This short musing was inspired by Bob Garvey who wrote a paper on the “Cowboys of Coaching” a few years back and it prompted me to consider what might mean in relation to OT.
Having spent the last 10 years working, not only independently, but also in a “new” area of practice and one that is not regulated (coaching), I often wonder if I might be considered a bit of a Cowboy…. Whilst I maintain my HCPC registration (worked hard to get it!) and I am a BAOT member, I often say things that are contentious, a bit whacky, I like to do my own thing ? and quite frankly, I would like to see a massive transformation in our profession in many ways (actually, I think its already underway!). So I understand why I could be perceived as a Cowboy or at the very least, perhaps why I perceive myself to be a bit of one.
Cowboys get a bad press generally. Gun totting and bar dwelling. Often rude, killing natives (Indians), uncontrollable – accountable to no one – unregulated! Think of Cowboy Builders and other TV programmes which have used the term unfavorably…. And professionally, I have heard the term used in many ways. Is this therapist/coach legit? Are they flaky? Are they qualified? Are they accredited? How do I know they are not a Cowboy?
However, we really need to take a fresh look at Cowboys.
Their primary function was to look after animals – making sure that the cattle are safe and healthy. They also helped the cattle get from A to B. This reminds me of our function as therapists and coaches.
Importantly for me, Cowboys worked at the frontiers – pushing out into new territories, finding fresh pastures. They would travel ahead, taking personal risks and making sure that the new territory was safe and fruitful. There are no guarantees. This reminds me of the OTs who are blazing new trails, working in diverse and new areas. They have to leave the safety of the known OT territory – often there is no regular salary/pension!
To do diverse work, using “new” approaches or perhaps weaving together different approaches, or breaking the mould in some other way, requires great courage and we risk being isolated and often doubt our pathways – just like those frontiersmen. Many must wonder what on earth we are doing, why we doing it and where we doing it! But if we stick to the known path, the official line too rigidly, it ain’t gonna happen.
Some do this work quietly and others like me, are a bit loud (!) but we all have a desire to do the best for our clients and for me, for the profession as a whole – there is a whole lot of territory out there for OTs to move into, so let’s be more Cowboy eh? It doesn’t mean we are naughty, unreliable or dangerous ?
3 comments
Yes, Jen!
I have recently rejoined the profession after many years away and am absolutely thrilled to be back . My updating and subsequent job was with a small local charity working incomplete isolation. Not only were there no other OTs, there were no other health professionals at all.
Whilst I loved the challenge and creativity of the post and the fact that I was essentially starting a new service from scratch, I soon realised that I NEED a team around me. A team of people who talk the same language and understand without it even being said. I am a much better OT when I work and communicate with others. Even in an isolated post such as mine, connecting and communicating with other OTs is essential.
I guess what I’m saying is that, to extend your “cowboy” analogy a little further, as OTs we must push into new frontiers to meet the needs of the people who we serve, but one of the first rules of survival is that you’re safer and stronger together.
I totally identify with the cowboy and trail blazer mindset. I also agree that the ‘together we are better’ component is vital too. Throughout my career I have regularly drifted far from my OT home base either in job or in heart. With my sites set on a private coaching and consulting practice, I am rediscovering how much my OT roots inform who I am, how I think, and what I do and offer to my clients and team. I am inspired to be venturing into this realm and discovering so many other cool and forward thinking OTs doing the same! “We are the change we wish to see in our profession” comes to mind! Thanks for posting!
Hi Jen
I like your thinking and it is interesting timing for me. I am currently part of The Bluestocking club which I joined partly as a way of getting me to try knitting socks but also I was fascinated with the basic premise of the club to introduce members to the Bluestockings. These 18th century women who were fortunate to have parents who believed in equal education for girls and boys challenged the status quo by writing, translating and commenting on historical and issues of their time. They were independent women, many of whom refused to get married as this would have affected their ability to do what they wanted to do. Like the term cowboy bluestocking can also be seen as negative. It seems to me that, as part of our role is as change agents for our clients, we should also be this for our profession. Change takes time and the Bluestockings certainly didn’t see the changes for women that they wanted in their time but they did lay the foundations.