By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Today’s chaotic healthcare environment often requires that nurse leaders step up and act aggressively to lead change and meet metrics. It is so easy to forget the human side. I was reminded of this recently as a colleague described a rather difficult situation she was confronting. One of her colleagues had urged her to show more grace. She wasn’t quite sure what this comment meant or even how to show grace in her leadership role.
Merriam-Webster describes graciousness as being marked by kindness and courtesy, tact and delicacy, all very polite in a way that shows respect and generosity of spirit. When a leader acts with grace, they navigate the situations of life with ease and flexibility. The actions of a graceful leader are not determined by the circumstances they face, but by the investments, they have made in themselves and in growth. Graciousness is characterized by maturity, class, compassion, integrity, respect and consistency.
I like the work on Kevin Baum who wrote about grace in leadership for Inc. Magazine. Some of his suggestions included the following:
- Be disciplined but show humanity – Serious, focused discipline is what gets most jobs done efficiently and effectively. But not everyone can go nonstop like a robot. Let people be people. They need to relax and recharge. Show them you can have fun as well.
- Be confident but show empathy – As you lead through change, remember that not everyone sees it your way or can travel at your pace. See the road from their perspective and help them find the path.
- Be direct but show consideration – You’re successful because you know how to drive your own success. But people need to follow because they believe, and simply telling them your way is the right way is not always enough for them to buy-in. Lead by example.
- Be a listener and show consideration – Thoughtful listening is important even when the viewpoints expressed are included in the final decision. Sometimes the answer is still no. But artful leaders are capable of making followers feel appreciated for simply having the opportunity to share their point of view.
- Be generous and show gratitude – Nurse leaders are expected to give of themselves constantly. They know that the more they give, the more success the team will achieve, and often they do so selflessly. But followers give as well. To feel worthwhile the team needs to know the leader appreciates how the team has gone above and beyond. A grateful leader has a loyal following.
- Know when to lead and when to follow – the most gracious and powerful leaders are the ones who understand when to step back as a follower and let the most appropriate person lead.
We all have the capability to lead with grace. It is developed by reflecting on our experiences and using them to become a better person. It is what David Brooks described as turning the awareness of your own frailty into sympathy for others’ frailty. Life cannot always be viewed as a battlefield. Parting of showing grace is knowing when to release control.
Read to Lead
Daum, K. (nd Inc Magazine Blog) Be a more gracious leader: 12 ways.
© emergingrnleader.com 2019
Read Rose Sherman’s new book – The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave
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