Hello Everyone

I have chosen from this weeks reading to focus on competency as the most important characteristic a leader can possess. I believe this because I feel a leader cannot be credible if they are not competent, and credibility was discussed as being the foundation of good leadership.

In the readings for this discussion post it outlined that being honest, forward looking, inspiring and competent are the 4 main traits of exemplary leadership. It was also expressed that credibility is the foundation of a good leader. A person’s credibility was outlined to be determined on the the elements of being trustworthy, personally passionate and interested and possessing the knowledge and skills needed. Yet when I think of an exceptional leader, of course I want to see them as forward thinking, honest and inspiring , yet the most important characteristic I feel I I need them to possess is competency. Competency means that they have the knowledge, skill and judgment to guide decisions appropriately. Being forward thinking and inspirational, if the core of the message is not competent, could be very detrimental to the quality of the care being provided or the direction the organization could be taken.

An example of this in a leadership situation could be in the case of our hospice redefining our model of care to be one that has the residential aspect of our hospice being only part of the bigger picture in the community. Those in leadership roles need to be forward thinking and inspiration to want to move forward in this direction , but they also need to be competent in how to execute the steps needed to create a dynamic, full circle model of care. They would need to know how to reach out to the community effectively, understand funding, know how to create new policies and procedures, be well versed on bereavement and be competent in the delivery of palliative care provisions in both the residential and community level.

Of the five characteristics of a leader, I believe that credibility is the most important. To be credible, a leader needs to demonstrate the other 4 characteristics (honesty, forward-looking, competent, inspiring) to be a reliable source of information and create strong relationships. This is important in environments where trust and mutual respect are essential for success.

An experience that demonstrates why credibility is the most important is with a leader I had in a workplace. I had an experience with a manager who consistently demonstrated reliability and honesty in their actions and communication. They always followed through on promises and took responsibility for their actions, which reinforced their credibility. This manager created a positive work environment where team members felt valued and trusted. They also created a safe space for open communication, encouraging us to share ideas and concerns without the fear of judgment. This leader’s credibility helped with productivity and commitment from team members.

Hi Everyone!
The leadership characteristic I believe is most important is being forward-looking. This trait is important in ensuring that future goals are achieved and potential challenges are anticipated and managed effectively. In my experience as a case manager, being forward-looking is essential for prioritizing the continuity of care for individuals with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.

One notable example of this was when I assisted in planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a medically complex individual from Ottawa to Toronto for a weekend getaway. The intricate nature of their medical needs required thorough and meticulous planning to ensure their safety and well-being throughout the trip.

I identified all potential risks and challenges that could arise during the journey. This involved assessing the safety needs at each venue and area they planned to visit. I mapped out the locations of the nearest medical centers in proximity to their planned activities to ensure quick access in case of an emergency.

Furthermore, I arranged for a nurse to be on call, providing over-the-phone support to our staff as needed. This measure was crucial in offering immediate medical advice and intervention if any health issues arose during the trip. I found a hotel in Toronto that had a physician on call, ensuring immediate medical attention was available. Prior to the trip, I coordinated a meeting with this physician to discuss the specific medical needs of the individual and establish a plan for any potential emergencies.

By being forward-looking, I was able to anticipate and address the various medical and logistical challenges that could arise, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for the individual. This example exemplifies the importance of forward-thinking in leadership, as it allows for proactive planning and effective management of potential issues, ultimately leading to successful outcomes.

Hi all,

Of the five leadership characteristics: honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent and credible, I feel being a competent leader is of the most important. A competent leader is critical for building trust, driving success and being a positive role-model which encourages others to follow. In being a competent leader, this person has the necessary skills, knowledge and the remaining characteristics of a leader. A personal example of this characteristic is when I engage with my superior for clarification on which steps to take next. My superior shows competent discission making skills which support their honest and credible advice and make for a better outcoming. If I did not feel my superior was competent in the supports provided, I would not feel I can trust their judgement, thus making for a less successful outcome and hinder how and whom I approach in the future.

I think it’s important to acknowledge that all 4 characteristics in the chapter demonstrate great qualities of a leader. When you put them all in 1 category, a 5th model is developed; a Credited Leader. A credited leader as mentioned in the chapter is essential to have on your team and as we become better leaders ourselves, we should strive to be a credited leader as it “Models the way of the future”.

