How to: Empowerment / Dis-Empowerment

[Dominic]

I thought I'd post about power and how to 'empower' people and how not to 'dis-empower' people. This is mainly for training volunteers. Anyway, let me know what you think / what your experience has been.

The main trick to 'empowering people' is to focus on not 'dis-empowering people' and work uphill from there. Which mainly involves going over the top to keep decision making the role of the dis-empowered person.

For example, if I was doing a simple referral for crisis accommodation with a homeless person, I would say 'Well, if you want crisis accommodation... what I want to propose is that I call service X and ask them what other services have bed space at the moment for someone your age and gender. Because they are the ones who know about who has what. Do you want me to go ahead with that?' Then they look at me as if I'm stupid and say 'Yes.' Then I get off the phone and then say 'They said there were three places that may be able to help out, the list is service a, service b, service c. Who do you think I should call first?' So the result is the person gets control over what can be controlled... the process. It's about handing information and decision making power over to them, even when there is a quicker way of doing it. You don't want to do it quickly... you want to disown power... if there is a decision = you don't want to make it yourself... you want to hand it to them and say 'this belongs to you... what do you want to do with it?'

That way, you don't take power away from people by making decisions for them and dis-empower them. And in situations where people are suffering from a sense of extreme loss of power, it's best that even the most minute amount of power they have left be placed firmly in their court. That they get to have whatever's left.

I call it 'The Permission Cycle.' The idea being that action can only be taken if the client gives permission for you to go ahead and take an action on their behalf... at each step in the process. It's like reporting to a fascist boss. You can't do anything... even the smallest of things without running it by them first and getting their OK.

A good case study is the last time I gave first aid to someone who presented with wounds from self harming:

Dom can you do some first aid for me here [shows me the wounds].
Sure, if you want I can go ahead and grab the first aid kit now, where do you want to sit while I do it?
Oh, here is fine and that’s cool if you can do it now, I don't want to interrupt you though.
No wucckers... give me a minute and I'll come back over.
[I come back with the first aid kit] Ok, can I take a look?
She holds her arm out.
Is it ok if I touch your hand?
That’s cool.
So I hold her hand with no gloves on... on a part that has no blood on it and gently turn her arm to look at all the spots that need attention.
As I ask... ok... so what ones do you want me to do?
She points to the wounds that she has made with a razor blade and highlights which ones she wants me to do first aid for (there are hundreds, some have healed over time).
So I open the first aid kit in front of her and say 'So what do you think we should use for an anti infection thing... we have this one or that one?'
[she picks]
But then what do I use after that? do you want band aids, or these sticky things that pull the wound together?
[Meanwhile... she is sitting and I'm kneeling at her feet below her (body language)]
She looks at the wounds again... and says 'I think band aids, but what are the other ones for?'
'I think they are to help pull sides of a bigger wound together so it heals better, but for your cuts, maybe we should do them for that big one but band aids for the smaller ones. What do you think?'
That sounds pretty good.
So I say... 'So do you want me to put them on or do you want to do them yourself... you know, get the right amount of tightness on the band aids and all?'
'I'll do it' she says.
'Righto... do you want to do the disinfectant thing first? I could open it up and you could do it? Then I think your supposed to let it dry a bit before you do the band aids. Do you know?'
She says 'Yes, if you pass them to me one by one I'll do it, but I think your right that it needs to dry out a bit first.'
[So she does the disinfectant then we wait a bit.]
'Ok' she says 'Open a band aid and pass it to me and I'll do the first one.'
[Brilliant... she has taken the lead] [She has all the information she needs and can control things from here on in]
Then she tells me one at a time when she wants the next band aid and I don't have to do anything other than follow her directions.
All the wounds she wants treated are done and then I ask 'So is that the ball game?'
'Yep' she says 'Thanks, that worked out nicely, they should go pretty well with that.'
So I pack up the first aid kit up then sit next to her and say 'So what else is news with you?'
Again throwing control of the process back into her court. [Notice she hasn't said she wants to talk about why she self harmed or hasn't said she wants to talk with me beyond the initial ' Dom can you do some first aid for me here?']

Some situations present themselves pretty clearly 'Dude, you need to use the permission cycle!' But generally it's a good ethic (I believe) to try and aspire to in all situations... making sure we don't take power away from people but make sure we can always hand something back to them and say 'this belongs to you... what do you want to do with it?'

I think the sense people get from me when I treat them that way is that I respect them. It's about how they feel... when people are with me I want them to feel powerful and in control. I'd hate to be in a situation where someone felt the opposite. Mainly, the only time that would happen is if they step over a well defined line, like don't fuck with my volunteers. Then the power exchange is different, but while they stay within the defined field of play that is cool... then it's all power to them. The streets are a very extreme and dangerous environment, as much as possible a service provider so long as they have power over the basics of the safety of their own team should IMO endevour to throw as much power back into the court of the people who it rightly belongs to.

