Interview a person in a formal position of leadership within your organization (e.g., a supervisor, a manager, a director).

As a nurse, I conducted an interview with a manager at a facility in which I am employed. The manager’s role as a health care team member is to provide leadership, manage the staff, and ensure that the facility is meeting the needs of patients. Her emphasis was that as a member of a health team, you must collaborate with others professionals and work together to improve patient outcomes.

The manager believes that professionalism is the behavior and attitude which reflects the ethics and values of the profession. It is important to be professional in order to provide quality care for patients. This includes being responsible and accountable towards colleagues and patients.

She considers herself to be a steward in healthcare, as she’s responsible for making sure that all standards are met. Her emphasis was that healthcare is about meeting the patients’ needs. As a steward her job is to meet those needs while maintaining the highest standards of care.

When working with co-workers, leaders must demonstrate professionalism and authenticity. These qualities help build trust, encourage collaboration and create a positive workplace. Managers believe that in order to achieve the goal of quality patient care, leaders need to exercise their influence and power with professionalism and authenticity, while respecting others’ perspectives and contributions.

Overall, my impression of the manager’s responses is that she is a dedicated leader who is committed to ensuring that the healthcare facility provides quality patient care while promoting a positive work environment for staff. She values leadership in encouraging collaboration amongst colleagues and understands how professionalism impacts patient outcomes. She is a true steward in healthcare, as her leadership style emphasizes responsibility, accountability and respect towards patients, co-workers and healthcare organizations.