The recent landing of the robotic Mars rover Curiosity by NASA has me thinking about the magic of innovation. Thousands of things had to go just right in order for those involved to achieve such a task. Of course, years of planning, testing, learning by both mistake and success led to this outcome but the end result is certainly magnificent!
It's easy to believe that such innovation belongs only in the fields of science, engineering, computer technology, etc. But as one who has a long history and a continuing connectedness in non-profit charity work, I firmly believe that we must appreciate and pursue innovation in the delivery of human services, health care and the like. For example, I would ask, how have we been innovative in our approach to feeding the hungry, serving people who are homeless, educating kids with disabilities? It would sadden me to believe that we can land a machine on Mars with almost pinpoint accuracy yet we still operate a homeless shelter the way it was managed 70 years ago.
Innovation does not need to manifest itself in the form of a gadget, although sometimes it does. It can come in the form of a new process or a series of questions that lead to more useful information. Sometimes innovation involves the merging of two seemingly different disciplines to produce a refreshing new and valuable byproduct.
A program in Lorain County, Ohio comes to mind where persons who are experiencing extreme poverty and even homelessness are introduced to the concept of entrepreneurship, starting their own micro-businesses in an effort to produce income and a degree of financial stability instead of waiting months or even years for someone else to hire them. Contact me for more detailed information about this program if you are curious - excuse the pun.
Many such stories of innovation in the "caring industries" do exist but I would encourage even more innovation. I ask my colleagues in non-profit, are you a change agent in your organization? In your community? Do you feel free to offer innovative ideas within your organization or is the environment in which you work stifling to new ideas? If so, how can you tactfully change such an organizational culture?
Some folks scoff at the notion that we (humankind) spend too much time, energy and resources exploring the universe while many still suffer here on Earth. And while I do "get that", I also suggest that many still suffer here on earth because we (humankind) have neglected to be innovative in our care for others. Do practitioners in the charities wake up each morning with a spirit of innovation and the craving to do better as do our friends in the sciences? Some do, for sure, yet regrettably many do not and they are still running their shelter as if it were 1942.
I don't believe in change just for the sake of change itself, that philosophy can be harmful. But I do believe that purposeful innovation can and should happen throughout the vast spectrum of human endeavor, including the work of so many non-profit charity organizations. I offer my congratulations to the innovation offered by those who work at NASA to make the Mars landing possible and equally to those in the non-profits in Lorain, Ohio who are teaching the homeless to start their own micro-businesses! Inspirational Video & Space Exploration
Showing posts with label Non-Profit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Non-Profit. Show all posts
Monday, August 6, 2012
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Managing Stress Vital in the Caring Industries
I have the privilege on Friday, February 27, 2009 to speak to the employees of a local non-profit social service agency serving people with disabilities and their families. They have invited me to visit them during a staff retreat to discuss the nature of their work, remind them that their work is indeed meaningful and address the stress that is inherent in their day-to-day work experience.
Having worked myself in the non-profit social service sector for over 22 years, and reviewing the profiles of each employee, their job roles, etc. on their company website, I feel that I know them well.
I am convinced that people who work in the social service arena, or the “helping” industry are cut essentially from the same fabric. At the risk of stereotyping, here’s what I believe I know about them before even meeting them. They are people with great capacity to care. They find joy in listening to others and helping them solve problems. These folks are resourceful. They spend their days collecting information about the resources in their community that might be helpful to the people they serve. They collect information like others collect stamps, knick-knacks, baseball cards, sports paraphernalia, etc. Any social worker worth her salt has a milk crate full of files on programs, services, brochures, annual reports, names of people to call, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. Computer savvy social workers are now using computer databases, spreadsheets or some other type of software to collect and organize information. Essentially, they are walking libraries of helpful contacts.
Social service types are clever and persistent. They must be in order to be effective at what they do. They have a heightened sense of justice, pointing to social injustices like bomb sniffing dogs. They are advocates of social welfare and change. The best are often consulted by leaders in the community to get the pulse of the people.
Here’s what else I know about them. They’re exhausted. They are overwhelmed by the enormous amount of need in our communities. They are discouraged at the lack of resources made available to them to do what they feel is the most important work on the planet – helping others in time of need. They feel as if they are on the Titanic bailing out water with a thimble. They must manage unbelievable amounts of work related stress. At the end of the day they go home to their families and loved ones and hope that the ugly ravages of their day do not permeate their home, their marriage, and their relationships with friends. Some of them will work tirelessly until they become sick, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their biggest fear is of working to the point of burnout, getting to a place in life where they simply don’t care anymore - about people, about anything. Those who succeed at longevity in their field, working 25, 30, 35 years or more, will be given the obligatory retirement luncheon, many handshakes and well-wishes and then they'll hope to gradually find some degree of normalcy after a lifetime of giving.
