Developing self-awareness for effective nurse leadership

Nurs Manag (Harrow). 2024 May 22. doi: 10.7748/nm.2024.e2124. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Self-awareness is a crucial component of effective leadership. Leaders who are self-aware exhibit an understanding of their strengths and limitations, as well as an ability to manage their emotions and those of their team members. Heightened self-awareness and understanding of oneself and others can have benefits in terms of increasing confidence and enhancing communication. Moreover, nurse leaders and managers need self-awareness to identify their strengths and weaknesses, navigate complexities, foster positive relationships and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. This article defines self-awareness, discusses its importance for nurse leadership and identifies various tools and methods that nurses can use to develop their self-awareness.

Keywords: leadership; leadership development; leadership skills; personal development; professional; professional development; professional issues.