Name
Chamberlain University
NR-703: Applied Organizational & Leadership Concepts
Prof. Name
Datea
Leadership is not simply an innate trait but rather a skill that evolves through education, self-reflection, and practical experience. Both formal academic training and informal learning opportunities play an important role in shaping an individual’s leadership ability. In today’s complex health care environment, effective leadership is vital to encourage innovation, promote evidence-based practice, and ensure sustainable improvements in patient care outcomes.
This paper provides a structured review of my leadership journey by analyzing personal strengths and weaknesses, designing strategies to enhance my professional practice, reviewing my curriculum vitae (CV), and presenting a detailed action plan for growth. This process will allow me to refine my leadership competencies and make a stronger contribution to nursing practice and health care advancement.
Self-assessment and reflection are essential components of leadership development. Identifying areas of strength provides opportunities to build confidence, while recognizing weaknesses allows for intentional strategies to promote growth.
Based on the Zenger-Folkman leadership framework, my strongest leadership attributes include communication, motivation, and teamwork. Each of these has a direct impact on my nursing leadership effectiveness:
Communication: Strong communication enables clarity in patient care and professional interactions. By actively listening, adapting communication styles to fit diverse audiences, and maintaining transparency, I foster trust and mutual respect in my workplace (Fisher, 2017).
Motivation and Inspiration: I aim to serve as a role model, recognizing the contributions of others while providing encouragement. This leadership approach helps create a culture of positivity and continuous improvement.
Teamwork: Collaboration is central to nursing leadership. By offering support, assisting peers in overcoming challenges, and ensuring group contributions are valued, I reinforce a team-based approach rather than a hierarchical one.
Despite these strengths, I continue to face challenges in several key areas:
| Weakness | Impact on Leadership |
|---|---|
| Indecisiveness | Causes delays in adopting best practices and generates uncertainty within the team. |
| Difficulty with long-term goals | Restricts the ability to establish a strategic vision and set ambitious future targets. |
| Complacency with outcomes | Reduces momentum as progress may stall when short-term achievements are viewed as sufficient. |
These weaknesses are often rooted in self-doubt and fear of failure. Addressing them is essential for developing confidence and advancing as a transformational leader.
To strengthen these weaker areas, I plan to:
Seek Mentorship and Preceptorship: Learning from experienced leaders will provide practical insight into effective decision-making and visionary goal setting.
Engage in Professional Development: Attending leadership workshops, conferences, and reviewing scholarly literature will improve my leadership toolkit.
Build Peer Support Networks: Regular constructive feedback from colleagues will help me identify blind spots and track progress in overcoming indecisiveness.
Leadership is most effective when collective strengths are utilized. My approach to leveraging team strengths includes:
Delegation: Assigning long-term planning tasks to specialized committees to enhance inclusivity and creativity.
Shared Responsibility: Allowing skilled team members to monitor progress and hold the group accountable.
Promoting Collaboration: Encouraging team discussions ensures organizational goals are met through shared ownership rather than individual effort.
A curriculum vitae (CV) serves as a detailed record of professional growth, highlighting education, experience, accomplishments, and areas for further development. Using the Chamberlain University template, my CV currently reflects my academic background, certifications, and experience as both a nurse practitioner and adjunct faculty member.
Reviewing my CV reveals notable achievements in teaching and mentorship, particularly through my roles as preceptor and adjunct faculty. These experiences demonstrate my ability to guide future providers and contribute to nursing education. However, gaps remain, particularly in the areas of scholarly publications, academic research, and presentations at professional conferences.
To address the gaps identified in my CV and to strengthen my leadership and professional profile, I have designed a clear action plan.
Present at a national or regional nursing conference within the next three years.
Collaborate on academic research projects and contribute to scholarly publications within five years.
Expand networking opportunities by actively participating in professional organizations such as the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH).
To maximize opportunities and address personal weaknesses, I will:
Attend annual professional leadership seminars to enhance evidence-based leadership practices.
Actively participate in mentorship programs across my workplace and academic settings.
Apply structured decision-making frameworks, such as SWOT analysis or root cause analysis, to reduce indecisiveness and improve long-term goal achievement.
In today’s evolving health care system, leadership from doctorally prepared nurses is critical to promoting innovation and improving outcomes. My self-assessment highlights strong communication, motivation, and teamwork skills, while also identifying weaknesses in decision-making and long-term planning. By engaging in mentorship, professional development, and collaborative strategies, I aim to transform these weaknesses into opportunities for growth.
My CV reflects a strong foundation in teaching and mentoring but highlights the need for greater scholarly contribution. Through my action plan, I will strengthen my leadership, contribute to nursing research, and engage more fully in professional organizations. By maintaining a lifelong commitment to growth, I aspire to become a more effective leader and advance the role of evidence-based practice in nursing.
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Chamberlain University. (2020). Chamberlain guidelines for writing professional papers. Adtalem Global Education.
Fisher, S. (2017). Developing nurses’ transformational leadership skills. Nursing Standard, 31(51), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2017.e1085
