The Power of Building a Support Network for Yourself
We know the importance of building a support network around our clients, but do we give much focus on building a team around ourselves?
I’ve seen this concept discussed more and more through people like Vikki Reynolds and her idea of ‘Solidarity Teams’ and Fiona Oates with the TISS (Trauma Informed Support & Supervision) Framework which speaks about a ‘Support Team’ or a ‘TISS Team’. Both speak to the prevention of burnout through having a team of support around you. This is also the focus of a module within the Passionate Practitioner Project that I run.
So what exactly is a support team for ourselves? Well it’s exactly what it sounds like, it is a team around us (those that work in the profession or similar) who can support you and in return you support them to be the best practitioners possible. In this context it does not include the people around us who are not involved in our work, like our family and friends (while they are important, this concept is about building a professional support team). It may include colleagues, a supervisor, a mentor, a group within your professional body.
The benefits of having a support team around us include:
Emotional Support: Our roles can be challenging, and so having a team that can understand the nature of your work and that can provide an outlet for processing feelings and to talk through situations.
Professional Development: A support teams offers diverse insights, perspectives and opportunities of knowledge sharing. This ultimately broadens our understanding and improves our practice.
Accountability: A support team plays a crucial role in holding us accountable for our actions and decisions ensuring ethical practice and personal development. We need people around us, who can remind us if we are not at our best or if they think we could have done something differently.
To grow a support team around you, start with some questions:
Who is currently in my support team (both formal and informal) and do they provide the functionality above? Identify any gaps
Do those in your support team know that they are part of this team for you? Communicating this is critical and giving them permission to challenge you!
Who else needs to be part of your team? Who can you bring in to your team?
A team around us can provide the much-needed support, accountability, and guidance that enables us to deliver our best work while maintaining our well-being. If you are struggling in your work then this could be a great place to start to build this team around you.