[Sharon]

Pick one of the Leadership characteristics in the chapter you read above that you feel is the most important in a leader. Describe a personal situation about yourself or a leader that supports why you feel that characteristic is the most important.

[Jamie]

I believe that the number one quality in a leader is Adaptibility.
I believe this because without being adaptive to circumstances and changing environments you will never be able to act on your plans for change or be able to rally others to believe in your dreams and ideas.
If you are not confident enough to adapt to a changing environment then no one will believe in you as a leader. It would feel as if you are all talk and no action if you are hesitant to fully imploy your plans and aspirations.

[Evan]

I fully agree. Adaptability is definitely the most important trait, however I did not think about the confidence aspect. Without confidence it would be very hard to modify and implement your plan for any scenario, and also reduce any potential teammate or subordinates likelihood of following you significantly.

[Emmaline]

One of the characteristics that i look for in a leader is someone that is dependable who does what they say, stand by their people and remains steady during difficult times. I have personally experience road blocks in workplace settings and having a leader that shows up, offer guidance and encouragements makes a big differences.

[Chantelle]

Cooperativeness is what I appreciate from a leader. I’ve noticed a cooperative leader ensures proper communication between different healthcare teams, preventing dangerous information gaps and team feels safe when reporting errors. This helps by having staff morale and preventing medical errors. There was also a sense of trust and fairness that provided motivation to work, which meant daily positive results.

[Thea]

One of the most important qualities in a leader is the ability to create and share a clear vision. The chapter points out that strong leaders help everyone feel connected to a common purpose. Without this, teams can struggle to move forward or find meaning in their work.

At work, I had a charge nurse who always made her goal of improving resident-centered care clear to everyone. She often reminded us how small things, like taking time to listen to residents, really mattered. Because she kept sharing this vision, our team became more thoughtful in how we cared for people. Her steady approach motivated us, even when things got busy.

This experience showed me that when leaders share a clear vision, everyday tasks feel more meaningful and people are inspired to do their best.

[Alexis]

Hi there!
I absolutely agree with you. I think a strong vision is something that motivates people to become leaders because it inspires them to complete the desired outcome. I am also with you in your thought that it is a group effort, when you said everyone feeling connected and using the word teams. From the text, i found a strong emphasis noted on followers and their impact on the ability to assist the leader to achieve the vison. While leaders have large effects on followers such as motivating them and bringing them to new levels, without a similar vision shared like you said, a leader would not performed described leader tasks as outline in the readings.

[Jaswinder]

In my opinion, the most crucial leadership quality is being flexible in different circumstances. Adaptability allows leaders to change or alter the plans and successfully lead the team in the face of changing circumstances . In my personal experience during group activity, when our initial plan did not work we had to change our strategy. At the end we achieved the task through reorganization and adjustment. This showed the importance of flexibility in leadership since it aids in problem-solving and obtain goal.

[Shannon]

I agree with you. As we work with people with different challenges, strengths and weaknesses. Each day may have new tasks or changes to adapt to.
Because we work with people are interventions are not a one size fits all approach. Things may be similar but our care plans are adjusted for each patients personalization. But with that said one day it may work and the next day the team may need to come out with something new. Adaptability is so important.

[Sarah]

The most important characteristic for a leader to have is confidence. When a leader believes in their team it inspires the team to do great things.

I was recently part of a diverse team of healthcare workers from my organization that was sent to assist another LTC home that was struggling with Ministry compliance. The confidence expressed by our CEO to the team that we could make a difference to this other home and that we could do it in a way that showed compassion and grace allowed the team to not only succeed in identifying areas and strategies for improvement for the home but also to support the people (staff and residents) of the home during a time of distress and need.

[Marilyn]

Hi Sarah, thank you for your great example. I didn’t think of confidence as a good qualification but it really does make sense. You need to be confident in your ability and your vision, in order to create change. I lack confidence in my skills and perhaps that is why I struggle to be a good leader. Clearly a great leader needs many qualifications.

I am very new to the organization that I work for and am still learning my place but in previous employment, I did have the confidence to speak out for change when it was necessary (I had been working for the organization for a number of years and knew my role). I wonder perhaps, how we can build confidence in new employees right from the start, especially when they are starting a role never stepped into before (in my case, moving from hospital nursing to indigenous clinical setting). Part of that would be having clear policies and procedures in place and part of the onboarding process.

