How can I help you?
That’s been a big question since I began to publicly share my work.
And one that I haven’t had a great answer to (for more reasons than I’m probably willing to unpack on this platform), until now…
When you ask “How can I help you?” we're making the assumption you believe in:
👉 The purpose of this work.
(I believe I've mentioned the mountains of data we have supporting the need here, yes?! -- that is sarcasm, folks.)
AND
👉 The one doing it.
(c'est moi — and y’all, as the forever middle child, I will never get over that 💛 !).
And while I could dance through the nuances and layers in answering this question, I think I finally have what it all boils down to...
So, how can you help me?
STEWARDSHIP > GATEKEEPING
Stewardship: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. -- you have access to the awareness of the problem, one who can help & the decision maker... and you move on it.
Gatekeeping: the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something. -- you have access to the awareness of the problem, one who can help & the decision maker... and you create barriers (dismissing the need, evoking credentialism, etc).
How did I do?!