The one characteristic that sticks out most for me in this chapter is an Honest Leader. We talk so much about the importance of communication and one of the most admirable traits for communication is being honest.
Honesty demonstrates being transparent, having open communication, being sincere, patient, and empathic, as well as acknowledging others for putting in the effort, doing a good job and encouraging others.
Honesty builds trust therefore, your team will trust you as their leader to have open communication for feedback, sharing positive opinions and input that would give our clients a better experience during their treatment or it allows our nursing department to operate effectively. An honest leader fosters accountability, as it ca demonstrate effective teaching from their own work and when done right, the accountability can increase your team members’ skills and confidence to model.

A personal situation, I would like to give more of an insight too; the client population my work serves. Our clients are very intelligent, highly skilled people who come with a vast range of experiences not just in their career but in life. They are all very important members in their communities and our Country. My clients are Active Military members, Veterans (retired Military) and First Responders such as Police, Fire Fighters, Medics, Nurses, Corrections, Dispatch, RCMP, etc.. They are either on a temporary leave of absence, retired from their active services, on permanent disability (morally and physically) etc.
The program we offer helps with their Trauma or a concurrent condition Trauma and Addiction; it is an inpatient treatment for 7 or 9 weeks and in that time we do develop a great rapport with all of them as nurses are there 24/7. It is an incredibly rewarding job and it also comes with challenges that as the Charge Nurse, I have to have hard conversations from time to time around the importance of avoiding countertransference.

Even though our clients are such incredible people, it is not often I have had to remind nurses that we are not their friends; we are nurses first and our job is to support them medically and therapeutically. Sometimes balancing boundaries gets murky as we want to maintain trust with our clients as this is the highest expectation they have for all of their care providers. This is where honesty is so important for me as I have to have transparent conversations with clients too as they want to be our friends also.
I want people to know I am sincerely hearing them and welcome their feedback and assure them that I will bring it forward with my team. I want to best support the needs of our clients and staff, I am someone who follows the saying “practices what you preach’.

I believe credibility to be the most important characteristic for a leader to have from the reading this week. I believe a good leader does demonstrate all five characteristics (Honest,forward-looking,competent and insisting) but I believe to be a good leader you must be credible. This is especially important in a healthcare environment as trust,respect and reliability are key for a successful team and successful shift. When being a leader your team needs to feel comfortable reporting to you during the shift and feel they can come to you with concerns and or questions they may have. Being credible shows that you as a leader take your team’s concerns, questions or ideas and follow through with what you say you will do. An example of this from a personal workplace experience is when a co worker and I had to go to our RN supervisor regarding concerns on our unit. We felt comfortable approaching this person as we looked up to them as a good leader. We knew they would take our concerns seriously and follow up with a solution as they were creditable from past interactions. They consistently demonstrated reliability, good communication skills, follow through and took responsibility. Working a shift with this RN always run’s smoothly as they demonstrate credibility and other characteristics of a leader which in turn builds mutual respect and a trusting environment for staff as well as residents.

Among the five key characteristics of a leader, I prioritize credibility as paramount. A leader’s credibility hinges on demonstrating honesty, forward-thinking, competence, and inspiration, making them a trustworthy source and fostering robust relationships. This quality proves indispensable in environments where success relies on trust and mutual respect.

A compelling illustration of why credibility reigns supreme comes from my experience with my current workplace leader. My manager consistently exhibits reliability and honesty in both actions and communication. They consistently deliver on commitments and own up to their responsibilities, thereby reinforcing their credibility. This manager promotes a positive work atmosphere where team members fell valued and trusted. They also established an environment conducive to open communication, encouraging us to freely share ideas and concerns without fear of judgment. The credibility of this leader significantly enhances team productivity and fosters a high level of commitment among our team members.

Hello Everyone,
I chose credibility. I admire the credibility that my “mentor” has and still does. This lady has sacrificed a lot of her time, effort, and continues to do so. It’s obvious that my mentor has the educational background, but sadly not enough on paper, to fulfil an administrative duty. Never-the -less, her sincere shine surpasses any paper. Her honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, passion, and gifted communication skills, give her the viability that everyone see’s everyday, regardless of how she feels. I have never experienced a professional with such resilience. Communication is first thing in the morning, of what is expected, or any other issues needing clarification. If an issue arises, she will pull us(staff)aside and keep us informed and call out any other issues. Her door is always open. Tasks are delegated openly. She enables possibilities, walks the talk, follows through on promises, and does what she say’s she will do. Their are many attributes, this is just to name a few.

