Standing tall in the storm, a blog by Sally Howard

Summary

We know the link between anxiety, stress, burnout and patient safety. This blog from Sally Howard suggests four things we can do to help us stand tall and continue to grow from strength to strength, both for ourselves and for our teams.

Content

I originally penned this blog in February 22. There was a storm raging, many records of wind speed were broken, and our services were standing tall against the odds. And here we are 2 years on, a storm is raging, we have an even greater demand for services, our services are still standing tall - well quite tall - and you and your colleagues are the many sails keeping it afloat.

Here’s four things that I hope will continue to help you stand tall: 

1. Take a moment to reflect on your contributions

The last 2 years have been tough, exhausting, but you have offered your best under the most challenging of circumstances. Take a step back, just for a moment. Take a proper look at your contributions. There will be things you say you could have done better (we are often our own harshest critics) but you have made a real difference. Allow yourself the opportunity to appreciate your contribution, how you kept your patients safe. Talk to your colleagues about this. Individually and collectively, you can feel very proud.

2. Seek out feedback

Sometimes people say they don’t receive feedback; it maybe they are too overwhelmed to receive it, others may be too busy to offer it. Whatever the reason, seek it out.

Appraisal meetings are a good starting point. Prepare for it, ask that all important question "How am I doing?". Check in in with colleagues – how did that go, what else could I be doing? The Healthcare Leadership Model also offers a great structured 360 opportunity.

3. What’s next?

As a coach, I often reference the magic triangle, especially when I work with people who have lost their mojo or are just secretly wondering whether it’s time for a new opportunity. A great job will give you:

1. Enjoyment – you can’t wait to get to work.
2. Challenge – you may have this daily, weekly. It can be exhausting but it’s also exhilarating. Supporting your team through the tough stuff, problem solving, enabling the right response. It’s what you do best.
3. Learning – in the right role for you, there will be learning.

If these three things are still very much in balance, great. If not it may be time to be thinking about your next role. No rush but it may be a consideration.

4. Look after yourself and each other

As I have said before in earlier blogs, seeking support is a sign of strength not weakness. There are services both internally and outside your organisation. In terms of external support, coaching and mentoring support is available via the NHS Leadership Academy: Coaching and Mentoring – Leadership Academy – just click on local coaching and mentoring offers.

 "She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails" Elizabeth Edwards

"She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails" Elizabeth Edwards

Read some of Sally's other blogs:

• Swimming with the tide
• Getting to grips with your imposter syndrome
• Keep your light shining bright – three tips
• I think you’re on mute…
• The art of wobbling: Part 1
• The art of wobbling: Part 2

About the Author

Sally has held national and local leadership roles within the NHS in a career spanning more than 30 years. A respected leader, passionate about improvement and inclusivity, she is trained in quality improvement methodologies and has spent the last 20 years in their practical application. She is a topic lead for the hub focussing on leading for improvement. She is also a practising coach because its rarely just about the ‘what’ you do, it’s also ‘the way that you do it’. She works with leaders of small and large teams as a thinking partner to help them be their ‘best selves’ at work.