“The person you’re supposed to be is you. Get better at being you and be the best you that you can be” Wisdom in Leadership, Craig Hamilton.

There are two important premises to what I’d like to share:

1. I talk to myself… a lot. Sometimes it’s out loud, but mostly it’s in my head.
2. I love people… a lot.

Having completed my first degree five years ago and having worked in various jobs, sectors, and countries in the years following, my heart finally led me to start my midwifery training. It was an exciting feeling to have found a vocation that seemed to ‘click’ with my skills and character and where I could envision investing ‘me’ for most of my working life. I took my first step into a role where I could enthusiastically empower, compassionately care for, and wholeheartedly advocate for women and their families. When the opportunity to be part of the Student Leadership Academy (SLA)* arose then, I thought to myself (or should I say, said to myself) –

“Naomi, this would be a big challenge, but maybe it’ll be worth it.”

I should be clear – I’m not a ‘career person. I’m not here to make as much money as possible or get to the most senior position or have the office with the comfiest desk chair (although comfy chairs are always good). I just love people! I love seeing people thrive in life and their work when they discover a new skill or build their confidence because someone was willing to take the time to teach or facilitate them, encourage or support them, or just give them a chance! I think back to one of my managers before I started my midwifery training – she was a quietly courageous and strong woman with the most incredible ability to see people’s strengths and help them to discover this for themselves. And she created a team where people were thriving because everyone was reaching and even exceeding their potential.

That’s why I wanted to take part in the SLA – not because I felt I had much to offer, quite the opposite in fact, but because I have a firm conviction that each person is inherently unique and has something wonderful to offer the world. And I’d love to facilitate others discovering that about themselves.
On arriving at the first day of the SLA conference, I looked around to see a room full of people, everyone looking so colourful and confident, and I thought, 

“Naomi, what are you doing? This was a very silly idea. You’re not good enough for this.” 

In hindsight, behind the smiles and chats and colour, I think everyone in the room was probably feeling the same nerves. As I listened to the leadership journeys from various people within the NHS and/or healthcare roles, I noticed that at some point, they all mentioned themes relating to understanding themselves, figuring out their strengths and weaknesses, becoming more self-aware etc. This made me uncomfortable – I love celebrating other people’s strengths, but I don’t really have any of my own.

“Oh, bother! Naomi, you’ve been found out!”

As part of the SLA, I had the most wonderful opportunity to be coached by the Director of the Royal College of Midwives, Helen Rogers. Helen very insightfully ‘hit the nerve’ within a short time of us talking, and I had to confess that I had very few strengths but a list of weaknesses that would take months to recite. As Helen and I talked through this, I came to the realisation that my logic was utterly flawed: I thought everyone was unique and had something wonderful to offer the world except me.

“Naomi?! Are you that illogical?”

Slowly, through the SLA and coaching sessions, I have begun to realise (and must be reminded frequently) that I don’t have to be perfect. I can’t be! And that’s not the aim! As I’ve networked with leaders within midwifery, none have claimed perfection, but all have been able to sit comfortably with themselves, so to speak, recognising and building upon their strengths in order to lead well in their particular role. In his book, Wisdom in Leadership, Craig Hamilton highlights that for many of us, we are “fixated on trying to eliminate our weaknesses”. Hamilton, however, flips this on its head – “You have the most potential for growth in your areas of strength”.

Leadership, then, is about knowing your strengths – developing them, building on them – for the benefit of others. It’s also about acknowledging your weaknesses so that you can celebrate others’ strengths. This, Hamilton concludes, cultivates interdependence. It’s not about having a leader plus everyone else. It’s about building a cohesive, interdependent network of people who use their strengths to ‘fill the gaps where others are weak. In this way, everyone’s strengths are celebrated and built upon.

As my participation in the SLA draws to a close, I look back and see it as my first baby steps in leadership. Not steps ‘upwards’ towards a high-flying, senior position with a comfy desk chair (but as I said, I wouldn’t mind the comfortable chair). But in wanting to empower and facilitate others’ strengths, I’ve begun the challenging adventure of understanding myself better. It’s very early days, and the ‘Naomi’ in my head still gets frustrated quite often and is good at reminding me of that long list of weaknesses, but I’m learning…

“Naomi, celebrate your strengths, don’t get hung up on your weakness”.

Naomi Dixon, Midwife

Reference
Hamilton, C. (2015). Wisdom in leadership: The how and why of leading the people you serve. Sydney: Matthias Med.

*The Swansea Student Leadership Academy (SLA) offers innovative ways for developing leadership in future healthcare professionals. Drawing from and building on the success and lessons learned from the Council of Deans of Health, Student Leadership Programme and #150leaders the SLA has established an interprofessional leadership programme. It is designed to encourage and support students to develop and apply leadership skills and qualities to their own personal, professional and organisational context, with direct relevance to future employers. These emerging leaders will have skills and qualities to meet the needs of future employers. Targeted at 1st year health and social care professions’ students from the College of Human and Health Sciences and Medical School, the SLA offers exposure to leadership development through role-modelling, reflection, networking and coaching.
Using a coaching approach (rather than supervision or mentoring) the focus is about helping the student develop their leadership (management and followership) skills and approach, personally and professionally.