A recent report compiled by the National Association of Social Workers entitled, “Stress at Work: How Do Social Workers Cope” describes the dilemma. Over 3,600 social workers responded to a survey and reported that indeed they are concerned about how work-related stress is affecting them. Seventy percent reported feeling fatigued from stress manifesting in health problems, sleep disorders and other such outcomes. One respondent said, “the major challenge of social work is that social workers have too many things on their plates. They cannot possibly do everything they need to do and do it well. Burnout is a main reason people are leaving the profession. We are short handed as it is…”
Here’s what I’m going to tell the group:
Your work is important and meaningful. I know that it’s easy to forget how meaningful your work is, especially when you are overwhelmed. You often don’t get to appreciate the long-term affects of your interaction with people but I want you to know that you are indeed changing lives for the better. You are leading a quiet revolution. You are serving our most vulnerable citizens in a manner that respects their rights, their dignity as a human being. Sadly, this is not happening in many areas of the world where those at risk are not provided even the most basic of life necessities. Worse, some are disregarded, considered of little or no value. But you, and others like you, refuse to allow this to happen in our society. You have gotten us to a place in our societal evolution where at least we know what to strive for. And you should know that even though some of your work may go undone, others who follow your lead will continue the effort.
While stress is an inherent reality of what you do, allowing yourself to get to the point of burnout is not noble. We need to you to learn how to nurture yourselves, to find balance in your life so that you can continue your important work for as long as you desire.
You already know this, but I’m going to remind you anyway. When you are overly stressed you harm yourself physically. You experience prolonged exhaustion to the point of illness, depression or some other similar consequence. You harm yourself emotionally and you become bitter. You feel as if life is robbing you of all that is important. You take out your frustration on those you love, family members, friends, co-workers or even clients. They don’t deserve that behavior from you and you really don’t want to treat people that way anyway, it’s not your nature. Respectfully, I need to tell you that when you get like this you are not a very attractive person. You have ironically become someone as unhealthy, at risk and vulnerable as those you serve. You deserve better.
When you get to feeling like this, here’s what I want you to remember. You deserve to be human, perhaps a little selfish for your own sake. That means that you should not feel the need to push yourself beyond your limit. In fact, you need to nurture yourself. You do not need anyone’s permission to nurture yourself, just do it. You should not feel guilty showing yourself some tender loving care. Do not wait for someone else to nurture you. You are the expert of your own self and while others care about you they won’t see what you already know. First, you need to get some rest. Your body needs to rejuvenate, everything else will fall into place when you are rested. When rested, reflect on what you are sacrificing due to your job. Are you not seeing family members enough? Spend time with them. Are you not eating right? Determine to change your diet to allow more healthy foods into your life. Continual stress increases hormone levels in your body that need to be released else they become harmful to you. Exercise can purge your body of these harmful stimulants. Change your lifestyle in a manner that lets you get some exercise at least 3 times a week. Consider all the ways that you need to regain balance in your life and pursue these positive changes.
When you are at work, tell don’t ask, others in your work environment about the changes you are making. They will be better served by you and your example if you are able to address stress in a proactive manner. If you truly believe that your workload is unrealistic, share these concerns with others in your organization, especially those with influence, supervisors, managers, directors, board members. Cite your concern for the safety of your clients. Tell your co-workers that you will not participate in a caseload so large that would be harmful to your clients. They deserve better and so do you. Don’t whine, simply state your concern in a professional manner. Start with your immediate supervisor and go up the line until your concern is addressed. Place your concerns in writing, perhaps during a performance review so that you can refer others back to your wisdom. Others will view you as a leader, whether they agree publicly or not and will be relieved that someone else shares the same concern.
You must revisit and tweak your lifestyle often to be sure you are not falling back into a behavior pattern that leads to burnout. Encourage your co-workers and your organization to discuss strategies for addressing stress. Develop team strategies for working more effectively and with less stress. Encourage open communication to get to a point where everyone supports each other in the effort to reduce the negative affects of stress inherent in your work.
You and your coworkers are too valuable an asset to our community and our nation for you to succumb to the powerful affect of stress and burnout. Please don’t let this happen. Go forth and create a healthier and better balanced lifestyle for yourself. Enjoy! And, one last thing – thank you!
Having worked myself in the non-profit social service sector for over 22 years, and reviewing the profiles of each employee, their job roles, etc. on their company website, I feel that I know them well.
I am convinced that people who work in the social service arena, or the “helping” industry are cut essentially from the same fabric. At the risk of stereotyping, here’s what I believe I know about them before even meeting them. They are people with great capacity to care. They find joy in listening to others and helping them solve problems. These folks are resourceful. They spend their days collecting information about the resources in their community that might be helpful to the people they serve. They collect information like others collect stamps, knick-knacks, baseball cards, sports paraphernalia, etc. Any social worker worth her salt has a milk crate full of files on programs, services, brochures, annual reports, names of people to call, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. Computer savvy social workers are now using computer databases, spreadsheets or some other type of software to collect and organize information. Essentially, they are walking libraries of helpful contacts.
Social service types are clever and persistent. They must be in order to be effective at what they do. They have a heightened sense of justice, pointing to social injustices like bomb sniffing dogs. They are advocates of social welfare and change. The best are often consulted by leaders in the community to get the pulse of the people.
