Nurturing Growth through Gentle Leadership: Embracing Feedback, Accountability, & Empathy Part 2
Nikolaos S. Moraros EdD, MSHSA, MSN, RN, PHN
Nurse ? Educator ? Researcher ? Advocate ? Founder of S.I.M.P.L.I.C.I.T.Y A Prelicensure Theoretical Academic Framework.
Today's article continues the original, "A Comprehensive Approach to Building a Culture of Gentle Leadership." Please see the link below:
As we continue reviewing all aspects of gentle leadership, we see it as a beacon for empathy, collaboration, and supportive guidance dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of individuals.
At its core lies the art of gentle feedback, embodying compassion, clarity, and accountability, creating a culture that thrives on continuous improvement and challenging the status quo.
Within the gentle leadership framework, gentle feedback is distinguished by its empathetic delivery, aiming to acknowledge achievements and shed light on areas for improvement.
It directs attention to actions rather than personal attributes, ensuring feedback remains constructive and free from personal judgment. This approach fosters a culture where individuals feel genuinely valued and supported.
Practically, gentle feedback is synonymous with clear and specific communication, avoiding vague comments in favor of actionable insights and examples.
Moreover, gentle feedback seamlessly integrates accountability measures. It introduces joint responsibilities and collaborative checkpoints to address challenges and ensure progress.
In a team collaboration context, a leader recognizing consistently missed deadlines might suggest, "How about setting up a brief check-in at the start of each week to review our goals and any potential obstacles? This will ensure we're on track and support each other better."
This emphasis on joint responsibility encourages proactive steps to address challenges collectively.
Additionally, gentle feedback embraces a two-way dialogue, inviting individuals to share perspectives and insights. This collaborative approach validates experiences and promotes a sense of ownership, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
In addressing employee performance, a manager could integrate accountability with gentle feedback: "To maintain our high standards, how about having a quick review together before finalizing the reports? This can be a helpful checkpoint to catch potential errors and provide a chance for knowledge sharing."
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This collaborative review process fosters shared responsibility for quality output and encourages knowledge exchange.
The philosophy of gentle feedback within gentle leadership resonates with the wisdom of Maya Angelou, emphasizing the lasting impact of how people are made to feel.
Winston Churchill's notion of the price of greatness being responsibility aligns seamlessly with the essence of accountability embedded in gentle feedback.
Simon Sinek's perspective on leadership as caring for those in your charge echoes the collaborative dialogue nurtured by gentle feedback.
In practical terms, Ken Blanchard's insight on feedback being the breakfast of champions underscores the transformative power of constructive feedback.
George Bernard Shaw's observation on communication's biggest problem highlights the need for clear, actionable, and empathetic feedback.
Stephen Covey's idea that accountability breeds response-ability strengthens the integration of accountability measures within gentle feedback, encouraging proactive steps toward growth and improvement.
Lastly, Mahatma Gandhi's moral compass underscores the importance of owning one's actions, aligning with gentle leadership's emphasis on personal responsibility within the collaborative framework of gentle feedback.
In essence, gentle leadership, fortified by empathetic and accountable feedback, creates a nurturing environment, cultivating a culture where individuals feel empowered, valued, and supported, bringing out the greatness within each team member.
Embracing these principles enables leaders to facilitate continual learning, development, and success within their teams and organizations.
Nikolaos, Happy Holidays! Exciting to see your commitment to leadership excellence. What key strategies have you found most effective in fostering a culture of gentle leadership in higher education?