For the past couple of years, I have shared my leadership philosophy with you here on the blog through my Leadership Maxims series. Writing this series has been so enjoyable because it allows me to spotlight some truly remarkable employees who serve and lead in ways that make our organization better every single day.
Your stories of teamwork, leadership and dedication bring to life the maxims I wrote years ago based on my own experiences as a leader. These stories serve as reminders that leadership is a daily pursuit that empowers and inspires innovation.
I want to continue hearing and sharing your stories about your leadership journeys, but as I prepare for this year’s Leadership Maxims blog series, I’d like to do it a little differently. This year, I’m going to select five guest bloggers to share how the Leadership Maxims apply to them and their roles at Texas Children’s.
This will be the first time I’ve featured guest bloggers and I’m really excited! I’m looking forward to sharing this space with you and reading your thoughts on leadership.
How to submit a blog post for consideration
Choose one of Mark Wallace’s first five Leadership Maxims:
- Leadership always influences or determines outcomes – not some of the time, but all of the time.
- Leadership applies to everyone.
- We lead in our professional lives and in our personal lives.
- We all should have our personal definition of leadership.
- The key characteristics to look for when selecting people are a winning attitude and a strong work ethic.
If you’d like a refresher on Mr. Wallace’s Leadership Maxims before writing your submission, watch his short Maxims videos here on the blog.
Write about how that maxim applies to you and your job at Texas Children’s. Please keep your stories between 350 and 500 words.
Please email your submissions to Texas Children’s News at connectnews@texaschildrens.org.
Texas children’s has been apart of my journey for 4 years now and I am very thankful for the opportunities and experiences already made. Leadership is for all of us , title means nothing. Being apart of the different committees to help improve and motivate my fellow colleagues are a highlighted of my day. WE ARE BETTER AS A TEAM THEN TRYING TO TAKE ON ALL THINGS BY OURSELVES.
Leadership applies to everyone.
I completely agree with this statement from the hands that sweep our floors to the men and women who use their hands to reattach and artery, or fix a heart. These leaderships traits are learned by experience as I have learned from many people in my community to the men and women I have had the honor to serve with. You have to uplift everyone around you so you can uplift yourself it just takes the courage to do so. My journey with Texas Children’s Hospital began on April 23, 2018, one year ago, and as a Security Officer I am the face that everyone will first see upon coming to our buildings and more so on the floors. I believe that as a leader one of my biggest duties is to up lift staff members and guest. If we can lead with a positive environment even the simplest smile can and will help the recovery of a patient but also make staff aware they are appreciated. You don’t know when any of our TCH family members may need that listening ear, or kind words of encouragement to get them through one more surgery or one more healed patient. Lastly I’d love to leave you with this quote, “One random act of kindness at a time, and someday someone will do for you!”
Leaders Lead People. So true. It does not necessarily mean you have a big title or even bring in big financial gains. But it does mean you can set a goal, guide individuals and take initiative towards those goals daily.
As bedside nurses we implement that opportunity to lead daily. We lead our little patients entrusted to our care, our parents, our families. Even our doctors.
How? As a bedside nurse, I see myself as the leader of my patient and family for that shift. Part of my job is to educate my patient and family on what the “plan or goals are for the day.” We must educate them on what to expect, how things will transpire, and guide them each step of the way. Introduce them to the different healthcare providers, what their function or role is (ex. respiratory therapist, PT, OT, etc).
As a bedside nurse, we often lead our patients and encourage and reassure them when teaching them how to give an insulin injection, how to properly administer an NG feeding, learn their medications, etc. Support and positive reinforcement to accomplish their goals is part of leadership.
You even become more of a leader when you experience concern over a patient’s condition but realize you must take the lead in not passing on panic in an urgent sitx. When you explain to your parents what an RRT is and what to expect. When you call that doctor and update on patient condition and give them the option to come to the bedside or call the RRT. When they do get there, as a nurse you take the lead to calmly update the condition, what you have tried and even a gentle suggestion as to what you think needs to be done.
Plenty of leadership in the frontlines of bedside nursing. Proud to be a part of the TCH nursing team. By: Maria Aaly, RN, BSN 6 North Abercrombie
My journey with Texas Children’s began 17yrs ago when I gave birth to my son-Dx with Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation-CCAM Type III(Utero), by the wonderful Dr. Darrell Cass. It was a long road of faith & lots of prayer! The staff & doctors showed me leadership, love, compassion & never gave up on us. I decided through that journey that I wanted to give back to you what you gave to us-my 17yr old miracle. It took awhile, but I went to school, was hired on at Texas Children’s Pediatrics 3yrs ago & putting everything I have into making each day worth it. My personal life has been example of the leadership & compassion that I will show continuously to Texas Children’s & the patients.