[Sarena]

I think one really valuable leadership trait is empathy. A leader who listens to their team, understands their challenges, and really tries to see things from their perspective creates trust and loyalty. For example, when you check in regularly, not just about tasks, but also asks how people are doing personally. That kind of presence motivates a team. Also protrays being dependable on improving situations

[Cheryl]

I believe empathy is so important as well. I feel it can be difficult to inspire in others if they don’t unintentionally display this, however, I believe that as leaders, we can show this by example in how we care for others. I suppose the hope in doing so is to portray how important it is to relate to others where they are at and in doing so, be able to provide more person-centered care.

[Nathalia]

I agree with both that empathy is an important characteristic of a leader because in order to be the best role model for employees you lead by example and in order to do so we have to be able to empathize with clients, family and staff. Once a leader is able to empathize they are able to see the full picture in order to provide a holistic approach. Every person is objective and in healthcare we come across multiple scenarios both with client and staff that can affect the day to day operations due to external circumstances. As a leader having the ability to stop and connect with client/staff to understand their approach and the “what/why” of the situation helps the leader see the larger scale to resolve any issues or conflict. When you can empathize with the client/staff you build a connection and an opportunity for the other person to trust, listen and grow with the leader in the future.

[Cheryl]

I totally agree empathy is important in nursing leadership. Leaders that take their time to check in with their team will indeed motivate them. In nursing whether its a rough day or normal, this kind of presence makes staff feel supported and that they matter.

[Kellie]

Absolutely, I have seen tense shifts where we are short staffed or have palliative residents and just asking the staff if they are ok goes a long way. Checking in means so much.

[Kellie]

Absolutely. Checking in means so much to the team

[Vanessa]

Empathy is such an important trait in a leader. I think if we don’t recognize and respond to others emotions, how can we work well as a team. Emotional intelligence is very important.

[Marion Catherine]

As a leader, accepting and embracing the role of follower creates stability within the management and front-line worker teams. Building trust within the management is vital for a leader’s credibility that the leader/follower stays in their own lane. Meaning that no one feels threatened by a leader’s vision, innovation, and impact on the whole team. The leader/follower continues with the task they were hired to do but is also able to present suggestions for change that may improve the organization’s overall mission and vision statements.

Building trust among fellow front-line workers is demonstrated through a commitment to assigned tasks and responsibilities as well as competently bringing forward concerns to management. Advocating on behalf of the fellow followers and offering potential solutions to concerns raised may assist with team engagement and support management in creating/defining effective resolutions to the concerns raised.

Establishing trust within these two classifications builds followership and as Patrionis (2007) asks, “ … what is effective leadership without effective followers?” (p.4). If I can navigate these two roles (leader/follower) then the chances of being an effective leader are heightened.

Reference
Patrionis Jones, R. (2007). Nursing leadership management: Theories, processes
and practice. F. A. Davis Company.

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[Adeline]

Being cooperative is the most important characteristic as a leader, In Healthcare, a leader should be able to work collaboratively with the nursing team, communicating together and sharing ideas to ensure that realistic goals are being achieved in a timely manner doing all these will help elance safety, trust and better patient outcome.

[Shea]

I agree that being cooperative is a very important characteristic in a leader, especially in healthcare. Working collaboratively and communicating openly helps build trust and ensures everyone is working toward the same goals. When leaders encourage staff to work together as a team, it creates a positive and safe environment for patients where everyone feels supported and valued.

[Marilyn]

Most important trait of a leader is dependable. Dependability builds relationship and trust. It encourages people to come to you with concerns and to trust that you know what you are taking about and they can carry out the task.

[Sharon]

I agree that great leaders are dependable. The actions of all leaders have direct consequences for everyone around. As such, it is very important to always follow through on the commitments you make to others and to stick to the timelines agreed upon. This will facilitate trust with colleagues, and build relationships. When employees know they can rely on their leader, it allows them to carry out their work more effectively. Dependable leaders can help mitigate negative outcomes by providing employees with stability and consistency.

