On the surface, the role of counselling in our lives seems arbitrary – much less in business. However, when one delves into the study of how counselling can improve our lives and perception, the topic has merit.
I must admit to being sceptical when considering the effectiveness of proper counselling. Despite this, I do see the logic in using it and the results it has on others. I’ve never been to a formal counsellor before. I’ve always assumed that I would be able to handle any mental hurdle that comes my way due to my ability in problem solving and because of my abundant self-confidence. During the seminar that Dr. Rice Fuller gave on Work-Life Balance, I was surprised by one piece of information that I learned.
I posed a question to Dr. Fuller asking his opinion on whether or not we should be more concerned with identifying problems and subsequently trying to solve them ourselves with little formality or if we should follow through on the status quo, which is to identify problems and then use established frameworks in an effort to derail them. He responded by stating that, in his profession, he has seen far more effectiveness using the existing methods than a more roundabout method. Having seen the results of counselling in people I know and others more anonymously, I am inclined to agree with him based on that empirical evidence. In reality, I was trying to steer the topic to some sort of new perception because we had discussed many similar topics until that point in the lecture. I wanted to throw in something completely alien to the concept and challenge the established notions. I was interested in the accountability of his stance and seeing if there were places that it could be broken down. Eventually he did yield on a point and agreed that many people will be able to identify their own problems and correct them themselves. However, he provided me with a counter-example that would play the role as an exception to this rule. He asked how we were supposed to handle outside factors that are not in our circle of control but had affected us nonetheless. As soon as he posed the question it was like a light bulb went off in my brain. I’m used to thinking inwardly and introspectively so it wasn’t natural for me to assume that outside factors could have a major influence on one’s state of mind. The example I had used is that, if I was getting stressed out studying, that I would eventually learn to take breaks and do something fun, thus increasing my own productivity in the long-run. However, if something had happened that was outside of my control such as someone dying or the actions of another person, it may not be that such a black and white response is applicable. I think that situation is the time when a counsellor comes into play. Simply put: they’re there to help with the problems in your life that you cannot solve yourself.
The topic hits home with me in a big way. In 2007, one of my closest friends from childhood died in a boating accident. The experience left me raw and more than likely depressed for a long time. I didn’t seek out counselling but I did talk to a lot of people about how I was feeling and why and eventually managed to make some peace with the event. Granted, it’s no cure, sometimes I do feel distinct sadness when remembering the event but I find I am now able to remember the good things about him instead of letting all the bad cloud my mind. If someone argued that I should have went to see a counsellor, they probably would’ve been right. But I was stubborn and knew I could deal with it in my own way. This was the exact type of situation that a counsellor would be most effective in and, had I gone to see one, I might have “gotten over it” much more quickly.
This can all relate to business and my MBA program as well. Knowing how to handle personal issues both from my own experience and from my knowledge of the counselling options available gives me an unique skill as a manager. If someone under my supervision is plagued by personal troubles I will be able to more effectively aid them in restoring their mental health and thus restoring their productivity.
Being in good mental health is something that can aid in my own productivity as well. If I am able to manage my time effectively by doing such things as taking time to think about an important decision, taking the proper amount and types of breaks and vacations, or even just knowing that I can say “no” to something that I find unreasonable in the workplace then I will be more valuable to my employers. It’s important to know that you are an asset to your company, that you are valuable, and that you are respected as a person. All of these skills correlate in that sense. They are additive and have the capacity to improve and remain over long periods of time.
Although I already had a fine working knowledge of counselling and the role it can provide in one’s Work-Life Balance, I am glad that I attended the seminar as it did cast a few topics in somewhat of a brighter light to me. The seminar made me realize that I often neglect the role of counselling in events that we have no control over. A re-hashing of essential skills needed to be successful in time management and life reminded me how valuable I am as a person and of the worth I would have to prospective employers. The skills will make me a better manager someday and hopefully a better person as well.
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