Something else you’ll read and hear while on an airplane is probably not, get crisis prevention intervention training online CPI Training Online, “Exit rows are clearly marked.” Why do they do that? Why do they put up those lighted placards to mark the exits? Simple. It’s so you can find how to get off the plane in the event of an emergency. I hear you thinking, okay, that makes sense, but how does it apply to crisis intervention? Good question. I think of it this way: How and when might I be that lighted placard for a coworker, a staff member, or somebody else in trouble? I want to be that beacon of hope, if you will.
Focus on Building Your Strengths:
It’s been said that sixty-five percent of people focus on their weaknesses, and trying to fix them, improving them, and minimize them, versus focusing on their strengths, which has a far greater effect on progress.
It would therefore make sense, that instead of trying to focus on all my weaknesses, (Lord knows I got a bunch of them), I recognize and admit that maybe I’m not the smartest guy in the room, and maybe I don’t have great ability to articulate very complex subjects, and I’m terrible at math. Rather than focus on those things, I try to surround myself with people that possesses those traits as strengths, and I then am able to focus and utilize my strengths, doing the best I can to try and improve on the skills that I am good at. This then results in greater success and progress in the end.
One of my strengths is that I enjoy telling stories and making them quite funny. People have told me often that they enjoy listening when I get excited and animated as well. So, trying to capitalize on those strengths if I’m a storyteller, I’m going to try and use that in that crisis situation. Whereas, if I’m someone that isn’t very good at telling a story, I’m not going to get caught behind the eight ball trying to tell a funny story when nobody thinks of me as funny, or humorous, and then causes more of a problem.
When you think about your crisis team and the people you work with, utilize their strengths. Identify your weaknesses, but increase your ability to move forward by just building upon your strengths. Little by little those weaknesses no longer become weaknesses as they become overshadowed by your strengths and the strength of the team.
I want to be the type of staff member who, when I arrive on the unit–especially during a crisis or when somebody has called for help—my coworkers immediately feel a sense of calm, they feel a sense of relief when they see me walk through the door. I want to be seen as someone who is going to be beneficial, and not harmful during any situation. I don’t want to be seen as someone who is just going to instigate or cause additional problems.
How do I do that? One way is to train myself so I know what I’m doing, and I understand the concepts of crisis intervention. What we need to be cognizant of, at CCG, are the Emotional Response Levels™ (ERLs) and the communication required between staff members. They need to identify what’s going on with this person and the ERL they are at, so I can effectively intervene. Therefore, I have a responsibility to stay current with the material. If I show up on the unit, and you look over at me and say, “Resistance,” and go right back to doing what you’re doing in trying to work with the kid, I can’t be thinking, “Oh, Resistance, umm…what does that mean? I can’t remember what that means. I’m not really sure. I guess maybe they’re being resistant, or maybe the staff is being resistant…” That can’t happen. You need to be current on your terminology, so that you remember it quickly, and so that when you show up, you are helpful and not a hindrance.
Let’s get back to that placard we were discussing at the beginning. When I walk in to a crisis situation, do I want a sign above my head that says, “You shouldn’t have called me,” or do I want a sign that glows with the words, “Help is here. Relax, I can help. I’m going to be of assistance.” Kind of a goofy thought, but the reality is that maybe there is a placard above your head right now. Think about it.
What is your placard saying about you today and how you need CPI Training Online?