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A repertoire of leadership attributes: an international study of deans of nursing
Author(s) -
Wilkes Lesley,
Cross Wendy,
Jackson Debra,
Daly John
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.12144
Subject(s) - patience , leadership development , nursing , courage , nursing management , psychology , passion , personal development , transactional leadership , qualitative research , medical education , medicine , public relations , sociology , political science , social psychology , law , psychotherapist , social science
Aim To determine which characteristics of academic leadership are perceived to be necessary for nursing deans to be successful. Background Effective leadership is essential for the continued growth of the discipline. Method A qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews with 30 deans (academics in universities who headed a nursing faculty and degree programmes) was conducted in three countries – Canada, England and Australia. The conversations were analysed for leadership attributes. Result Sixty personal and positional attributes were nominated by the participants. Of these, the most frequent attribute was ‘having vision’. Personal attributes included: passion, patience, courage, facilitating, sharing and being supportive. Positional attributes included: communication, faculty development, role modelling, good management and promoting nursing. Conclusion Both positional and personal aspects of academic leadership are important to assist in developing a succession plan and education for new deans. Implications for nursing management It is important that talented people are recognised as potential leaders of the future. These future leaders should be given every chance to grow and develop through exposure to opportunities to develop skills and the attributes necessary for effective deanship. Strategic mentoring could prove to be useful in developing and supporting the growth of future deans of nursing.