Angela Cooper Brathwaite
In the last issue of the journal, I hinted that I like to describe myself as a servant leader. After attending RNAO’s Nursing Executive Leadership Academy (NELA) in June, and listening to several outstanding presentations from leaders across the health-care system, I was inspired to reflect even further on the concept of leadership and on my own style. One of the speakers, Susan Fitzpatrick, the CEO for the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), said leadership is about inclusion, reaching out to others, and having the courage and the passion or desire to give patients a great experience.
In the literature, servant leadership typically means a person assumes the position of a servant in his or her relationships with members, constituents and colleagues. A servant leader believes in meeting the needs of constituents while role-modeling specific behaviours. Servant leaders’ distinguishing attributes include: vision, honesty, integrity, trust, service, role modeling, appreciation of others, and empowerment. Accompanying these attributes are other important qualities such as communication, credibility, competence, visibility, listening and encouragement. The desire to serve and appreciate others is what drove me to become RNAO’s president. I love spending time with people, being visible at your meetings, engaging in key initiatives, learning, giving feedback
and teaching.
Transformational leaders have many of the same attributes as servant leaders. However, a transformational leader focuses more attention on an organization’s purpose and mission than on the needs of the people they lead.
As your leader, I truly believe the alignment of our own beliefs and values with those of the organization we serve are essential. RNAO’s values include diversity, inclusivity, equity, social justice and democracy. Treating others with respect, and valuing the contributions of others, is paramount to RNAO’s success.
Another speaker at NELA, Barb Collins, the president and CEO of Toronto’s Humber River Hospital, admitted she has used both styles of leadership. For example, she used transformational leadership in the planning and design of the hospital, and demonstrated servant leadership by engaging nursing staff, physicians, board members, and volunteers in her efforts to keep them informed. She said: “Engagement decreased staff’s anxiety, increased their confidence, and enhanced intimacy.”
Having the opportunity to reflect on my own leadership style post-NELA brought to mind some of my core beliefs and values, which are clearer than ever for me. For example, I believe human life is valuable and that we all have unique skills, talents, abilities and knowledge, which we may use to contribute to society. My values include the “golden rule,” which is doing unto others as you would have them do to you. In other words: treating people with love, respect and dignity.
As your leader, I truly believe the alignment of our own beliefs and values with those of the organization we serve are essential. RNAO’s values include diversity, inclusivity, equity, social justice and democracy. Treating others with respect, and valuing the contributions of others, is paramount to RNAO’s success.
Your professional organization provides you with lots of opportunities to develop leadership competencies and skills, to gain experience, and to practice leadership in action.
You can serve on the executive committee of an interest group, chapter, or region without chapters. You can also serve on the board of directors, and you can take advantage of a variety of professional development offerings. In addition, members can strengthen and expand their policy advocacy knowledge and skills by taking part in Queen’s Park Day, Take Your MPP to Work, or the association’s annual Queen’s Park on the Road initiative.
Taking on a leadership role is especially important now that there is a new government at Queen’s Park. This is our time to help shape the future of health care and our profession by spending time with and getting to know our MPPs. We all have a chance to make our individual and collective voices heard. Let’s make a difference.
I am eager to hear how you are exercising your leadership. Feel free to get in touch with me through email at RNAO.ca/contact/president, or connect with me through Twitter.