Leadership Thoughts

Hello All,

I have been thinking a lot about leadership over these last few weeks. This terrible war has tested leaders all across the world. President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Ukraine has impressed me. I am thankful that the leaders of the democratic countries have stood together in ways we have not seen in years. The leaders in our own country have stood united – at least for the time being. Guess it is true that nothing unites more than a common enemy.

This made me think about what makes a great leader. How do great leaders pull it together, unite their country (or their organization/unit/department), and make a difference? What attributes did/do I admire in the people who I have considered mentors? What rings true to me, what makes a difference are remaining calm, communicating frequently and accurately, being visible, and compassion.

What I learned early in my career and from my first wonderful nurse mentor is that the leader being calm is important to and for everyone. Her first words in my first code blue ever – “Take a deep breath. Take your own pulse. Be calm so you can think and act – and so that those in here with you can too.” I can’t tell you how many times over my entire career that I have said that to myself. (And with all of those deep breaths, I should have great lung capacity!) I learned early on that if I got spun up in the middle of situation, so did everyone else. As a leader, your responsibility is to create calm out of the chaos, to expend energy in such a way that helps others move forward and stay focused.

Accurate and honest communication is and has to be the backbone. Communication is about transferring information – verbal, non-verbal, and written. People can deal with both good and bad news if they understand the who, what, when, where, and why. It helps build trust. It is the foundation for relationships, personally and professionally. And it also means listening! Communication needs to go two ways. It is important that leaders listen to what concerns and issues are so they can be addressed. And it can’t be done just once. Communication is on-going. Communication is up, down, and sideways. Communication is mindful. Communication is also trust – and should never be treated lightly.

Visibility cannot be underestimated. Leading from the ivory tower just doesn’t cut it. President Zelensky excels at this. He has remained in his capital and is proud to do so. He has been seen in his office, in the streets, literally in the trenches, in the hospital – he is making sure that his people know he is there for them and his country. Visibility is not just walking around saying “hi”. It is about demonstrating and living the values of the country. It is about lending a hand or a shoulder. It is about being present. It is about connecting to others so that they know they are significant and belong. Visibility is also courage.

Compassion is core. I love this quote from Joanne Trotta – “Compassionate leadership recognizes that every team member is not only a significant individual but also the essential thread in the fabric of an entire organization.” Compassion is kindness. It is thoughtfulness and being aware of what other’s lives and experiences are like. It is recognizing and respecting what qualities and strengths each and every person brings. It is removing barriers. It is hope. Compassion is also contagious!

Just my thoughts. I pray that our leaders have the strength, wisdom, courage and compassion to do the right things.

I continue to pray for peace.

Phyl