One of the many wonderful things about Texas Children’s is the depth of our stories, and how those stories illustrate who we are and what matters to us. Across our system, there are countless examples of exceptional leadership happening every day. Often, the most impactful examples involve an individual employee leading us to a better place in his/ her interaction with a co-worker or a patient family. I look forward to reading the posts from your very first guest bloggers in the coming months!
Leadership to me means: TEAM and there is no I in TEAM. We all play a very valuable role each and everyday giving each patient the best quality of care possible. Treating all with the respect, kindness, compassion that should be given without any thought, like second nature. I have been apart of TCH for 2 years and I know that this is the place for me, loving on our children and parents and supplying them with the tools that are needed for them to feel better and be successful.
Leadership applies to everyone. I have served Texas Children’s for over 19 years in a variety of roles, and I continue to be amazed by how our culture both support and encourages employees to help everyone- patients, families, and each other.
One of the ways that we help each other is in leading by example. Every day brings a unique opportunity to show your passion for our mission and practice kindness and consideration with staff, children and their families. It happens in the simple moments, saying hello to colleagues on the shuttle. And in the complicated moments, when we are together supporting a family through an incredibly difficult time. We need to keep our eyes and ears open and our heads up. The opportunities to provide assistance, and to lead others, are endless in this environment, which can be overwhelming to many. When I encounter an individual who self-consciously informs me that she is “lost,” my response always, “No, you are just not where you want to be.”
When you lead, it is important to remain focused on the goal, which is for our patients to have the best outcomes, within the supportive environment that we provide. This environment is created through family centeredness, employee engagement, and commitment. And it extends to each and every one of us, whether we are a staff member or the CEO. Texas Children’s’ Hospital creates the environment for us to realize our best selves. We are fortunate to be among the best of the best and provide nothing short of exceptional for our children and families. Someone here once told me “I have never met a stranger.” What a wonderful way to look at the world!
My days are filled with anticipation, passion and an immeasurable enthusiasm for helping others. And that enthusiasm is fueled by my co-workers around me.
Sir
Wouldn’t it be a short miracle if you could have every child, his siblings, and his parents/caretakers given a FLU shot at their appointment time or after said appointment?
Two years ago 186 pediatric deaths were reported, 80 percent of those were not vaccinated, but you already know that. Humbly,
Elvia Stolzenburg
West Campus
Volunteer
In order to become a great leader, you have to understand your own attributes and limitations. Set the right example, being a leader. Setting the right example and role modelling how leaders want their teams to act and perform is crucial Seeking continuous self-improvement means that you will be strengthening your own skill set and ensure that you have the right skills to be an effective leader. As a leader, your team will look to you for guidance and inspiration. When things go wrong, they will turn to you to take corrective and decisive action. How you respond in times of adversity provides you with an opportunity to show an example of being a good leader. Get to know your team! You should always bear in mind that your team will be made up of individuals who have different outlooks and abilities and will be at different stages of their careers. Therefore it is vital to understand what makes them tick and to remember that what motivates one, won’t necessarily motivate another. A positive environment is more likely to create a more engaged and productive workforce. By displaying enthusiasm and confidence, a good leader will understand the impact that they can have in this working environment. Also a strong communication is a critical part of being a great leader. I ASPIRE TO ONE DAY BEING A LEADER @ TCHP!!
In order to become a great leader, you have to understand your own attributes and limitations. Set the right example, being a leader. Setting the right example and role modelling how leaders want their teams to act and perform is crucial Seeking continuous self-improvement means that you will be strengthening your own skill set and ensure that you have the right skills to be an effective leader. As a leader, your team will look to you for guidance and inspiration. When things go wrong, they will turn to you to take corrective and decisive action. How you respond in times of adversity provides you with an opportunity to show an example of being a good leader. Get to know your team! You should always bear in mind that your team will be made up of individuals who have different outlooks and abilities and will be at different stages of their careers. Therefore it is vital to understand what makes them tick and to remember that what motivates one, won’t necessarily motivate another. A positive environment is more likely to create a more engaged and productive workforce. By displaying enthusiasm and confidence, a good leader will understand the impact that they can have in this working environment. Also a strong communication is a critical part of being a great leader. I ASPIRE TO ONE DAY BEING A GREAT LEADER @ TCHP!!