I have worked for many managers, but very few leaders. Fitzpatrick and Glazier do a great job in their book, Nursing Leadership from the Outside In, explaining the difference between the two. These specifically stand out for me – in regards to perspective, the leader’s vision is “long-range with an eye on the horizon” whereas the manager’s vision is “short-range with an eye on the bottom line.”  I especially like their take on actions of the two. A leader “does the right thing” whereas a manager “does things right.”  I think to be a good, successful leader, one has to have the qualities of a leader as well as some qualities of a manager. But overall, the qualities of a leader will prove to be much more successful in obtaining the followers one needs.

I think nursing leadership requires more of these qualities than say perhaps the manager of an accounting firm. The type of profession one is in may determine the type of leadership/managerial skills required.

Nurse leaders are role models, they must have compassion, be of an honest character, and show emotional maturity. Not only that, but they must be gusty, willing to put themselves on the line for patient advocacy and standing for what they believe in.

I don’t think my idea of nurse leadership was changed with the reading. But it did help put into words how I envision nursing leadership.

As for leadership qualities I have seen in myself…well, I’ve been told many times that I have leadership qualities. I am always surprised when I hear that, because I try to stay under the radar as much as possible. Although, now that I am an RN, I am finding that I have a desire to be a leader, something that I had no interest in before.