Characteristics of Helpers: Strategies for Success and Skills Required

Multiple characteristics of CSWs and helpers enable them to do their jobs effectively and demonstrate the importance of helping others. Some of these characteristics are empathy, compassion, boundary setting, and strong communication.

Figure 4 displays the characteristics of CSWs that help them complete their work successfully. Not only do they help CSWs create a sense of identity, but they are also indicators that CSWs are doing their work based on best-practice principles. These characteristics are the stepping stones to successful community support work.

Other strategies will also help CSWs become successful, including adhering to ethics, participating in professional training, following best-practice principles, managing their time, working as a team, participating in team meetings, and using self-assessment, reflection, and critical thinking to determine their progress. Knowing the impacts of burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, stress, and other conditions can help CSWs to work effectively. Knowing about self-care, self-regulation principles, problem solving, conflict resolution, and coping mechanisms are important. Finally, following policies, ensuring that clients’ rights are acknowledged, and working to their full potential while they take the initiative will make CSWs successful.

Image Credit

Figure 4: The trophy of community support worker characteristics by Janna McCaskill and Leonce Rushubirwa for NorQuest College. Used with permission.