Irrespective of title, all nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners are leaders in their organizations. If you are new in the NPD practitioner role or want to further refine your management and leadership skills, this article describes some management and leadership skills you can use in your daily activities as a leader.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
As managers, NPD practitioners have a formal role in the organization with responsibilities for staffing, budgeting, and daily operations to meet learning and professional development needs that achieve desired outcomes. As leaders, NPD practitioners inspire and motivate team members to achieve the organization's mission and vision efficiently and effectively. All NPD practitioners have a leadership role. Management and leadership skills are discrete, but complementary with management skills forming a framework to develop leadership skills. In the NPD department, practitioners as formal managers are accountable for departmental operations and outcomes, guidance and development of staff members, allocation of financial resources, quality improvement processes, program/project management, oversight of academic-practice partnerships, and promotion of the NPD specialty (Reilly, Harper, & Smith, 2016).
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
NPD staff members must be competent in their performance of job duties, and the department's staffing model and managerial responsibilities should reflect this. The NPD practitioner as manager is responsible for departmental activities such as "hiring, counseling, and disciplinary strategies; timely performance evaluations; team-building strategies; effective delegation; organization of department workload; interdisciplinary team coordination; and adoption of new technology" (Reilly et al., 2016, pp. 39-40). Additional skills to sharpen the NPD practitioner's management proficiencies are needed in financial administration, quality improvement methods, and program/project management practices. As technology continues to evolve, the NPD practitioner as manager must develop learner-centric approaches to learning, including multiple, interactive technological methods, such as "game-based learning, crowdsourcing, blending the digital and physical worlds, social media, and visual learning" (Johnson, 2016, p. 158). Management of academic-practice partnerships requires collaboration and networking with faculty members to provide clinical experiences that enhance students' professional growth and development. Mutual interaction with academic partners creates an opportunity for the NPD practitioner to contribute to the academic curriculum as a valued liaison.
A vital aspect of the NPD practitioner's role as manager is the prospect of advocating for the NPD specialty by engaging in environmental scanning, applying evidence-based practice to educational activities, conducting evidence-based education research, and sharing knowledge with others via publications and/or presentations. Involvement and advocacy in interprofessional and other decision-making groups is an avenue for change that advances the NPD specialty (Reilly et al., 2016).
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
All NPD practitioners function in a leadership role. These leadership attributes complement and the managerial skills set. Dr. Vickie Hughes, an associate professor at Appalachian State University, reviewed 10 national and international research studies from 2002 to 2015 to identify characteristics of great nurse leaders. This review emphasized the importance of interpersonal relationships that promote trust and empowerment of team members. Expert knowledge and awareness of situational context can influence the nurse leader's ability to mentor others, serve as a role model, and communicate effectively to connect with and influence others (Hughes, 2017).
The leadership characteristics described by Hughes (2017) include integrity, accessibility, motivation of others, emotional capability, and social intelligence. Integrity is exemplified by honesty, and actions that are consistent with beliefs and values. Leaders must be open and approachable with the ability to motivate others by supporting and empowering them. Emotional capability or capacity requires caring, empathy, awareness of others, and emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence can be developed through team building and executive coaching to enhance social skills and regulate behaviors. This is a quality of great leaders that empowers others to achieve positive organizational outcomes. Combined with social intelligence, the NPD practitioner as a leader must exhibit political insight, organizational savviness, and the aptitude to influence others (Hughes, 2017). The aforementioned leadership characteristics are reflected in three behaviors: mentor, role model, and effective communicator. As a mentor, the NPD practitioner uses reflective practice, empowers others, and supports professional growth. A role model leads by example and adjusts his or her style to the context of the situation and setting. Effective communication is essential to establish and maintain successful relationships and collaboration. The NPD practitioner as a leader also demonstrates expert knowledge and skills in evidence-based education, critical and rapid thinking skills, and the ability to adapt to different situations (Hughes, 2017).
The NPD practitioner, as a manager and leader, combines both qualities to create a healthy work environment that supports professional growth and development of self and others. Leadership traits and managerial skills increase empowerment and positive interpersonal communication within the department and organization. The NPD practitioner serves as a role model and mentor to others, and mutual respect and trust lead to shared decision-making (Reilly et al., 2016). The leader's ultimate reward is guiding protegees to innovative accomplishments resulting in positive patient and organizational outcomes as well as personal and professional success. The May/June Leadership column will explore formal and informal options for the NPD practitioner's professional development to advance management and leadership skills.
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