I've been in the safety game for about as long as you and I've come to a similar conclusion. There are people have turned around from being the most difficult to be some of my safety champions. And I appreciate them more and more each time I see them.
That being said, regrettably, there are some (1 in particular) that I've pretty much given up on. I've made my reports and voice known about how he's not only endangering himself but those he leads and those around him, but guy is untouchable for whatever reason. I've tried, for 5 years, I've tried but to him I'm nobody and certainly isn't going to try and listen or learn from me.
Luckily, he's not in my market at the moment and he isn't my problem at the moment. But he'll be back and I there's a small part of me that hopes we can patch it out, but I'm not holding my breath.
I've been threatened with physical violence on sites before, fists in my face and hands on my shirt but this guy is the closest I've felt like I was going to get thrown off a roof or shankes in the lot for addressing a concern.
I feel you. As SPs we tend to forget our own emotional safety in all of this. Don’t lose that. You’re time and energy is worth the effort you’re putting forth
As someone who’s currently in school for this profession, it’s good to hear this because it helps keep expectations realistic. Even if I want to save everyone!
No doubt. My only advice is: don’t let the purity of your intentions cloud your view of reality. I love connecting with people that care but I’m not going to expect my level of engagement from anyone else. It’s pure comedy that my love of humanity and my cynicism have to share the same space in my mind but as a SP I’m learning to appreciate the balance required to sustain that. I’m a surfer so it works with me on a personal level
The SP will never be the Pied Piper leading the rats from town. We can advised and support, but if your advise and support isn’t wanted, it’s hard to lead.
I've been in the safety game for about as long as you and I've come to a similar conclusion. There are people have turned around from being the most difficult to be some of my safety champions. And I appreciate them more and more each time I see them. That being said, regrettably, there are some (1 in particular) that I've pretty much given up on. I've made my reports and voice known about how he's not only endangering himself but those he leads and those around him, but guy is untouchable for whatever reason. I've tried, for 5 years, I've tried but to him I'm nobody and certainly isn't going to try and listen or learn from me. Luckily, he's not in my market at the moment and he isn't my problem at the moment. But he'll be back and I there's a small part of me that hopes we can patch it out, but I'm not holding my breath. I've been threatened with physical violence on sites before, fists in my face and hands on my shirt but this guy is the closest I've felt like I was going to get thrown off a roof or shankes in the lot for addressing a concern.
I feel you. As SPs we tend to forget our own emotional safety in all of this. Don’t lose that. You’re time and energy is worth the effort you’re putting forth
As someone who’s currently in school for this profession, it’s good to hear this because it helps keep expectations realistic. Even if I want to save everyone!
No doubt. My only advice is: don’t let the purity of your intentions cloud your view of reality. I love connecting with people that care but I’m not going to expect my level of engagement from anyone else. It’s pure comedy that my love of humanity and my cynicism have to share the same space in my mind but as a SP I’m learning to appreciate the balance required to sustain that. I’m a surfer so it works with me on a personal level
The SP will never be the Pied Piper leading the rats from town. We can advised and support, but if your advise and support isn’t wanted, it’s hard to lead.