People who have worked in ministry for much of their lives often struggle with addressing their finances in a straightforward and honest manner. This is not due to a lack of integrity or honesty in their past work, but rather because they are used to providing services without charging for them. They also may have the Biblically-based philosophy that they should focus on the good of their community rather than financial gain. It can be a difficult transition to begin a business and recognise the necessity of charging an appropriate amount for services. There may even be some guilt for being paid appropriately…

The Christmas season is meant to be one of peace and hope, but that can be difficult for mentors or professional supervisors to find in the midst of our work. So much of what we do revolves around the intense emotions of others, and engaging with our client’s anxiety, anger or depression can be draining. We are constantly reminded of how difficult life can be, and just because it is the season of Jesus’s arrival, life doesn’t stop throwing new challenges at us. In fact, the societal pressures that come with the Christmas season can even add more stress. So, how can we make the holidays peaceful for ourselves and the people around us…

When we make appointments with clients, we are making a promise to them—to arrive on time and prepared.  This shows that we respect their time and, therefore, them….

Sometimes, it feels like the to-do list for a mentor/supervisor is eternal… and in many ways, it is. There will always be another phone call, another appointment to book, another bill to pay, another client to qualify. This can feel overwhelming. However, following through on your commitments when you say you will shows the people you are working with that you are trustworthy and that you value them. Understanding proper task management can help you to feel confident that you have control over your business and turn that sense of anxiety into productivity…

Once again, I want to stress the importance of confidentiality with clients and its limits. Knowing that what is said during sessions will remain between just the two of you will create a sense of safety, allowing the client to be more honest and vulnerable. This will strengthen your relational bond and make the work much more effective…

When we consider the competencies required for mentors and supervisors, the first skills that come to mind are usually things like emotional intelligence or leadership experience. We often overlook the nitty-gritty elements of the job such as administrative skills. Understanding how to organize and manage our business is crucial. These are the gears which move the machine, allowing us to be the mentors and supervisors we want to be. We need these gears to be well-oiled and turning smoothly in order to focus on what really matters; our clients…

What is a conflict of interest?This arises when the mentor/supervisor has multiple interests in a client when they are providing a role that should only focus on the professional interest as a mentor/supervisor. Examples are working with a person you are too close to; a friend, family member, or a person you have a romantic interest in. It can also occur in business relationships; mentoring your direct superior or subordinate could easily result in biased advice to promote your own interest…

Anyone who watches sports knows that it is not one player that wins the game, it is the team. Yes, there are MVPs (Most Valuable Players) but the game wouldn’t be the same without a goalie… without defense… without a coach. This is a good principle to bring into mentoring and professional supervision. We are not competent in every area. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses, our own set of skills and our own experiences to draw from. Even the best mentor or supervisor has limitations…

Legal matters and workplace insurance (liability coverage) are an essential part of our work as mentors and supervisors. Finding liability coverage and maintaining it should take up a very small percentage of our time, and once it is set in place, we shouldn’t have to focus on it very often. All that being said, today, we will briefly touch on why liability coverage is important…