[Cheryl]

I believe that one of the most essential parts of being a good leader is being cooperative. When a leader is cooperative, it makes them approachable which can foster a deeper connection with others, as it feels comfortable and safe. When we feel comfortable and safe, we feel we can bring new perspectives and ideas without fear of judgment or ridicule. Leaders or managers do not have all the answers and often another person’s perspective can bring much positivity and better approaches.

I can recall about a week a PSW coming to me with an idea to develop a new form that other PSW”s can fill out for a client with “helpful hints” to be aware of for client visits. Things that may not be in a care plan such as “spare cleaning supplies kept in pantry” etc. The aim of doing this was to streamline things so staff were not wasting time searching for things. Instead, they would see this clearly written out in the client’s folder and know exactly where to look. This form was developed collaboratively and implemented with cooperating with this PSW”s idea. It felt really good for the staff to feel they contributed to something meaningful and gained respect from her towards myself as her boss as I was willing to share her wonderful idea.

[Leah]

Confidence is important for a leader to have. I have been in situations myself where people have relied on me and I didn’t give them a confident answer or my body language was off so they went to someone else, I’ll admit I have done that too. Body language that shows off confidence is so important and since we all work in health care, the public eye is always on us. Whether that be updating family members on a change of status to their loved one or updating the MD, confidence is the key for people around you to trust you as a leader.

[Katrina]

Yes, having confidence is important part of being a leader. Confidence is not something we are born with. It is built through trial and error as we deal with the many situations we face in healthcare. Practice makes perfect. Being confident means communicating effectively with a wide range of people and adapting your communication style to suit the needs of different audiences. I also agree body language sets the tone when leading, for example keeping both hands in your pockets or having your arms crossed can come across as closed off or uncomfortable. While having your hands visible and arms relaxed shows your confident, relaxed and open for interaction. This is what I believe is essential skill for nurses as leaders.

[Erin]

I agree and have also felt that way in situations. Confidence is one thing I have been working on to improve my leadership skills.

[Shea]

One leadership characteristic I feel is very important is being adaptable to different situations. In healthcare, especially in long-term care, things can change very quickly and leaders need to be able to adjust and respond appropriately. From my experience, I have seen how important it is when a leader can stay calm and adapt during staffing shortages or busy shifts. For example, I have worked with leaders who step in to help on the floor, assist with medications, or support staff when the unit is short staffed. Being adaptable helps maintain a positive environment, encourages teamwork, and shows staff that their leader is there to support them and help in any way possible.

[Alexis]

I think one of the leaderships characteristics that Is most important as a leader is being dependable. I think being dependable is important because it incorporates many other roles and tasks that are expected as a leader. For example, leaders accept responsibility. To me, when you accept responsibility, you are becoming dependent to that person/task or environment. Being a leader also includes being able to absorb criticism and setbacks, when someone is dependable it means, they will acknowledge these things and do what they need to in order to maintain or develop their vision/ promise. Throughout the reading, I acknowledged a strong importance of leadership is the followers especially in the nursing leadership roles. I think dependability is very important to followers when being led by a leader. They need to have someone trustworthy and reliable leading them towards the group vision. A personal situation that supports why I feel this way is being dependable to your patients, sticking to your promises and word. Every shift my patients needs and health outcomes become my responsibility and part of that is being dependable to them and advocating for their needs. My patient was up for discharge but expressed safety concerns to me about his home. I was able to advocate for him and obtain OT and CCAC involvement prior to discharge to allow for a safe transition into his home. Another example is being a good member of your team, being dependable and not calling in sick unless when needed and showing up for your team members which I believe achieves unity which is another task described in the reading as performed by a leader.

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[Katrina]

A characteristic that is important as a leader to me is being accountable. Being accountable in taking responsibility for your own actions and decisions to other fellow co-workers builds trust and respect, without always wanting to blame others. Being accountable also sets an example for others, as it can encourage them to take responsibility of their own actions. I feel like it also teaches yourself and others that no one is better than the other, that we are all human and it is okay to not be perfect. In that regard, accountability promotes honesty, learning and continuous improvement. For example, there have been situations where nurses have asked for my advice on wound assessments after realizing they documented incorrectly. I shared my similar mistakes in the past and explained how I corrected them, while also providing education. I felt that this approach helped the nurse remain calm and supported.

