Question

Compare and contrast the six leadership strengths for the future (Box 30-1). Discuss your strengths and how they match these leadership strengths. Explore a potential plan to enhance areas that you identify as weak.

Answer 1

• Ethical political savvy: knowing how to effect change and use resources from an ethical, altruistic perspective. Being a nurse leader you should always think about the outcomes for every action you make . Sometimes your actions end up for good and leastly consequences occur. Always follow moral values as your actions may cause positive & negative effects to others .Be consistent and don't act selfish which is a true leadership strength .
• Authenticity and accountability: being committed to the group rather than self, which leads to credibility; being open in decisions. A leader should always be accountable for his actions . So always he should act after thinking whether the action should be carried or not. Genuineness in the plans and efforts is a unique quality of leaders which helps in accepting even criticisms.
• Politics of commonalities: ensuring an environment that allows as many stakeholders as possible to achieve at least a part of their respective agendas.Nurse leaders should always embrace positive opportunities from fellow leaders to improve the situations. Always work as a team and engage them in planning towards quality care and safety .
• Thinking long-term, acting short-term:committing to what is best for the future and acting in the present to move toward that goal, including developing the future leadership to succeed current leaders. A good leader should think about the expected outcomes before proceeding a plan . So usually a rough plan should be made and consequences should be discussed within team , which may be effective because all team members are involved Involvement of team members will improve their confidence, and also a step to recognise the leadership qualities within them
• Leadership through expectation:encouraging others through expectations rather than through micromanagement. Giving space for the team helps in motivating themselves towards new ideas production. Don't always provide negative feedbacks to the members of the team. Wait and analyse their actions for a certain period and provide then guidelines to improve their abilities which is a leadership perspective.
• Quest for meaning: leaving a legacy through guiding others . The leadership vskills take years to cherish . Critical thinking skills will be necessary for a leader to succeed in the roblems he face. Improvement of his skills is a long time process . Leaders even though succeeded in formulating plans for patients for many long years can commit mistakes any time. So always keep learning and improve your skills. Updating knowledge will help a leader in moulding up his successors.

From Lipman-Blumen, J. (2000). The age of connective leadership. Leader to Leader, 17(Summer), 39-45.(Thriving for the Future by PatriciaS. Yoder-Wise).