NHS Leadership Framework Reflection

1.1 Review the range of groups and individuals whose communication needs must be addressed in own job role

This reflective essay is based on my strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities (SWOT) analysis (Appendix 1) in order to examine my leadership skills. Leadership is one of the essential component in nursing since all nurses are expected to demonstrate effective leadership skills to ensure patient’s well-being is protected and improve their experiences while receiving the care (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2015). Firstly, leadership will be defined within the context of the NHS and particularly nursing. Furthermore, some of the current health issues and challenges faced by health care practice that are related to poor leadership will be discussed. The essay will be continued by exploring various relevant leadership theories in relation to nursing practice and working within the Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs). Lastly, as mentioned earlier, I will also be reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses from practice, then develop a SMART (Specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-bound) action plan to improve my leadership skills which will be followed by a brief conclusion.

CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (England)

In order to my best, I set high standards for myself and my involvement in the organisation. However, it was important for me to avoid unrealistic expectations (Baird, 2016, p. 15). A concept I found useful was the notion of a ‘learning edge’. According to Baird

It’s important for me to identify my ‘Learning Style’ because it maximises my own personal learning; Honey and Mumford states ‘’each learner ought to understand their learning style and seek out opportunities to learn using that style’’ to do this. I’d say I’m very particular about the way I go about learning and I am not entirely open-minded in my approach to

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (England) (3978-51/52/53/54/55/56)

This reflective essay is based on the personal SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats) analysis, to examine my leadership potential. It will define leadership within context of the NHS leadership as well as highlight some of the current incidents relate to poor leadership. Additionally, it will briefly discuss some of the relevant leadership theories that can be applied to nursing practice whilst exploring my own leadership style. Lastly, this essay will reflect the scenario from practice to support my “strengths” and “weakness” whilst developing a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound) goal plan to address one of my weakness and then the conclusion will be drawn summarising the key points within the essay.

When I began this course I was very nervous because I had no idea of the scope of the course. I was unfamiliar with the Canadian education system and other students. After receiving instructions from my professor, I introduced myself to the person beside me and this process helped to break the ice. I developed a good friendship with the student and this technique used by the professor helped me develop better communication and relationship skills. After few classes, I felt very comfortable and the nervousness and anxiety faded away. I learned about leadership, power relationships in the profession, personal, cultural, professional and organizational, each of which is very important in the nurse’s career. I also gained knowledge regarding client centred care.

Working in the health care environment the world needs effective, wise and visionary leaders, leadership matters in every organisation to change the health care environment so it may continue to grow to ensure it gives us better evidence based practice (Evans & M.L, 2015, p 34-50). All health care professionals are required at some point in their position to engage in management or leadership. As an AIN, EN or RN they all have a responsibility to educate, lead and manage within the health care profession (Innis & Berta, 2016, p.2-22). This allows each individual to develop useful and excellent leadership skills and management strategies to be able to educate and lead an exceptional team (Innis & Berta, 2016, p. 2-22). Although our greatest

Growing up I would see my older brother and sister excel at leadership positions. My brother would always lead in his group projects and had a way with words that showed off his knowledge without being cocky. My sister, similarly, was in almost every club and led a hectic life. From dance competitions, to being the class secretary and organizing fundraisers, being part of the board of the National Honor Society (NHS), and leading community service projects. Due to this, I lived in my siblings’ shadow and was expected to grow up and excel as much as they had, or more.

To be a leader, by definition, means to lead or command a group or an organization. In the recent years, however, I have come to realize that being a leader can not be defined so simply. In fact, it is nearly impossible to define, given that each and every person has a different idea of what makes a leader, and who is qualified. For myself, a leader is someone whom I trust to make good and just decisions, listens and has a genuine care for the ideas and opinions of others, and leads by example, setting a good example and being role model for those around them. By becoming apart of the NHS, I hope that I myself can become this great leader, and further inspire my peers to achieve their goals and obtain greatness in education as well as

“It is unequivocally clear that leaders are not like other people” (Kirkpatrick and Locke, 1991, as cited in Northouse, P. G., 2016, p.22). I have always thought that I was not like other people; I see the world through a different lens. This difference, which sets me apart from my peers, has sometimes restrained my progress; however, after studying my differences and seeing them as strengths, I can now focus on these strengths that make me a unique, passionate, progressive leader. In reflecting on my leadership skills, I will analyze the results of the leadership questionnaires, as presented in Peter Northouse’s book, Leadership:Theory and practice (7th ed.), connect those result strengths with the

Rolfe, G. Jasper, M. Freshwater, D. 2011, Critical Reflection in Practice, 2nd edn, Macmillan Publishers Limited, Basingstoke, pp. 8 – 12

A person with this learning style excels in the capacity to examine situations from many angles and generate many ideas. Studies indicate that individuals with the diverging learning style are interested in people and are creative and expressive. They also tend to be fascinated in the arts and often have humanities or liberal arts backgrounds. Counselors, organizational development specialists, and human resource managers have exhibited this learning style. (casa colorado teaching seminar Kolb Learning Style Inventory Info pdf website, 2008)

Teamwork can be complex and challenging given task and interpersonal issues, level of group motivation and expected performance standards. The concrete experience spoken about in this reflection piece is in reference to the effectiveness of myself as a group member and the group, working to write a report outlining the organisation and structure of Volkswagen. Dennison (2009) applies Kolb’s learning cycle (1981, 1984) which suggests that learning moves through a continuous cycle, between having an experience, and then reflecting on that action. This cycle has been developed from Lewin’s (1951) model for experiential learning. Reflection termed by Boud, Keogh and Walker (1985) ‘is a forum of response to the learner to experience’(p. 18). On reflection, the early set group dynamics was a defining factor in the experience, and how the team conducted themselves throughout the task. Meyerson, Wick and Kramer (1996) note that ‘such rapidly converging groups require methods for developing “swift trust”’ (p. 8), which can explain why initial group dynamics are so important. I took on multiple team roles, including group leader, which could be translated into the team not performing collectively on a high level, however, I could view this as a personal ineffectiveness of my leadership style.