[Nathalia]

One of many characteristics i find important in a leader is being dependable. A dependable leader is that who can be approached for clarification or training as these don’t stop after orientation. We continuously experience new scenarios and situations where we require guidance or support and knowing you can count on your leader for support to build confidence to be better helps growth. Successful employees thrive in an environment where resources are available and leaders listen. Having leaders that are willing to be there to educate and promote growth for employees are 10 times more likely to have less employee turnover as it is in some cases where employees are mandated and expectations are set without clear understanding and direction. For situations as such, employees can count on leaders to review, inform and plan for the future in order to achieve success. As a nurse it is very important for me to have a dependable leader to be able to approach when some decisions that require a heavier input require transformational influence in order to achieve a successful outcome.

[Samantha]

I believe the most important trait of a leader is the willingness to assume responsibility. This is twofold: first, it means taking ownership of tasks and visions to lead by example. Second, it requires the self-awareness to admit when a mistake has been made. By showing that we don’t always have all the answers, we demonstrate a level of humanity that builds genuine trust and stronger teams.

[Freda]

Hi Samantha, your characteristic choice of assuming responsibility really resonates with me. As nurses we are a self regulated profession so we are first and foremost responsible to work within our scope. The CNO speaks to each of us having to know our individual knowledge, skill and judgement. So yes we have to be a leader in our own practice and be self aware of what we know and what we don’t know. I agree it is important to take ownership is we make a mistake and be brave to share our learning from that mistake to support others.

[Terrinah]

I believe Confidence is very important for a leader to have. I have worked as a leader and sometimes I am asked questions that i am not sure about and because I am the supervisor I have to answer with confidence . I have to make sure my body language is confident, my words. Confidence is the key for people round you to trust what you are saying and to trust you as a leader.

[Jaswinder]

I agree that leader needs to be confident.The team is more likely to trust supervisior’s decisions when they communicate with confidence and show strong body language. But it is also crucial for leaders to admit when they are unclear about something and promise to find the solution. This combination of self-assurance and morality fosters even more team trust.

[Angusami]

I believe dependable is very important as a leader. They are easily approchable, respects each member’s opinions and more reliable to support the staff.

[Aysha]

I agree with you, Angusami. If we can’t approach a leader then it is hard to depend on them. Sometimes, RPNs need help when they are overburdened with tasks and with ongoing challenges in the unit. If we cant’s approach the leader we can’t even expect to get any help. A good leader is supposed to be cooperative and dependable for the peers at workplace.

[Shannon]

I believe it is important as a leader to be dependable.
When you are dependable you can build that trusting professional relationship with your residents, staff and managers. You come to work on time, you do not call in off work often.
Staff know your expectation and standards when they work with you. If staff have a problem you are knowledgeable, you are approachable and you can handle different situations. In my work experience, when I was pulled from another floor to work a unit that the staff member was often absent, the staff were overwhelmed, there was no consistency in care. Moral was low and resident were often asking where is my nurse? I am having a new staff member every day and that can be very taxing on residents who are trying to establish a rapport with the caregivers. So therefore I think it is very important.

[Lisa]

I agree with those who stated adaptability is most important when being a leader. Every day is different and being able to adapt to unpredictable situations is essential. For example being able to adapt to an upset family member, colleague, resident or maybe an environmental concern like a leak in the roof or learning a new program at work. Adapting and ongoing learning is necessary as a leader to be able to lead co-workers.

[Freda]

Choosing a leadership characteristic that I feel is most important is not an easy task as I feel there are many characteristics that support a leader’s success. The one that stood out to me in the reading was the second of the competencies listed on page 9. It states, “Leaders must “keep reminding people of what is important {because} people really can forget what they are there for.” (Bennis, 2004) It also speaks to followers requiring recognition to remain engaged. As nurses our priority is to provide the best care possible for those we care for. Wherever we work the organization will have a mission or vision that speaks to this. Sometimes with challenges faced in the system we can lose sight of the priorities, so it is of great importance to have a leader guide us back to that focus.
While working frontline in LTC the administrative tasks and meeting regulations can become quite overwhelming. Your shift demands are heavy and the chance of forgetting why you are there can easily be misplaced. I remember my novice years as being some of the hardest work I have ever experienced. Being who I am I also need to know why. This could sometimes lead me to challenge the status quo but at the same time feeling frustrated when not acknowledged. Within months of starting my nursing journey in LTC I was fortunate to have a new administrator come to manage the home I was in. This administrator came with such great knowledge and experience. She was amazing at bringing this back to quality resident care, being the reason, we are there. She was present, open to new ideas and gave recognition to staff for the work being done. She created a feeling of belonging and supported the leader in all that followed her.

