Reciprocity

Reciprocity is about finding a connection with each rangatahi. It can mean sharing activities to make the relationship feel more relatable.

This might include sharing knowledge and ideas as well as sharing kai. We share intentionally and are clear about why we do this.

We are careful not to overshare and use supervision and coaching to guide self-disclosure.  Rangatahi have a right to their own journey of learning, change and growth.

 

Thanks to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for funding the research that created these resources (MAUX2006).

This work by J. Sanders, R. Munford, J. Webster, J. Mercier, D. Abbott & L. Liebenberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Kaimahi who use reciprocity:

  • Make a human connection in a professional way by everyday acts of kindness,
  • Use self-disclosure carefully and only to help rangatahi reflect on their own experiences,
  • Remember the relationship exists to support rangatahi and that their experiences may be different,
  • Give their time, support, skills and knowledge without expecting anything from rangatahi,
  • Know their professional responsibilities.

 

 

To explore this element in more depth, go to the PARTH in practice reflection sheet.

"Reciprocity" orientated rangatahi voices

All Reciprocity voices

Seini shares a moment that reflects what trust, hope and reciprocity look like in action.

Kaimahi stories have come from the youthsay partners. Te Aroha Noa Community Services, INNOV8, Dingwall Launch Programme, VIBE, Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services (TYMS), Reconnect Family Services, Kapiti Youth Support (KYS) and other kaimahi shared these stories from their mahi. They have been anonymised to protect identities. A big thank you to the organisations and kaimahi who have generously shared their wisdom and experience.

I have had rangatahi that ask me: ‘have you ever felt like this before?’ To kind of get reassurance that they are not losing the plot, or losing themselves through whatever they are going through.

I just think that there is something really special about that, them asking for a view from us because that solidifies that idea about relationships and trust and what that looks like in action or practice.

That ability to ask those questions and to get a sense of what hope might look like for us as well.

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Gina's story is about reciprocity through empathy when mistakes are made.

Kaimahi stories have come from the youthsay partners. Te Aroha Noa Community Services, INNOV8, Dingwall Launch Programme, VIBE, Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services (TYMS), Reconnect Family Services, Kapiti Youth Support (KYS) and other kaimahi shared these stories from their mahi. They have been anonymised to protect identities. A big thank you to the organisations and kaimahi who have generously shared their wisdom and experience.

For me sharing is about letting the rangatahi know that I am human as well. That we all make mistakes and we are not perfect.

Regardless of the position that we are in we have made mistakes along the way. It’s not necessarily sharing those specific mistakes or situations, it’s having the skill and ability to show empathy when a mistake is made.

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Reciprocity indicators

You know you are using Recoprocity when you:

  • Take time to understand where the rangatahi is coming from before you share anything of yourself and understand you and the rangatahi may have very different lifestyles.
  • Listen first, rather than problem solving. Don’t take over the space. Are humble in what you share and mindful of what you say. Make sure it is useful for the rangatahi.
  • Get involved in activities and tasks with rangatahi, for example, even if you’ve had breakfast, eat breakfast with the rangatahi. It role models behaviour and makes it feel like a normal interaction. Where possible managers should get involved in everyday activities too.
  • Are in the moment with the rangatahi.
  • Get to know rangatahi interests and then do some of those activities with them.

 

Reciprocity reflection cards

This work by J. Sanders, R. Munford, J. Webster, J. Mercier, D. Abbott & L. Liebenberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 
This site was created as part of a research programme (MAUX2006) funded by MBIE. We thank them for their support.

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