You're a nurse striving to lead your team effectively. How does assertiveness play a role in your success?

Assertiveness comes from love, not fear. Love for your patient, love for your profession, love for your values. When we are assertive from a place of love, other can feel it. If we are assertive out of fear, fear of a boundary getting crossed, fear of getting in trouble, fear you aren't doing a good job it tends to be so much less effective. Nurses are ethically required to be assertive. We must advocate for our patients, or in Nurse Coaching we need to advocate for our clients. Not every boundary need to be an electric fence, but a firm smile. I think excellent leaders are able to slow down and ask questions instead of "informing or telling".

Assertiveness is key to leading your team effectively as a nurse. It allows you to communicate clearly, set boundaries, and advocate for both your team and patients. By confidently expressing your needs and expectations, you foster respect and collaboration, ensuring that everyone works together towards shared goals.

The following is how I've come to understand assertiveness after misunderstanding it when I was younger. Passiveness can lead to anger and resentment when others take advantage of your kind confidence. I've learned that controlling our actions & reactions with calm persistence that's neither self-sacrificing nor aggressive is assertive. Each of us must find the right balance. Clearly sharing with others what you expect establishes an expectation & a boundary. Others then know where the line is so they can choose their actions and reactions. The key is to respect both yourself and others by letting them know what's acceptable and what's not. Whether you then decide to remove yourself or stay is your choice as it is theirs.

Assertiveness is a talent as it is easy to slip into aggressiveness which will stifle conversation and dialogue and limit solutions rather than promote them. It is important to be honest, concise, open, and still maintain decorum and fairness. If you are not assertive the louder voices will drown out those who do not want confrontation and competition. Assertive means you will make your point and maintain professional communication BUT allow and support others as they express their points.

Assertiveness is crucial for a nurse in a leadership role. Here are some ideas on how it contributes to success: Clear Communication: Assertiveness helps in conveying expectations, instructions, and feedback clearly and confidently. This ensures that the team understands their roles, leading to more effective patient care. Boundary Setting: By being assertive, a nurse leader can set clear boundaries, ensuring that both they and their team maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout. Conflict Resolution: Assertiveness is key in addressing conflicts promptly and effectively, fostering a positive work environment. It allows the leader to handle disagreements or issues without aggression or passivity, leading to fair resolutions.

There is no place for passive or cryptic communication in healthcare. Communication needs to be clear and direct. This assertiveness provides the information needed to get the job done, and if not, it opens the floor for questions and clarifications. Whereas passive communication is too open-ended and broad. It is important to remain respectful and professional with all communication. This is a team approach, and each team member is a valuable piece of the puzzle for optimal patient health outcomes.

Un líder tiene que saber escuchar, saber mandar y sobre todo saber manejar al equipo. Un líder tiene que liderar el equipo para que todo el trabajo fluya y se pueda llegar a los objetivos marcados. Un líder que no sabe escuchar y que no es asertivo nunca será buen lider.

Todo debe girar entorno al paciente. Nunca podemos olvidar que el paciente es el eje central del cuidado. Por este motivo, el paciente debe de ser el protagonista principal.

Es uno de los puntos fundamentales para que el trabajo salga adelante y la empresa, organización, etc. salga adelante y mejoremos. El líder tiene que delegar y confiar en su equipo, porque si la elección de los compañeros ha sido la adecuada el trabajo saldrá adelante. Obviamente siempre con la ayuda de la persona que está al mando para cualquier tipo de necesidad.

Para crecer como profesional debemos de escuchar a las demás personas. Siempre podemos aprender de los demás, en la vida no sabemos todo. Por ello, hay que escuchar.