[Marilyn]

The most important trait of a good leader is trust. Trust builds the foundation for everything else that follows. I need to trust that you will follow through with what you say. I trust that the actions and words you use will be to my best interest. However, I do not see trust on the list, so I will go with dependability.

A good leader must be dependable. It is someone that will follow-through with what they say. They show up when times are hard. They back their co-workers in public. They point out flaws in private. They see an issue and address it.

I worked with a fantastic charge nurse. She showed up for work everyday. She was steady in her beliefs. She was supportive of the staff that she worked with. We had a patient on the floor that was becoming very belligerent of the nurse he was working with. The nurse was a relatively new nurse and didn’t know how to deal with the patient, so she told her charge nurse. The nurse gave her some pointers and monitored the situation. The patient eventually came out of his room cursing and swearing (he was intoxicated), the charge nurse approached the patient and told him that he had no right to speak to others that way and he could either go to bed or sign himself out AMA. The patient signed out AMA and the doctor them came along and complained to the nurse, the charge nurse heard what was going on and spoke up to the doctor and explained the situation. This was a very dependable nurse. The other nurses knew that she would have your back no matter what. She was very approachable, gave suggestions, and did not back down when times got tough.

[Linda]

Hi there,
I liked your take on dependability. I also had a fabulous charge nurse in the ED. The best word I could use to describe her…she showed up and was a steady leader each day. It was so important to be that dependable person in an emergency department. It kept the calm 🙂

[Vanessa]

I believe the most important trait of a good leader is organization. When a leader is organized, it sets the tone for the entire team and creates an environment where people can stay focused. Strong organization also reduces confusion and helps prevents any chaos that can derail teamwork. When expectations, plans and priorities are clear, collaboration becomes smoother and the team feel more confident in their roles/tasks.

[Teresa]

Adaptable to Situation

As a MedSurge/Acute nurse, my responsibilities and Team assignments changes everyday. I have to adapt to it accordingly.

Adaptability is a key trait that I have and uses it at all times to further my skills, experience, and knowledge in the healthcare settings.

[Jovelisa]

There are a lot of important characteristics that I believe a leader should possess. Patience is my foremost characteristic that a leader should have, followed by more……! As a unit RPN, I have come across difficult situations that I found myself in. Just very recently, I had a very “trying my patience not to cry shift. ” Five situations have occurred within the 8 hrs. In my entire nursing career, I will not forget it. I kept telling myself “Do not cry Juvy, you can handle this. Tomorrow will be a different shift.” True enough, my next shift was bearable and I shared that experience to my colleagues. A leader must be willing to share experiences to the team as an example. Give good advice, gives kind words for duty will done, and also a good teacher. I will add that an experienced leader is a good teacher.

[Erin]

I think that adaptability is a very important characteristic as a leader. I’ve come onto shift as a “float” nurse and there has been a no show (PSW) on one of the units and the shift was unable to get covered. I helped the PSW working the unit with rounds and nightly tasks while also maintaining my float position and still supporting the other nurses and PSW’s through the shift.

[Samantha]

I agree that Adaptability is very important in a leader as well. This allows us to help team members and feel confident in our approach.  Also, the world, especially in health care is ever-changing. Being able to keep up with that without being overwhelmed is a great trait in a leader and instills confidence.

[Aysha]

I believe the most important trait of a good leader is empathy. A good leader would express empathy by listening to the staff, acknowledging their concerns and validating their feelings. Which always build trust among staff with the leader. Staff feels comfortable to approach the leader when there is a challenge and complete the task with less struggles and hesitation.

