YOU DO NOT NEED A TITLE TO BE A LEADER
Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; Good leaders raise the bar for others; Great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar. - Orin Woodward
This issue is about "Boundary Spanning Leadership." As I read the aforementioned quote, I thought about how real leadership is, not a title or position. It is about one's actions, being an encourager and a positive influence on others' professional development and practice.
In reading the manuscripts for this edition, it was clear that the professionals who authored them are true leaders. Some have the formal title, and others were leading through their passion for excellence, innovation, support for colleagues, and inclusivity. A common thread was their focus, determination, and a "can-do" attitude. Another was creating and sustaining a workplace environment that is caring and inviting and supports each other.
Mia Malcolm, BS, in her article on Racism as Preventable Harm, shares her passion, leadership, and commitment to helping her organization become an anti-racist organization. Leading an organizational assessment to review the history of her organization, she identifies the evolution of an all-White children's hospital to one where they are creating tools to prevent harm from racist discrimination. Ms Malcolm and her nurse colleagues have taken a leadership role in their institution, profession, and community using evidence and tools to help decrease health disparities.
Dr Lesly Kelly recognized a need to support nurses in her state who were stressed and challenged by the extreme care needs of patients during the pandemic. She knew the nurses needed support and many a time they would not take time to find the resources they needed to care for themselves. She and her colleagues developed a text messaging process to "push out" to nurses evidence-based resources to help decrease stress and improve their well-being. How amazing that something to help colleagues in Dr Kelly's state is now expanded to nurses in 17 other states.
As we continue to create our new normal, let's work together to develop and support a culture in our profession and organizations that has a strong set of values and actions around diversity, collaboration, innovation, encouragement, and improvement. Caring for and about each other gives us all strength to be better professionals and provide exceptional care to our patients.
-Rhonda Anderson, DNSc, RN, FAAN, FACHE
Guest Editor