Great Nurse = Great Leader???

This is my favorite soapbox - I've been involved in leadership development for ~ 30 years. I had a wonderful mentor (HR Guru) who summed it all up for me "Accomplishments should be recognized; Ability should be promoted". Two completely different things. Of course, both dimensions can occur naturally in the same people - we all know strong clinicians who are also natural leaders. But this should never be a general assumption applied to everyone.Nurses are smart people. They can learn just about anything, including the leadership skills/knowledge. But, as illustrated by OP's situation, there are some personality traits that are essential for various levels of leadership. Conflict management is a core skill at all levels. One of the big problems in nursing is that career advancement is usually limited to 'administrative/leadership' pathways. So our great clinicians sometimes feel pressured to move into those roles even if it doesn't suit their personalities. Another issue? The people who make promotion decisions (non-nurses) frequently choose the candidate that looks most like themselves. Nuff said.

I have a problem with the "golden rule" and prefer a "platinum rule" that I read somewhere a few years ago.Instead of treating people the way I want to be treated, I should treat them the way THEY want to be treated. It's wrong to assume that everyone has the same preferences that I have. I try to find out how THEY want to be treated and respect THEIR preferences when reasonable to do so.For example: Some people want their supervisors to check up on them regularly, offer lots of input into their daily work, etc. If you are such a person, that's fine -- but it is wrong to assume that everyone wants that much daily input from their supervisor. Some people would absolutely hate that. Think of the TV show fitness coach, "The Biggest Loser." She yells at the contestants in a very abrasive manner -- some people love that approach and other people hate it. The best leaders know how to use multiple approaches and can tailor their approach to the individual situation. They don't make the mistake of assuming everyone has the same preferences.As for the concept of "servant leadership," -- it has its place. We should try to serve the needs of the people we supervise. But we also need to know how, when, and where to set boundaries. The supervisor should not feel compelled to cater to every whim, but rather be able to help them feel supported while also keeping an eye on meeting the needs of the patients, employer, and society in general. Sometimes needs and preferences conflict with each other and a leader needs to find the right balance -- and that balance does not always match the preferences of the employees.I agree with the basic idea that too many nurses are promoted into leadership positions without being given the education and support they need to be successful. But I believe that leadership is much more complex than the simple platitudes suggested by the OP.

llg,I guess that my worldview got in the way of your understanding. Treating people how you would like to be treated is simply this: showing respect, kindness, love and compassion to other humans. That is grounded in Imago Dei, the belief that all humans are created in the image of God. It is a Judeo-Christian idea. That was my point in bringing it up. Worldview shows up In everything.It seems to me the "platinum rule" would essentially lead to the "inmates running the asylum." A leader shouldn't check with the led to make sure they approve of how they lead. The other glaring problem with the "platinum rule" is that the opportunity for consistency is thwarted. Everyone gets different treatment. I couldn't agree more with your comment (at least part a):"The best leaders know how to use multiple approaches and can tailor their approach to the individual situation."but, part b is really a non-sequitar. Boundaries are everywhere, no one is immune to them.As far as "simple platitudes" goes, mine were spoken first by Jesus, yours, on the other hand......

About the "inmates running the asylum" ... Note that I said "when reasonable to do so" and wrote about setting boundaries and keeping an eye on the goals/needs of the patients and employers. I never said the staff should get everything they want all the time. And sometimes, in order to treat people "equally," you need to treat them differently. Consistency in principle is not the same as treating people the same all the time.And the snarky comment about Jesus at the end was not necessary.

How odd it is to have snark used here by the OP.

llg, Webster's defines snarky as "being crotchety, snappish; sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner." Platitude, by definition, is "the quality or state of being dull or insipid. A banal, trite, or stale remark."As far as the snark goes: I cited my references; Luke 6:31 and Mark 9:35 (The Bible). You cited no reference. Just the facts. I knew where my two "platitudes" came from not sure about yours. Don't take it too personally. We are both entitled to our worldview/belief system. But I certainly won't call you names when I do not agree with your opinion on a matter. Its just not Christian.....Maybe Mulder was right after all!"Sometimes the need to mess with their heads outweighs the millstone of humiliation."or as Inigo Montoya said in the Princess Bride: "You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means."NURSE ON! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and beliefs with us.

[QUOTE=HouTx;8525559]One of the big problems in nursing is that career advancement is usually limited to 'administrative/leadership' pathways. So our great clinicians sometimes feel pressured to move into those roles even if it doesn't suit their personalities. Another issue? The people who make promotion decisions (non-nurses) frequently choose the candidate that looks most like themselves. Nuff said.

I was with you until you started quoting the Bible. I think your reference material should be a little more current. I'm not Bible bashing so please don't start with the anti-Christian crap, I believe you have the right to believe whatever you want.I think your point would be better received if it was supported by EBP instead.

Slight enigma present, right after saying, "I was with you until you started quoting the Bible. I think your reference material should be a little more current." You state that you are not bashing! Wow! Seems like you started with the "anti-Christian crap." There is no greater EBP than the Bible. Thanks for stopping by.

Quote from airwaynurseThere is no greater EBP than the Bible. Thanks for stopping by.

Yep.... REALLYsee phony diatribes about my ability to believe as I like.....sure does make others mad and offended when I do doesn't it. BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS ANSWERED -- Biblical Errors Mistakes Difficulties Discrepancies Countered Really indeed!

Gee, what a surprise -- yet another "article" by an OP who says in the article that s/he is encouraging others to share their views and ideas on the topic, but then, when s/he gets any responses that differ from her/his opinion, lashes out at anyone who dares to have a different perspective or not share her/his enthusiasm for ancient religious writings as a legitimate academic/scientific reference. (Helpful tip for OP: Getting nasty with people who don't happen to share your religious beliefs is not a great advertisement for Christianity.) I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to have some grudging respect for the people who post here who state right up front that they don't want any responses that criticize or disagree with them ... At least they're honest ...