[Susan]

Aysha, such an important quality, empathy for our patients/residents/ clients and families as well as the staff caring for them, helps us make the best possible decisions to support an environment that not only do people want to work in, they want to stay in that environment because of the leaders who support them.

For me, one of the most important attributes a leader should possess is reliability. If having a problem or concern, I need to be able to call on them to assist or resolve an issue. To know I can count on their knowledge and direction.

[Stephanie]

I think that an important characteristic of a leader would be alert to social environment, and I took this as being aware of your surroundings. I think a good leader recognizes when others need help before them having to ask for it. Helping others when they are behind instead of just doing the work they are required to do then letting other fend for themselves, is a very important trait. Another example being a new nurse struggling to perform a skill, a leader would step in and show and assist the new nurse rather than ignoring the situation or waiting for them to ask for help.

[Sharon]

I believe that the number one quality in a leader is Adaptability.
Adaptive leaders strive to foster collaboration, good communication, and quick to address challenges and inspire their teams toward innovative problem-solving. At anytime a situation can change and a leader must be able to adapt to these changes, whether its stepping in to cover a shift or stepping up to assist in the de-escalation of a situation. I have been in situations many times where I have to step in to assist PSW’s with showers , feeding or just to cover breaks without been asked to help. Instead of delegating tasks at all times it is good to take time out to show the team that you are available to help when needed.

[Adella]

It is so hard to pick just one but if I had to, I think confidence would be up there on the top of the list. I think I relate this to if you were out hiking or skiing with a guide on difficult trail and the guide seemed nervous and unsure it would then reflect on those in the group to be even more nervous and unsure, unlike that confident well prepared guide that encourages and brings you along the journey of the trail, resulting in a positive outcome.
It is very visible when an organization or team has strong leadership, those working in the space appear to be happy with the climate, they feel like they are part of a team all working together to achieve a common goal for the betterment of those in which we work for be it Public Health, Long Term Care or community. You feel like you have the opportunity to make a difference in your day to day work. When leadership is rocky it trickles down to the front line very easily. You have to have a leader with confidence and trust will follow.

[Brittany]

Dependability is a critical characteristic of effective leadership for me. When reflecting on experiences within an organization, leaders must be perceived as reliable and responsive when staff bring forward concerns or requests. Employees should feel confident that their leader will be open to discussion, receptive to feedback, and willing to take appropriate action when issues arise. A dependable leader demonstrates consistency and accountability through follow-through and clear communication. When leaders exhibit these qualities, they foster trust within the team and create a supportive environment where staff feel comfortable raising concerns, sharing ideas, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving.

I believe the most important quality of a good leader is confidence. second to that would be trust. If followers dont have the confidence in you, they will go around you to find the solutions to their questions or concerns. Having confidence motivates and inspires followers towards a common goal. If the leader is not setting a strong, confident, goal oriented workplace than the followers are not on the same page and there is not the continuity of care. As to the quality of trust, followers must feel like they can come and approach you with a problem and not feel that you would share it with others, Sometimes people only need to vent and not actually require a solution, In my practise, I always ask first…Is this something you want me to help you solve or do you just want me to listen. More times than not, its just to listen.

[Deirdre]

Great quality for a leader is passion for positive outcomes for the client/pt/resident.
With great passion comes great responsibility and this can look like leading a team to achieve these positive outcomes.

[Norma]

Many of today’s leaders possess qualities that have been mentioned in your posts, such as dependability, empathy, confidence, trust, collaboration, adaptability, and cooperation. All of these traits, to some degree or another, can support an effective leader.

In several of your posts, I’ve noticed that it was mentioned that the leaders who step in during difficult times stand out to you. A prime example of this is what we witnessed in healthcare during COVID-19. Many nurses ventured into different units, stepping out of their comfort zones to support their teams. There were numerous instances of strong leadership during that period. That I am sure many of you have witnessed.

Cheryl, I particularly liked your story about the PSW who approached you with her idea. In that moment, she demonstrated leadership by having the confidence to speak up and work with you to bring her idea to life. It’s a reminder that we can all lead from where we stand, regardless of our titles.