[Tammy Muller]

Hey Dominic, My name is Tammy. I have been involved in your forum for a few weeks. I am a Uni student in Mackay QLD. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Social Worker, in part because I have had some of life's unfortunate experiences and would like to do my part to prevent them in society in future. While researching an essay on homelessness I have ventured on to this site/forum and I have to say it and you have changed my life. You are everything I dream of being in the future. In short I have found my Idol! (Now that crap aside), after reading this post today I would like to say I agree. At present I work in a nusing home as an assistant nurse and have done for several years. One of the huge issues I see daily is the disempowerment of our residents. We decide what they eat, what they wear and even what time they will sleep, shower etc. And this is for people who are more than capable of making their own decisions. Why? Because nurses believe we know best! It is so much easier to make these quick decisions for our residents than to allow them the luxury of a few precious minutes to decide for themselves. I personally think the practice is disgusting and completely disempowering! Who are we who have lived less than half their lifetimes to tell them what to do in order to suit our own interests?! I can see that the situation with the people you work with being no different. Who are we to tell anyone how to live, work or behave? I am learning more from this forum than I could have dreamed and I sincerely hope that I will be able to meet you someday. Perhaps when I am more capable you would consider taking me on as a voluteer. Until then, thankyou for the incredible difference you have made to my world and I am sure to so many others.
Your new fan, Tammy.

[Dominic]

Hi, Tammy... thanks for your kind words. They might be justified if I invented this approach but of course I didn't, I'm just describing it. Nurses totally rock, you can achieve a lot and make such a difference in people's lives as a Nurse, and you most certainly don't need to be a Social Worker to effect social or organizational change.

Something else I've heard fairly often about empowerment is the role of information. This fits the Nursing context really well also:

I guess the challenge of meshing empowerment and Nursing is Nurses do most likely know what's best, for who and when because it's a scientific profession and they have the benefit of expert opinion from doctors and OTs and so on informing their actions with each patient. The permission cycle isn't as easily applied to Nursing as there is such an information or knowledge gap between the Nurse and patient. From what I've seen I think it's moreso about sharing information. Patient's are able to participate more in decision making or at the very least be happy with the decisions being made if they understand the information that informs the decision (in non-technical terms) ...that they understand what is going on and they understand why it's going on... and I guess a great fit with that branch of empowering them is the initial branch I started on... whatever decisions can be made by them should be.

There are so many decisions (so much power) an institution like a nursing home can take away from a person, but so many (so much power) you can give back as a nurse. It's more about how you see your role... as:
1. Working for the nursing home, or,
2. Working for the person in front of you (while a member of a team of employees of an institution [that has boundaries, limitations and responsibilities]).

If you side with working for the person, you will give them as much information as to a point they are satisfied and outline the process before it happens including at some or as many points as possible a decision they can make to enhance their power over proceedings.

Social Work is different from Nursing in that our work is mostly not scientific, our opinions on what is best for who and when are of course based on professional judgment and experience, but are moreso personal opinion and not medical best practice.

In the arena of welfare work or Social Work, to trust and truly believe that the person you are working for knows what is best for them and when includes allowing them to make a decision that is theirs to make, with the opinion that they are going to fall flat on their face as a result, and allowing them to do so. That is the hardest part of it. Giving back to them a decision to make that is rightfully theirs and watching them screw their life up more with the choice they make.

I was taught that from the start, but only really understood the wisdom behind it when I came to respect the people I was working for and understand I have a different perspective on any given situation to every other person alive, based on my own unique life journey. I most certainly know what would be right for me next if I was in their position, based on my life influences and experiences, but I've no clue what would be right for them next, even if I knew a lot about their life, I am going to have to defer to them as the expert authority.

It all sounds nice, and helps us maintain people's dignity in the very least... but as I said, I could only really do it with conviction once I got to the point of respecting them as a greater authority on the topic of what's right for them and when.

For me, that was arrived at once I appreciated what they had survived already. Once you know that stuff, really you have no where to go, but the clearly identified rightful owner of a decision.

Standing in awe of a cancer patient is easy, standing in awe of a homeless person is inevitable... if you take the time to get to know them.

Ok, so now you get to hear my nursing home joke:

Grandpa Jack is taken to a nursing home so his kids can tour the institution and decide on it's suitability. They bring him in and sit him down then head off on the tour. After a while he leans to the left, then a nurse props him up again to the upright position. A little later he leans to the right, again the nurse props him up to the upright position. His kids return and say 'This place looks great for you Dad, what do you think?' To which he replies 'This place is nonsense. Take me somewhere they let you fart for fucks sake!'