Hi Melissa,
Totally agree that a shift should run smoothly. It makes for a better day for everyone including residents. In healthcare/long-term care it is not always possible. A characteristic of credibility speaks for itself. A trusting environment and mutual respect works for all.

I believe honesty is an integral component of a leader. With honesty, the team is provided with accurate and transparent information, which is critical for efficiency. This builds trust in the team, leading to better credibility.

One of the top characteristics of a leader that I feel is most important is being forward-looking. In my previous job as a nurse, I had the opportunity to work with a nursing leader who embodied this trait remarkably well. During a period of significant changes in healthcare policies and patient care protocols, our hospital faced numerous challenges that required us to rethink our strategies and adapt quickly.

Our nurse manager, Sarah, consistently demonstrated a forward-looking approach by anticipating shifts in healthcare trends and preparing us for future developments. She initiated regular training sessions and workshops where we discussed potential changes in patient care standards and emerging medical technologies, encouraging us to think beyond our immediate duties and consider the long-term impact on patient outcomes. Sarah’s vision for the future wasn’t just about setting ambitious goals; she also created actionable plans that aligned with her foresight.

One particular instance that stands out was when Sarah predicted a shift towards increased use of telehealth services. She advocated for investing in telehealth technology and arranged for comprehensive training for the nursing staff, even when some team members were hesitant about the change. Her clear vision and strategic planning enabled us to stay ahead of the curve, ultimately leading to a seamless transition that improved patient access to care and positioned our hospital as a leader in telehealth services. This experience taught me that being forward-looking is crucial for effective leadership in nursing, as it not only prepares the organization for future challenges but also inspires and mobilizes the team towards a shared vision of enhanced patient care.

Hello every one;

In my opinion, competency is a very important characteristic in leadership. A competent leader is a confident leader who inspire others to do their best. A competent leader also leads by example and knows how to encourage others to use their potentials to the maximum for the benefit of the company. A competent leader also doesn’t hesitate to help and lead his/her team members to use the best of their abilities. Generally, in competent leaders we can find all characteristics of leadership which are Honesty, visionary, inspirational, credibility.

Hello,

For this discussion, I chose Competency as a very important characteristic for leadership. Someone who is a position to lead, should be able to do confidently demonstrate it, so it shows their team they can rely on their leader. A competent leader not only believes in themselves, but their team as well, and should demonstrate it when in their leadership position. When a leader shows their care for others, it can help build up a trusting relationship with their peers. An example I can use is a at my work, a co worker of mine demonstrates leadership and competency well together. My co worker is a firm advocate for our residents in our long term care home, and will often go above & beyond to ensure their health needs are being met from one of our doctors that visits through out the week. She deticates her time to meet with the doctor, offer her insight on what may be causing a certain issue, and she does it in a respectful yet confident manner. This is me is how a competent leader acts.

I believe credibility is one of the most important leadership qualities. I have worked with a manager who truly stood up for her team, advocated for me, and was able to show through actions. I recall a time where I needed additional support with something and she promised that she would look into ways to help me and not only did she do that, she helped herself. It shows that she is able to back up what she promises and shows her honesty. It had allowed me to trust her more and feel more confident in her leadership.

Hello,
I believe that being adaptable and socially skilled is crucial for a leader.
In an instance at our unit, there was a conflict between two nurses regarding receiving a specific patient assignment. The advanced practice nurse, our leader, handled the situation with remarkable skill. She approached each nurse individually, listening to their concerns and preferences in a calm and respectful manner. By honouring their preferences and facilitating a discussion between them, she was able to clarify misunderstandings and find a resolution that satisfied both parties. This not only diffused the tension but also demonstrated her ability to adapt her approach to the unique dynamics of the situation. Her thoughtful intervention created a culture of open communication and respect within our team, which shows how essential adaptable and socially skilled leadership is in resolving conflicts effectively.
Thank you for reading.
Rose