CWHP-A Reflections: Unit WWC00

Critical Reflection – Unit One

As someone who has years of life and business experience, as well as having taken a number of in person and online courses, I am still surprised how much more I learned from this unit.

I have taken the approach of assessment/evaluation/meeting with employees or getting them to do surveys at my “intake” appointments, so this reinforced that I was on the right track. However, the detail and the specifics of this program are going to give me much more to work with and more guidance when I get new clients. I have also learned more about the business side of the equation – the stats in dollars lost and so on, because ultimately you do need to persuade the owners/decision makers that there is a cost savings/profit benefit to having a healthy and mentally well workplace -otherwise they remain skeptical or will not believe in the investment. It is important to stress both parts of the equation.

I am a big believer in story telling and using personal stories and anecdotes to get the message across, as I don’t believe it makes me “weaker” I think it makes me more believable and credible particularly with topics such as mental health and wellness in the workplace. I will continue to do this as I truly do want to help businesses and their teams.

Finally, I think I need to be firmer with my recommendations/timelines/targets to my clients. As a fairly new consultant who is still trying to get some credibility and referrals, I may have been too “gentle” with the owners I had worked with – which has resulted in some employees still feeling unheard and frustrated. I need to make these owners aware that procrastination and empty promises are going to cost them people and money. At the same time, you can’t “make” people change – they must want to change – so I am going to try harder to inspire them. I think this course and the certification I am working toward will give me the confidence to do this.

Theresa Collins-Nelson