Lowering our Expectations - Emerging Nurse Leader

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Do you become very frustrated when…..

Your leaders don’t demonstrate the transparency in communication that you think is essential to a healthy work environment.
Your staff want to put in their 12 hours and take little interest in certification or continuing their education.
A director you are working with closely on a project is not consistently meeting the deadlines.
Some of the equipment you were promised in a capital budget review is never purchased.
Your HR department is incredibly slow in processing RN applicants.

If you answered yes, then you are not alone. When I ask new nurse leaders about their lessons learned in leadership transition, a common theme is that they learn over time to lower some of their leadership expectations. This is not about lowering patient care standards or not holding staff accountable for professional responsibilities. It is rather a realization that when you are demanding and unrealistic because you have very high standards – you will set yourself up for disappointment and unnecessary grief. You also may alienate others.

Nurses who move into leadership roles are usually high achievers. They also tend to be very responsible and timely. As staff nurses, they are often superstars. In leadership, you quickly learn that not everyone shares your world view. Not everyone views their work in the same way that you do. Some staff are not interested in moving ahead professionally. Others will meet their job expectations but no more. Some staff will never perform with the level of customer service that you would in a situation. You will work for and with some leaders who don’t communicate the way you think they should. Others will not be as timely with their work as you are.

When people don’t meet our expectations, it is easy to become frustrated and cynical. You may spend a great deal of energy ruminating about what others are not doing. Ultimately, this is not productive for you as the leader. Lowering your expectations just a little bit may help you to conserve your energy and be more productive. You will also be happier in the long term.

Read to Lead

Carlson, R. (2014). Don’t sweat the small stuff at work. New York: Hatchett Publishers