In the professional realm and as part of my professional practice as a social worker and provider of external supervision, I regularly attend business network meetings with like minded, entrepreneurial woman here in Otautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand. This is also very much aligned with my personal interests in the pursuit of being the best human being I can be.
We discuss subjects, connect, empower, support and extend aroaha to eachother.
This past week, we were provided with a sheet from Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead progam which you can find more about here:
https://medium.com/@jsparker18/how-to-lead-in-uncertain-times-tips-from-bren%C3%A9-browns-dare-to-lead-56f66a48859e
(If you don’t know who Brene Brown is get googling! She’s a social worker among other things!)
Very quickly, I define one of my highest values as ‘Authenticity”.
Later, we were asked to set goals to report back on this following week. I decided to write a blog on “Authenticity”. So, here I am.
I googled the word and came up with this random explanation:
“What do we mean by authenticity?
Put simply, authenticity means you’re true to your own personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you’re under to act otherwise. You’re honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideals, and actions align”.
Upon reading this explanation to further expand my feelings and thoughts on the subject, I realised very quickly how this aligns with social work and how incredibly important it is to have a firm foundation for our practice that is built on values and all it suggests. I realise this ties in beautifully with the social work models I tend to use such as Te Whare Tapa Wha and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for example. I realise I AM practising in an authentic way and that it is no wonder my Sup4theSoul business is founded on these very things!
I have completed my goal.
I have expanded my thinking.
I use these practices in my supervsion – I ask that we explore our needs, we delve into identifying our values, we explore our wairua or spirituality and that we act in not only a professional manner, but in a manner that aligns with our authentic selves.
I have always truly believed that if we do this, we live not only our personal lives this way, but our professional lives become an extension of this and our mahi/work becomes our aligned and easy passion. I must be on the right track as I managed to receive a scholarship to attend Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead program next week! Excited much?!
I challenge you to consider your values today. Use the list. Find something out about yourself and bring it into your professional realm. I believe your professional life will be enhanced. It may become a little challenging in areas, but you will be honouring you so it will likely become easier! That’s my experiencce anyway.
Give it a whirl and have a great day living your best authentic life!
D