Alexis, your story about advocating for your patient’s safety concerns regarding their discharge also highlights leadership. You collaborated with the interdisciplinary team to ensure a safe transfer back home, which was a significant moment of leadership.
Samantha, you mentioned accountability for when a mistake happens. The College of Nurses of Ontario expects all nurses to be accountable for their own practice. As noted by Freda, nurses need to understand their individual knowledge, skills, and judgment. We must be aware of our own practice and reflect on the care we provide. When an error occurs, we are expected to take accountability, identify gaps in our knowledge or processes, and develop a plan to improve the quality of care for our patients. Continuous learning is a fundamental expectation for nurses, which is precisely what we are engaged in during this course!
Thanks, everyone, great job on Module one, keep it up!

[Cheryl]

A great leadership characteristic is mentoring and empowering.

During my placement one day, a fellow nurse took me and mentored me the entire day, going around searching for opportunities that would help my learning journey. She taught and allowed me to learn which for me was so empowering and made all the difference in my learning journey as a nursing student.

[Margaret]

I agree with you Cheryl. Mentoring and empowering are important because they help staff build confidence, develop skills, and reach their full potential. This also strengthens teamwork and improves the overall quality of care.

[Margaret]

One of the most important leadership characteristics is integrity. Integrity builds trust and respect between a leader and their team.

For example, in my nursing practice, there was a time when a physician’s order seemed unsafe for a resident whose creatinine level was abnormal. Instead of ignoring it, I reviewed the situation, advocated for the resident, and communicated my concern to the physician to clarify the order. By acting honestly and prioritizing the resident’s safety, I demonstrated integrity. This characteristic is important because staff and patients must trust that a leader will always make ethical and responsible decisions.

[Evan]

It is my opinion that adaptability is the most important quality in a leader. If you are attempting to complete a task (simple or complex) and have the perfect plan for a 4 person team but suddenly one of your people falls ill, you have to be modify your plan for the new scenario. For example, when I was younger and in cadets we were doing a training exercise that involved setting up a tent shelter. One of the team sprained their ankle. Instead of a 4 person team to set up the tent as was planned we had 1 person injured, 1 preforming first aid, and 2 people set up the tent. pretty basic example but the leader had to adapt in the moment.

[Susan]

Something that resonated in the articles for me about leadership qualities was “Leaders must create a culture of candor” , I think of this as a mix of integrity, trust and honesty. Having leaders who are able to lead from this perspective allows followers to become involved in different aspects of care and decision making because they are taken seriously by the leadership. I believe this helps staff to have confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously and changes will be for the better because they are brought with “candor” to establish reasoning and understanding.

[Kellie]

Leaders must be optimistic and see possibilities
As an RPN assigned to a unit, I need to not only complete my duties but also ensure that the PSWs and support staff can complete theirs as well. When short staffed or in outbreak, staff can become overwhelmed and anxious, often feeling as though it can’t be done. A leader needs to look at the situation, offer solutions, seek assistance and re assure that they have what it takes.

[Linda]

Pick one of the Leadership characteristics in the chapter you read above that you feel is the most important in a leader. Describe a personal situation about yourself or a leader that supports why you feel that characteristic is the most important

It is hard to pick just one characteristic because I could speak to how important many of them are in a leader, but if I had to narrow it down to one, it would be adaptability.
Being a confident leader means being someone who can openly embrace change. If you are not an adaptable person then change would be difficult to accept and even more difficult to inspire others to accept that change as well. A big part of being an efficient leader is helping your followers see the good in change and to adopt a positive attitude toward the new.
A situation that I encountered the need for adaptability in my role as a leader was when my hospital changed over to automatic dispensing units for medication. We are a rural hospital that still does paper charting and medications were stored on a ‘wall’ in the emergency department for easy access. When we transferred to the ADU’s there was a LOT of pushback, especially from the seasoned nurses. There was an opportunity to have early training and accessibility to these machines in hopes that the “super-users” could help implement this new technology and encourage compliance with the staff on the floors. I took this opportunity to become a so-called “super-user” along with a solid group of other adaptable peers. We became leaders in our roles without any change of title. By adapting and embracing the positive and necessary change. We lead by example and others followed. I think this is a positive example of how adaptability is a necessary characteristic of a leader.

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