Reflect on the process of developing leadership level knowledge, skills, and practices in this competency. What has been especially impactful/meaningful/important to you personally and professionally?
Supervision, itself, encourages self-efficacy, and here is where I felt the most growth in my confidence. I experienced supervision as a systematic educational praxis. Through this distinct professional activity and training, I learned evidence-informed practice through a collaborative and interpersonal process. The professional practices from my program were tailored to enhance my knowledge as I developed technical skills which included gatekeeping, observation, feedback, evaluation, facilitation of supervisee self-assessment, and acquisition of knowledge and skills by instruction, modeling, and mutual problem-solving. Backed by the doctoral standards provided by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling, and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, I have a sense of competence to promote and protect the welfare of the client, the profession, and society at large.

Describe an area of strength that you have developed while in the program in this area of competency. What is one way you plan to utilize this strength in your vocation?
The idea that I do not have time for advocacy activities was a thinking error I held true for years. This program helped to illuminate that fact and demonstrated ways that I can influence others to act in support of ideas, programs, or causes. This process begins with me. Through my foci of hats, consultant, coach, teacher, and counselor, I plan to continue-on mobilizing every supervisee I encounter, to identify a cause meaningful to them both socially and politically. Planting the seed of advocacy in my supervisees is a personal responsibility as a clinical supervisor. In many ways, this is considered a gatekeeping task for me as it promotes professional growth in our field.  As I strive to develop enthusiasm regarding advocacy in my supervisees, I pass on the charge to them, to spark this passion in others, thus ensuring sustainability.

Describe an area of challenge/growth opportunity in this area of competency. What is your plan to develop excellence in this area?
I am fallible; sometimes erroneous. Also, I have received feedback that states that my intention to adhere to core standards, principles, state, and federal guidelines is interpreted as rigid. My desire for accuracy and completeness is sometimes inflexible. I believe supervision is a career-long journey and I plan on continuing the work I have started with my clinical supervisor regarding adopting alternative approaches. I am similarly working to develop tact in this area by striving to understand the data, my supervisee, and their client’s views before making decisions and taking action. Finally, as a supervisor I plan to develop excellence in this area by working through difficult or awkward interpersonal situations, while adhering to policies and guidelines, broaching sensitive issues without severely damaging others.

Reflect on how faith in Christ relates to this competency.
Chronicles 25:6 (NIV) All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres, and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king.

As a servant leader, I strive to be likened to an instrumentalist (instructor) in an orchestra (educational leadership profession). Hence, with my involvement, I contribute to the field’s long-standing progression of developing as “one voice”. My instrument (leadership style) looks and sounds differently but plays the necessary notes (theories and techniques) that add to the collective music (counseling field) to ensure integrity, fidelity, and efficacy. The conductor (CACREP standards, American Counseling Association code of ethics, and Core counseling principles) serves to guide me through to insure harmonic collaboration.