As I have been writing reflections and curating content for my website, I have naturally been thinking about, “How would this land for someone like me?”
Someone weary of buzzwords, sales pitches, flashy marketing, and the inauthentic use of inclusive language. Someone who thinks they are pretty good at noticing misalignment between words and action.
Someone who grew up observing everything. Being alert to subtle shifts in mood and body language. Constantly aware of the unspoken messages around them.
Someone who has been in places where they didn’t feel fully accepted, and in places where they learned to mask and adapt themselves in order to fit in.
An experience that I now accept was part of living with undiagnosed neurodivergence.
And yet, I need to remember that not everyone thinks exactly the same way I do.
What resonates with me is unlikely to be universal. Not even for someone with a similar life story or diagnosis.
And so, a new question has been brewing.
How do we discern the difference between what we say and how it makes someone feel?
I can mostly work this out in relation to how messaging makes me feel. The kinds of words, phrases, and emphasis that give me the “ick”. Hence, this being my starting point.
But what about others?
I think this is an important question for supervisors. Not just in the words we use on our websites and flyers, but also in the room.
How do we actually communicate in a way that allows supervisees to feel safe enough to share?
Unlike some of my other reflections, this one doesn’t have an ending yet.
I don’t have all the answers, and honestly, maybe I never will.
But I’m curious.
What makes you feel safe, included, and able to be your full self in a supervision session?
