Leadership

Prior to reviewing the lecture notes I expected to learn that leaders are much more than managers. That it takes skill to manage people, but even more talent and skill to really lead them. I expected that we would focus more on character traits like the ability to motivate others, rather than simply mundane how-to's of paperwork and organization, etc.

There were a few things that stuck out to me from the lecture. First, the decision making model was very interesting to me. I have usually thought about improvement as identifying the problems and fixing them. But to take a step back and first look at what the overall goal should be I think would really help to improve an organization. By first recognizing what the objectives are, problems can be more easily identified and prioritized when making a plan for improvement.

I also appreciate the thought of learning to use the tools we've been given rather than knowing all the information. Being able to figure things out through experience and basic knowledge as well as utilizing resources is a great skill to have. A nurse who memorized all their textbooks may not be as effective as someone who knows how to critically think. I appreciated that.

Another thing I learned was that some people accept and promote "nursing expertise, and the values and preferences of individuals, families and communities who are served" along with evidence-based practice. I have felt at times that relying solely on the scientific studies do individuals a disservice in many instances. I liked thinking of evidence-based practice in the context of both the literature and personal values and expertise.

Lastly, I was reminded that good leaders do not have to be in official jobs in order to make a difference. I loved the point that leaders can sometimes be very "pesky" to managers. I appreciated this a lot because I have worked for a lot of really bad managers! Sometimes it is the responsibility of those underneath the manager to take on that leadership role and make important changes that the manager may ignore.

I think this information will empower me to trust myself more. If I want to be a leader wherever I work, I know that I should be goal oriented, innovative, and trusting of my own expertise. Some of these things I have wondered if they were ok for me to do or think. Now I can say that I learned that it was ok from nursing school!

Personally I thought the information was very interesting. Like I said before, I have been subject to a lot of really bad managers (not necessarily my most recent manager...). I think that there were ways that I could have helped improve some things if I were a good leader and helped motivate people, instead of sulking and complaining at home or taking things personally. I think my takeaway is that I have control and that being positive and helpful rather than negative and argumentative will help me make a difference.