System Changers: People
By Louise Shaw
‘System Changers’ in Kilwinning is a programme supported by Corra and Lankelly Chase. The programme is designed to bring people together and provide the time, space and tools to contribute to positive change at an individual, organisational and systemic level.
This blog is by Louise, Community Co-ordinator in People in Place, and shares her reflections on the Systems Changers work so far.
People like You and I
Professionals – who are the professionals? Depending on the situation they can be anyone, a chef, a social worker, a cleaner, a lawyer, a shop worker, a support worker, doctor, carer, an employee in a work place – the list is endless.
It can be seen that a ‘professional’, is just that – a professional. They are often seen as experts within their role – that they know everything, never need help, they can be a strong and firm decision maker.
In truth, firstly a professional is human. They are a person like you and me. They have good and bad days like all of us and have families and worries of their own.
I’ve seen this happen before where professionals – those in a job to help other people have been left feeling upset when they have been treated unkindly for doing their job.
Compassion
A personal trait of mine like many others is when 99 people tell me I am doing a great job and one person didn’t think I did a great job, I will focus and worry about that one person and what they said, not the 99 people with positive comments. It can make me doubt myself and my abilities. My confidence is sometimes lowered, as well as my self- esteem. Imposter syndrome kicks in and it can take a person a long time to feel confident in their own abilities again.
My advice – if something isn’t right, we can use our words in a constructive way to get our point across without causing unnecessary harm to someone’s feelings. Nobody is perfect, and no we don’t need to get it right 100% of the time, but helping someone to do better next time is much more effective than telling someone how they have failed.
Kindness
This is another example of System Change. We are all part of a System at some point, accessing a service of some kind. Next time think how you could use your words differently to help support change in a positive way.
I don’t claim to be perfect and have made mistakes of my own. I’m learning every day, but I do believe we should always treat people with respect, kindness and compassion. This is how I see systems and people changing for the better – when we work together.
