By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
How do you coach the cave dwellers on your unit? I was asked this question on a recent webinar. The term cave dweller was new to me, but I quickly learned that it describes staff who are Consistently Against Virtually Everything. It made me smile because I can remember leading some staff members who would fall into this category. Any discussion of change (no matter how large or small, good or bad) resulted in a knee-jerk reaction of negativity. What I learned in coaching these nurses was that it had almost become a habit to react negatively often without hearing all of the rationales.
Part of the leadership challenge with CAVE dwellers is helping these staff move from a “fixed mindset” to a “growth mindset.” Dr. Carol Dweck, a researcher, and professor at Stanford University, has been a pioneer in studying how transformative a growth mindset can be for individuals and overall well-being. A mindset, according to Dweck, is a self-perception or “self-theory” that people hold about themselves. Mindsets can either be growth-oriented or fixed.
In a growth mindset, people believe that their skills and abilities develop through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. In contrast, when the staff has a fixed mindset, they may believe that they can no longer grow professionally. They are less willing to adopt new changes or open themselves to new experiences because they could be threatening.
When you have a growth mindset, you believe that you can navigate changes in the environment. Even if you initially fail, you’ll figure out what went wrong and work on making sure it doesn’t happen next time. You don’t write yourself off and are willing to step outside your comfort zone.
Nurse leader coaches can be instrumental in helping staff move from a fixed to a growth mindset. Fixed mindsets often evolve when staff are insecure or have had failures in their experience. They may not see that if they stay in a negative place, they might ultimately derail. Using an SBI feedback coaching strategy, I once coached Cathy (a classic CAVE dweller in a leadership role) on her reaction to a new educational requirement for managers. Our conversation went like this:
Situation: Today, at the leadership meeting, I discussed the new policy that nurse managers would be required to obtain a BSN within five years.
Behavior: I observed an angry reaction, and you commented about what a waste of time getting a BSN would be for any nurse.
Impact: I was disappointed with that response because you have excellent career potential, which you will not achieve if you resist continuing your education.
Way Forward: I would like us to begin a discussion of how we can continue your professional growth to achieve your goals.
Change won’t happen overnight, but with some prodding and coaching, even the most diehard CAVE dweller can change. Cathy is a great example. She did go back for her BSN and then went on for her masters. Ultimately, she admitted, “you don’t know what you don’t know – until you do.”
Read to Lead
Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Penguin Publishers.
Don’t let nurse leaders in your organization go without development in 2020. Virtual programs include Nurse Leader Coaching, Coaching Staff to Promote Resilience and Leading Teams in Turbulent Times, or schedule your customized Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership Virtual Workshop taught by experts for either new or experienced leaders. Nuts and Bolts Flyer
Read Rose Sherman’s book available now – The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave
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