When did I first look into the mirror and then into my soul and decide, "Wow, I am a sage!" It happened about six months ago when someone said I was too old to be on the cover of a magazine. I declared, "I am not too old. I am now a sage and sages are valued."
If you have been a chief nurse executive or other c-suite officer for more than 10 years, you should know that your accumulated skills and knowledge are creating the sage in you. You have learned to perceive with your senses the best path forward without always consulting a map. At the core of your skills, you have learned how to read people and empathetically understand their aspirations, fears, and talents.
With your sage hat on, people seek your creative advice without regard to your title or status. Put your officer's hat back on and people ask for your policies, procedures, and payroll.
Similar to mentors, sages are colleagues whose voice you find comfort in. So I have surveyed colleagues in nursing leadership and asked what sage advice they would offer to us. Here are the responses to the four questions.
1: What advice would you give a CNE, COO, or CEO about living a full and rewarding life with personal and professional balance?
The recurring response was to not let work become the number one priority and to never lose sight of your values.
Few of us have taken the time to identify core values, define those values in terms that will reflect visible behavior, and hold ourselves accountable to exhibit those behaviors. If you value your family and your personal care, define how you will exhibit those behaviors and hold yourself accountable to those values. As we expect employees to hold and respect the values of the organization, we must respect our own personal values.
Respondents said things such as, "The organization will continue with or without you," "Balance between home and work is critical to your survival," and "Do not have the expectation that your work will help you take time to care for yourself."
2: What advice can you offer about being a continuous learner?
Respondents said things like, "Awe, wonder, and a spirit of discovery are the birthright of every human being. Too often it becomes restrained in adulthood," "Being afraid of what we don't know is a death notice," "You know you can learn just about anything," and "See everyone you meet as someone from whom you can learn."
Closing oneself off from diverse education experiences is the slaughter of the brain. I have taken on the challenge to try and stay up to date with things like iPhones?, social media, writing and reading, and attending a variety of different professional associations' meetings. I have found it extremely helpful to attend meetings of professionals from disciplines other than my own and hear, learn, see, and have conversations with other professionals.
3. How is the expression and experience of love how it is reflected in their work?
I have found when I love the work I do, the work loves me back. You will spend so much time with the people with whom you work, it's important to strive to surround yourself with individuals who are both competent and personable, have a good sense of humor, and who share your values.
Respondents said things like, "Don't walk over friends, employees, or family as you move up the ladder" And "When your personal life is fulfilling, meaningful, and happy, it shows in your work life."
4. What advice would you share about laughter and the role of humor, especially in the face of adversity?
Laughing at yourself and finding a few others who can laugh with you and at you is a key. Most respondents share the experience that when everything seems to be falling apart, humor is the thing that will get you and your staff through. They said things like, "The folks who laugh with you, will help you," And "Healthcare is tough. Humor makes it bearable."
Humor seems to be a great stress reducer for most of us.
In summary, the sage advice I offer is:
- Declare yourself a sage, without embarrassment about your age
- Know your limits
- Know and define your values
- Commit to exhibiting behavior that illustrates your values
- Evaluate how you balance family, work, and you
- Take time to do the things that you and your inner child enjoy
- Venture outside of your comfort zone into the unfamiliar
- Feed your intellectual curiosity as if it is ravenously hungry
- Surround yourself with people who share your values
- Never stop laughing out loud; laughter unites people and reduces stress
Betty Noyes, RN, MA, is president of Noyes & Associates, Ltd., a nationwide healthcare consulting service. For more information, visit www.noyesconsult.com.