of the package cultivates an organizational culture that promotes a standard of excellence, cultural competence, and highest quality services. Frank Delano and Jill C. Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

22. Reflections Elaborate a reflection on one of the following: • I learned…. • I re-learned…. • I discovered… • I realized… Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com

23. Presenter Contact Information Frank Delano, LMSW “Professional Package” 120 Gold Street, Hawthorne, New York 10532 United States of America 914-673-7802 Professionalpackage@Gmail.com Fdelano24@aol.com Frank Delano and Jill Shah Professionalpackage@Gmail.com