A Question of Relating
Photograph by calca
In my Friday 10 Questions, I often ask for personal experiences. I believe these offer a richer dynamic to the interview because it shows a personal side to the interviewee. Perhaps those of us reading the interviews can connect with those words (or disconnect as the case may be). Now I understand that there are some people out there who feel this compromises their privacy (or their client’s privacy).
This makes me aware of one thing, I need to disclose something more to you. I keep my business site and such very separate from this particular blog. The client stories I tell on it, though true, consist of a few detail changes to keep the client identities private. I have actually had clients read about themselves and not quite recognize their description. So, for those of you who are concerned with my client’s privacy, please know I would never compromise them.
But the feelings and such that I share with you are very real. I often find myself, especially when revealing the more personal matters in my life, wanting to keep them closed off from the persona you see. But, I believe that it is important to shed a light on my career and how I live life as a hypnotist. Some can relate, some learn, and some will walk away shaking their head. That is all okay. Transparency.
I once took a course in counseling and my professor felt that by sharing some relivant personal stories with clients, this was an exceptional way to help the client relate and be more open to sharing their true thoughts. It is also another way to give advice without lecturing or putting someone on the defense. I have embraced this.
But my question to you today is: when dealing with a professional, do you want to relate to them and possibly connect or is there another experience that helps you more? If so, what is it?
April 5th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
No, I want a professional to remain professional, no matter what the discipline. I don’t need my lawyer or my accountant to relate their own legal or bookkeeping adventures or mishaps. In a counseling situation, I’m afraid it’s all about ME, if the counselor or therapist wants to discuss their personal experience then they should go to their own counselor or therapist. How you resolve your problems is YOUR path, how I resolve my problems is mine. They shouldn’t cross. The only thing I want to know about a professional is their credentials and depending upon the discipline, references.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Hi,
I just wanted to say I really enjoyed answering the 10 questions when I did it recently… It was good to be questioned and reflect on how I work.
It is perhaps vital though to remember that answering 10 questions is, as far as I am aware, totally voluntary, so if anyone feels that the questions are intrusive, or dumb, or could reflect badly upon their work then surely the answer is to not answer the questions!
I have learned so much from reading the 10 questions of others and feel as though I have met some amazing people all over the world.
The 10 questions are a great way of sharing what works and giving advice and I would hope that all of us working in whatever professional capacity are capable of maintaining client confidentiality whilst sharing good practice… Perhaps consider that many of our great books would never have been written if we had not been able to talk about ‘fabulous’ techniques and protocols… And talking of case histories… How many did Milton Erickson use?
So do keep on sharing!
Kate.