I thought it would be fitting to share my vision for ENA with you in this message.
My vision for ENA was not created by me alone but was created in part by those who came before me. What ENA is, who we are, and how we develop as an organization is a tapestry. Hopefully, as the baton is passed and the legacy grows, we will build on the work of those who came before, which is what I hope to do. In realizing my vision, I have reflected on my personal passion—leadership—as well as on the past 3 years, to see how I could build on the work of my predecessors. In the end, I realized my vision is a weaving together of both my passion for leadership and the work of my predecessors.
For the past 3 years, each president has selected a word to represent her term. In 2005, Patricia Howard-Kunz selected transparency, which implies openness, communication, and accountability. In 2006, Nancy Bonalumi selected agility, which implies having the capability to respond to unexpected environmental changes—to be quick moving and nimble. And most recently, in 2007, Donna Mason focused on fluidity, being capable of flowing and changing shape at a steady rate when acted upon by a force.
Each of these words represents important leadership characteristics. During the past 3 years we have focused primarily on applying these characteristics on the organizational level; my goal is to focus more on the individual level. While it is important that we continue to work on the organizational level, we must focus on the individual as well if we are truly going to realize our full potential as an organization.
My personal passion is leadership and personal development. Developing oneself and honing our personal leadership skills is no easy task, but it is essential. It requires great self-awareness and self-discipline and that we become consciously aware of the things we typically are not conscious of. It requires us to move outside of our comfort zone and take reasonable risks.
I have conceptualized a leadership model in which there are 3 domains of leadership: individual leadership, one-on-one leadership, and collective leadership. We each need to work on developing and honing our skills in all 3 leadership domains; however, the most important domain is individual leadership.
The process of personal leadership development is a journey. While it is a different journey for each of us, there are also similarities in the challenges we will face. It is important that we help each other, learn from each other, and support each other along the way. Some pearls of wisdom from my journey to date include the following:
1.Mentoring: We all need mentors, no matter how novice or expert we are. We need to not only be mentored, but we should each be a mentor to someone else.
2.Diversity: We must learn to honor the diversity in our lives and relationships. Diversity represents our greatest strength; we must honor our differences and use each other's talents to make us stronger, not weaker.
3.Fear: Fear is a powerful enemy; it keeps us in our comfort zones and stifles our growth. To do things that are out of your comfort zone will create a level of anxiety or fear, but to have accomplished those things will bring you new confidence and perspective on your ability and the world you live in.
4.Networking: The value of a strong network cannot be overrated. The journey of personal leadership development is not easy; it is hard work, with disappointment and joy. You will need a robust network to help you through, to encourage you, to challenge you, and to pick you up along the way.
5.Failure: Do not fear failure; it is not always the worst that can happen. It often opens new doors and creates new opportunities for us. Our failures will make us stronger and wiser if we let them.
6.Role modeling: We are each potentially role models. The more you pursue and progress on your journey of personal leadership development, the more you will be watched by those around you. You will be a role model; sometimes you will be aware of this and other times you will not even know you are being watched, but rest assured, you are being watched.
7.Balance and rejuvenation: Each of us will bring balance and rejuvenation into our lives in different way, but however you get it, it is important. The journey is long, demanding, and at times difficult. You must take care of yourself.
Today the year before me is still a dream; it will quickly be a memory. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and to represent you as emergency nurses. I look forward to working with, and for, each of you!
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