Where have all the leaders gone?

Why am I in this management job?  What am I doing here!  I’m stressed and overworked.  Most of my staff is making more money than I am and yet here i am.  Well, I read this blog Where have all the leaders gone? | Rize Global. which helped me remember why I was in a leadership position.

Stress is inherent in the nursing profession.  Burnout is happening to the nurses in the field or at the bedside (depending on where you work.)   It’s also happening to our nursing leaders.  Expectations of higher productivity, increasing demands to do more with less, the squeeze between staff and company goals enhance the stress our leaders feel.  That stress makes for short tempers which can lead to episodes of disrespect and bullying which plague our profession.  As leaders we can and should change that.

As Ted spoke about in the blog, we have to remember why we are here.   We are the ones who face challenges head on.  We take the risks and feel the sense of fulfillment when we have coordinated a job well done.   We are the ones who offer our shoulders for others to stand on.  So why are we shrinking from our responsibility as leaders?  I believe it’s because we don’t realize when our reserves have become low or even empty.

We have chosen to be in an awesome position that impacts lives and our profession.  You will be effective  when you give that inspiration we give to others to ourselves.  We need to remember what makes us tick.   Remember  what brings us joy and peace.   In order for us to love what we do again,  we have to get back in touch with ourselves.   Who are you?  What do you stand for?  It was the love of caring for others that we went into this profession.   You have to love you, care for you, enjoy you.   When you do, you can enjoy leadership again.   Fan the fame of making a difference.

I rejuvenate my soul with music and I like to laugh.  A merry heart does good like a medicine.  I bring my joy in the door with me in the morning.  I go with the attitude of Earth, Wind and Fire’s song, On Your Face:  “You can’t shake me the way I feel today for tomorrow I’ll feel the same old way” I may not always leave that way but the next day, It’s on!     

You set the tone!

What do you do to rejuvenate?

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Naomi Jones is a Registered Nurse, Certified Life Coach, Presenter and Motivational Speaker.  She specializes in helping nurses “Live Smarter not Harder” by taking care of themselves first then reaching out to others.  After all, you can’t give what you don’t have!  www.LifeCoachRN.com