What do you do if you're a nurse lacking the confidence to step into leadership roles?

Remember that many nurses struggle with lacking confidence in taking on leadership roles. However, this is something that can be overcome with the right approach. Building confidence is a gradual process, so it's okay to take small steps towards your goals

1. Nurse Leader
Development:
Empowering
Nurses To Be
Effective Leaders
Joven Botin Bilbao, PhD-DA, MAN, USRN
Director of Nursing
Al Hayat National Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2. Whatdoyoudoif
you'reanurselacking
theconfidencetostep
intoleadershiproles?

3. 1.
Identify Your Strengths and
Weaknesses

4. Identify Your
Strengths and
Weaknesses
•Thefirststeptobecomingamoreconfident
leaderistoassessyourcurrentskillsand
abilitiesandidentifyyourstrengthsand
weaknesses.Youcanusevarioustools,such
asself-assessments,feedback,ormentorship,
togainarealisticandhonestpictureofyour
performanceandpotential.
•Byknowingyourstrengths,youcanleverage
themtoenhanceyourleadershipstyleand
impact.Byknowingyourweaknesses,you
canaddressthemthroughlearning,practice,
orsupport.

5. 2.
Set SMART
Goals and
Action Plans

6. Set SMART Goalsand Action Plans
The next step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART) goals for your leadership development,
and create action plans to achieve them. For example, if you want
to improveyour communication skills, you can set a goal to
attend a workshop, read a book, or practice a techniquewithin
a certain time frame. By setting SMART goals and action plans,
you can track your progress, celebrate your achievements, and
stay motivated.
Define specific leadership goals that you
want to achieve. Break down these goals into
smaller, actionable steps you can gradually
work on. For example, you are seeking out a
mentor or additional education before
starting your leadership journey.

7. 3.
Seek
Feedback and
Support

8. Seek Feedback
and Support
•Another important step is to seek
feedback and support from others who
can help you grow as a leader. You can
ask for constructive feedback from
your colleagues, managers, mentors,
or coaches on your strengths and areas
for improvement.
•You can also seek support from your
peers, professional networks, or online
communities who can share their
experiences, insights, or advice with
you.
•By seeking feedback and support, you
can learn from others, improve your
skills, and build your confidence.

9. 4.
Embrace
Challenges
And
Opportunities

10. Embrace Challenges
And Opportunities
•One of the best ways to boost your
confidence and leadership skills is to
embrace challenges and opportunities
that come your way. Instead of
avoiding or fearing them, see them as
chances to learn, grow, and
demonstrate your value. For example,
you can volunteer to lead a project,
take on a new responsibility, or apply
for a promotion.
•By embracing challenges and
opportunities, you can expand your
comfort zone, overcome your self-
doubt, and showcase your potential.

11. 5.
Reflect and
Celebrate

12. Reflect and
Celebrate
•The final step is to reflect and
celebrate your leadership journey.
You can use various methods, such
as journaling, debriefing, or
reviewing, to reflect on your
actions, outcomes, and lessons
learned. You can also celebrate
your successes, big or small, by
rewarding yourself, acknowledging
your efforts, or sharing your
achievements. By reflecting and
celebrating, you can reinforce your
confidence, appreciate your
growth, and inspire yourself to
keep learning and leading.

13. Take Away
Advice:
Lackingconfidenceinsteppinginto
leadershiprolesisacommon
challengeformanynurses,butit's
somethingthatcanbeaddressed
andovercomewiththeright
approach.Rememberthatbuilding
confidenceisagradualprocess,and
it'sokaytotakesmallstepstowards
yourgoals.