Gentleness: An Essential Leadership Skill for Today
In all of the management and leadership books we ever read, gentleness was never on the list of essential characteristics. Yet, gentleness may be the most important — and most underutilized — element of leadership.
All too often as leaders we feel that we need to make things happen. So we fall into the trap of pushing, pulling, and prodding ourselves and others to do what needs to be done. But time and time again we learn that we are more effective when we facilitate rather than force. Real leadership is gently guiding. Much like a midwife facilitates by coaxing, massaging, nudging, and encouraging while never actually being the one giving birth, we need to think of ourselves as gently guiding processes along. Of course, the skill is knowing when to remind others to breathe and when to tell others to push.
Now, in the midst of a seemingly endless pandemic, gentleness may be more a more important leadership skill than ever. We are all challenged with managing new experiences, an onslaught of new challenges, and the need to adapt, learn, and evolve. Underneath all of that is a bed of fear and exhaustion. Gentleness can take the edge off of all of that. To start, today, where can you be more gentle with yourself and with others?
About the Authors
Pam Thompson MS, RN, FAAN is the CEO Emeritus of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, formerly AONE. During the same time, 2000–2016, she was the Senior VP of Nursing for the American Hospital Association. After retiring in 2017, she now serves as a healthcare consultant and volunteer board member and trustee for several healthcare entities.
Marla Weston PhD, RN, FAAN is the past CEO of the American Nurses Association Enterprise which included the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Nurses Foundation, serving from 2009 to 2018. She now is a consultant and facilitator in leadership development, organizational strategy and growth, and future trends.