Here’s what else I know about them. They’re exhausted. They are overwhelmed by the enormous amount of need in our communities. They are discouraged at the lack of resources made available to them to do what they feel is the most important work on the planet – helping others in time of need. They feel as if they are on the Titanic bailing out water with a thimble. They must manage unbelievable amounts of work related stress. At the end of the day they go home to their families and loved ones and hope that the ugly ravages of their day do not permeate their home, their marriage, and their relationships with friends. Some of them will work tirelessly until they become sick, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their biggest fear is of working to the point of burnout, getting to a place in life where they simply don’t care anymore - about people, about anything. Those who succeed at longevity in their field, working 25, 30, 35 years or more, will be given the obligatory retirement luncheon, many handshakes and well-wishes and then they'll hope to gradually find some degree of normalcy after a lifetime of giving.
A recent report compiled by the National Association of Social Workers entitled, “Stress at Work: How Do Social Workers Cope” describes the dilemma. Over 3,600 social workers responded to a survey and reported that indeed they are concerned about how work-related stress is affecting them. Seventy percent reported feeling fatigued from stress manifesting in health problems, sleep disorders and other such outcomes. One respondent said, “the major challenge of social work is that social workers have too many things on their plates. They cannot possibly do everything they need to do and do it well. Burnout is a main reason people are leaving the profession. We are short handed as it is…”
Here’s what I’m going to tell the group:
Your work is important and meaningful. I know that it’s easy to forget how meaningful your work is, especially when you are overwhelmed. You often don’t get to appreciate the long-term affects of your interaction with people but I want you to know that you are indeed changing lives for the better. You are leading a quiet revolution. You are serving our most vulnerable citizens in a manner that respects their rights, their dignity as a human being. Sadly, this is not happening in many areas of the world where those at risk are not provided even the most basic of life necessities. Worse, some are disregarded, considered of little or no value. But you, and others like you, refuse to allow this to happen in our society. You have gotten us to a place in our societal evolution where at least we know what to strive for. And you should know that even though some of your work may go undone, others who follow your lead will continue the effort.
While stress is an inherent reality of what you do, allowing yourself to get to the point of burnout is not noble. We need to you to learn how to nurture yourselves, to find balance in your life so that you can continue your important work for as long as you desire.
You already know this, but I’m going to remind you anyway. When you are overly stressed you harm yourself physically. You experience prolonged exhaustion to the point of illness, depression or some other similar consequence. You harm yourself emotionally and you become bitter. You feel as if life is robbing you of all that is important. You take out your frustration on those you love, family members, friends, co-workers or even clients. They don’t deserve that behavior from you and you really don’t want to treat people that way anyway, it’s not your nature. Respectfully, I need to tell you that when you get like this you are not a very attractive person. You have ironically become someone as unhealthy, at risk and vulnerable as those you serve. You deserve better.
When you get to feeling like this, here’s what I want you to remember. You deserve to be human, perhaps a little selfish for your own sake. That means that you should not feel the need to push yourself beyond your limit. In fact, you need to nurture yourself. You do not need anyone’s permission to nurture yourself, just do it. You should not feel guilty showing yourself some tender loving care. Do not wait for someone else to nurture you. You are the expert of your own self and while others care about you they won’t see what you already know. First, you need to get some rest. Your body needs to rejuvenate, everything else will fall into place when you are rested. When rested, reflect on what you are sacrificing due to your job. Are you not seeing family members enough? Spend time with them. Are you not eating right? Determine to change your diet to allow more healthy foods into your life. Continual stress increases hormone levels in your body that need to be released else they become harmful to you. Exercise can purge your body of these harmful stimulants. Change your lifestyle in a manner that lets you get some exercise at least 3 times a week. Consider all the ways that you need to regain balance in your life and pursue these positive changes.
When you are at work, tell don’t ask, others in your work environment about the changes you are making. They will be better served by you and your example if you are able to address stress in a proactive manner. If you truly believe that your workload is unrealistic, share these concerns with others in your organization, especially those with influence, supervisors, managers, directors, board members. Cite your concern for the safety of your clients. Tell your co-workers that you will not participate in a caseload so large that would be harmful to your clients. They deserve better and so do you. Don’t whine, simply state your concern in a professional manner. Start with your immediate supervisor and go up the line until your concern is addressed. Place your concerns in writing, perhaps during a performance review so that you can refer others back to your wisdom. Others will view you as a leader, whether they agree publicly or not and will be relieved that someone else shares the same concern.
You must revisit and tweak your lifestyle often to be sure you are not falling back into a behavior pattern that leads to burnout. Encourage your co-workers and your organization to discuss strategies for addressing stress. Develop team strategies for working more effectively and with less stress. Encourage open communication to get to a point where everyone supports each other in the effort to reduce the negative affects of stress inherent in your work.
You and your coworkers are too valuable an asset to our community and our nation for you to succumb to the powerful affect of stress and burnout. Please don’t let this happen. Go forth and create a healthier and better balanced lifestyle for yourself. Enjoy! And, one last thing – thank you!
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