What I Know for Sure About Leadership

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

We are in turbulent times in healthcare. Planning can be challenging. As one of my nurse leader colleagues recently told me – it is like putting together a puzzle without all the pieces in place. Nurses look to their leaders more than ever to help them to frame what sometimes appears to be the chaos of change. It is more important than ever that nurses practice Caring-Based Nursing Leadership.

When I asked my former dean – Dr. Anne Boykin, a caring theorist what that meant in her eyes – she defined it this way. “Caring-based nursing leadership is a commitment by nurse leaders to use caring to guide all decisions that he or she makes with the intention to create, maintain and sustain environments where nurses can truly nurse. In these environments, nurses feel nurtured and are able to respond to the calls for nursing in their unique way. To do this, nurse leaders must be grounded in caring values and directly connected to the stories of nurses at the bedside.” It seems that this commitment is important in today’s environment.

Not everything that I once believed about leadership is still true today. Times change and the context of leadership changes with it. But there are some things that will always be true about leadership – here are 10 things that I know for sure.

Leadership is ultimately about influence – if you are unable to influence those who follow you – you will not be effective even if you are in a leadership role.
Leaders need to walk their talk – nurses will watch how you behave and it is so much more powerful than what you say. This can be uncomfortable but it is true.
Leaders must be willing to challenge their own assumptions – and be prepared to sometimes be wrong. Especially in the current environment.
Leaders need to actively listen and communicate – all the time and in many different ways (emails, texts, on paper, in conversation). And to say things repeatedly because often messages are not heard the first time.
Leaders need to keep the bigger picture in mind – short term thinking does not lead to long-term accomplishments.
Leaders need to watch the signposts of change – as an example – driverless cars could rock the healthcare world.
Leaders should be coaches first and foremost – our staff needs and wants this feedback and coaching from supportive leaders.
Leaders need to give people second chances – it can be a very powerful impetus to help a staff member change their behavior.
Leaders need to recognize when something is not working – and not struggle to hold onto a sacred cow.
Leaders need to be willing to admit their own mistakes openly – it sends a powerful message and builds trust.

One of the most powerful leadership behaviors is the ability to reflect on one’s work. Understanding our own values and what we know for sure is important to ground our leadership practice and keep us centered.