Sitting atop a hill in the tiny town of Cumberland Furnace in Middle Tennessee is the Drouillard House. Surrounding the beautiful house is the campus of an organisation called Onsite. Onsite is an almost legendary organisation in our field. Countless famous therapists and trainers have both cut their teeth here as well as shed their own tears here. It is the de facto landing place for professionals who are struggling as well as being open to people seeking exceptional care around trauma, relationship issues and much more. It is owned and operated by the inspirational leader, Miles Adcox (who also doubled as minister at my wedding).
I could wax lyrical for hours about what this place has done, but the point of this trip was to attend a leadership retreat. I have been attending annually for the past 14 years. The original group has been doing this much longer and includes some of the professionals who have been integral to shaping me professionally. The premise of the retreat was to practise what one preaches. It was also set up to see if competing leaders could compete more compassionately by caring about those they are competing with. I am unsure of the data but am sure this has come to pass.
Working in the behavioural health field can take its toll. For most this is a vocation as much as a job. The hours can be gruelling and mental health does not fall within the office hours perimeters. This week is a chance to process some of this as well as bringing personal difficulties to a group of men (there is also a female group) whom I have come to trust and care for deeply. I have always understood the value of group work, but it is interesting to be part of something which has lasted this long. To find out that the value of the work is as much in the deepening interactional work I do with these men as the work I may be doing on personal issues outside of my fellow participants.
I am very grateful that there is space for us as professionals to fall apart, space for us to expose the most vulnerable parts of ourselves and be held and supported by people who otherwise may take commercial advantage of such a situation. It is affirming to know that where personal connection exists on this level, empathy, care and love trumps gain and profit.
I know that Miles and Onsite have started using the concept in the corporate world to good effect, but how great would it be if we were able to super charge this? How wonderful to compete compassionately. To be able to care for those in one’s own industry and make sure that we separate out the individual from the practice. For any of you out there in a position of leadership, I recommend this as a philosophy and practice.
So hats off to you Onsite. You continue to be able to chip away at this cynical old soul’s armour and demonstrate that goodness, big hearts and mission exists and thrives. Thank you for continuing to demonstrate to me that I have work to do and by doing that work I serve my clients and employees better and most importantly make me a better husband and father.
For more information about Onsite, please click here