Hope you liked it... even fits with our discussion

[michaelshatz]

I really like what you are doing here. I was homeless for about 5 years and got out five years ago. I am quite knowledgeable and very open about my past. I am here to help. I am posting a link to my blog which has my story in it.

I do not want to seem like a spammer. Please look at the blog and ignore the ads. I think the information contained can help a lot of people who are going through what I did.

http://micshots.blogspot.com/2009/05/story-of-me.html

[michaelshatz]

I think a lot of programs expect people on the streets to do things that are obviously hard for them. Like getting a job, finding an apartment, paying the bills etc...

For me, getting a state ID proved to be nearly insurmountable!

I think a lot of homeless people just need their "hand held" through each step. Of course this can only work with those who want help, but I suppose those who do not want help are not in these forums...

[Tom.]

but I suppose those who do not want help are not in these forums...

Hi michael, that quote I have taken from your post is not necessarily the case.

Many homeless people log onto these forums without seeking help or assistance as they are often quite content to go about their lives as homeless. We on the forums do not as a rule try to dissuade or pressurise anyone away from that lifestyle.(There are a few exceptions to the rule.) We have always been, and will remain unjudgemental, and accept people for what they are.

[mohayrix]

Thanks, that is a rewind and reminder to me as I am currently available to help those who want it. I am very careful not to use words such as "you got to do...., you should, and you need to. Thanks for your dedication

[findingmyself]

Oh lord, well that is all true. If you read the book "the game" the pick up artist book, its all mental programing tricks. But yeah, it does help to respect people, but what if they don't respect themselfs....

[Dominic]

Originally Posted by findingmyself

Oh lord, well that is all true. If you read the book "the game" the pick up artist book, its all mental programing tricks. But yeah, it does help to respect people, but what if they don't respect themselfs....

If they don't respect themselves... I think it's fine to highlight that fact. But you do it in a way that challenges them to be their authentic self, while respecting they don't need to move forward on your schedule, but on theirs and in their way.

This is exactly what i was looking for. thank you for the informative post and keep up the good work!

[Dominic]

Cheers Alisson, glad you enjoyed the article please contribute to the conversation.

[lisamarietuck]

I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case. Thank you for all the information.

[UnitedWayJohn]

I really think this discussion is a powerful one. It is so important not to take away peoples' right to their own decisions. It's also important as service providers not to boil people down to a list of their needs, or allow them to be the subject of our own outcome goals. Any prior agenda that we bring to the conversation quickly becomes a barrier in really helping the individual heal and move forward. When we approach a conversation with someone in need with a self-prescribed answer to the individual's life, having not known the depth of what that person has been through, we come across as arrogant, and that does a lot of damage to the other person.

With that said, if the person does express certain needs, it is important not to take responsibility for his/her needs, but rather lay out some options and let that person choose what's best. I read in a great book called "boundaries" that we are responsible "to" others, but not responsible "for" them. Meaning we can offer help within our means, but it is not our job to take on the weight of that persons struggles and carry him/her through life.

I like what you said, Dominic, about the permission cycle. It made me realize I haven't considered asking people's permission for every decision to the depth you describe. Especially with the homeless - many of which have at one time lived successful lives - they have all dignity stripped from them on a daily basis. The simple fact that in Detroit, Michigan there are no public restrooms for people who don't have a place to stay to use. I have seen numerous times people having to squat behind a dumpster to relieve themselves while people are passing by that alley. When they enter a shelter, they are patted down and searched, required to have a curfew, and follow a list of rules (which makes complete sense from the organization's standpoint). So as much as we can we need to be feeding them back the power that already belongs to them to navigate through life, and offer help when we can, but also not allow people to leech off of us and become dependent on services. At a certain point we have to go a step further and say "you have the power to look for a job instead of asking me if I've found you a job yet. It nobody else's job to find you a job."


http://twitter.com/unitedwayjohn

[Eternity]

I know that this thread hasn't been added to for a while but I just thought I would add by saying I think this is so, so important... empowerment. This post is great.. you sound like an awesome worker. I have seen a lot of people who think that because they are staff, they are up here whereas the client is down there, if you know what i mean.

I have always worked with the mindset that I am no better than the client, I am just the same except I'm just in a different place in life. That doesn't make me any better or worse... we are all the same biology. We came from the same place and we have just had a different journey through life. I've always thought of case management and welfare work as just ME assisting YOU to do what YOU want to do. YOU specify what goal you want to work towards and I'll do anything in my power to help YOU get there. I'm just facilitating it. I might know some options that you didn't think of, so I can throw them out there and you can decide if you want to do that or not. Conversely, you may know some options that I wouldn't have thought of, so I can note these down in case someone else may need them in the future. I think of it more like teamwork than anything else, really. And at the end I congratulate them because THEY have sorted out their problem, not me.

Unfortunately a lot of people don't work that way. But in a perfect world, that's how we would all be.