How can peer support providers effectively manage conflicts related to power and privilege?

1 Acknowledge your own positionality

As a peer support provider, you have a unique perspective and insight that can benefit others, but you also have your own biases, assumptions, and blind spots that can affect how you relate to others. It is important to acknowledge your own positionality, which means the social and historical factors that shape your identity, experiences, and worldview. For example, how does your race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, or culture influence how you see yourself and others? How does it affect your access to resources, opportunities, and power? How does it shape your expectations, values, and norms? By being aware of your own positionality, you can recognize how it may create advantages or disadvantages for you and others, and how it may impact your communication, behavior, and relationships.

2 Learn about the positionality of others

As a peer support provider, you also need to learn about the positionality of others, which means the social and historical factors that shape their identity, experiences, and worldview. For example, how does their race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, or culture influence how they see themselves and others? How does it affect their access to resources, opportunities, and power? How does it shape their expectations, values, and norms? By learning about the positionality of others, you can understand how they may perceive and experience the world differently from you, and how they may have different needs, preferences, and goals. You can also appreciate their strengths, resilience, and contributions, and avoid making assumptions, judgments, or stereotypes based on your own positionality.

3 Communicate with respect and empathy

As a peer support provider, you also need to communicate with respect and empathy, which means showing regard and consideration for others, and trying to understand their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. For example, how do you listen to others? Do you pay attention, ask questions, reflect back, and validate their emotions? How do you express yourself? Do you use respectful language, tone, and body language? Do you share your own feelings, thoughts, and perspectives without imposing them on others? Do you acknowledge and apologize for any mistakes or misunderstandings? By communicating with respect and empathy, you can build trust, rapport, and connection with others, and avoid or resolve conflicts more effectively.

4 Address conflicts constructively

As a peer support provider, you also need to address conflicts constructively, which means using positive and proactive strategies to deal with disagreements or disputes. For example, how do you approach conflicts? Do you avoid, escalate, or confront them? Do you seek to understand the root causes, the impact, and the possible solutions? Do you respect the boundaries, rights, and responsibilities of yourself and others? Do you collaborate, compromise, or negotiate to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome? Do you follow up, monitor, and evaluate the resolution? By addressing conflicts constructively, you can prevent or minimize harm, foster learning and growth, and strengthen relationships.

5 Seek feedback and support

As a peer support provider, you also need to seek feedback and support, which means asking for and receiving input and assistance from others to improve your practice and well-being. For example, how do you seek feedback? Do you ask for and accept constructive criticism, suggestions, or compliments from your peers, supervisors, or mentors? Do you use feedback to reflect, learn, and change? How do you seek support? Do you reach out to and rely on your peers, supervisors, or mentors when you face challenges, stress, or burnout? Do you use support to cope, heal, and recover? By seeking feedback and support, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence, and maintain your health and balance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?