Our Shared Purpose: Leadership

Serving as President of AORN for the past 12 months has been an honor and a privilege that I will cherish rest my life. am thankful opportunities this role provided me to engage with some brightest most innovative perioperative nurses leaders have ever met. is extraordinary association many reasons, but mostly because our members are extraordinary. It humbling experience lead Board Directors they focused on mission AORN. As consider challenges successes we experienced, also reminded lessons learned. Leadership journey learning, one which convinced never ending. While serving year taught much about association, learned importance three tenets effective leadership: courage, focus, valuing others. Poet author Maya Angelou emphasized fundamental significance courage when she said, “Courage important all virtues, without you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”1 This definitely true in relation leadership. In article Forbes magazine, Bill George, senior fellow at Harvard Business School, referred “defining characteristic great leaders.”2 He indicated courageous take risks inspire those around them. The certainly required leadership by There were no maps or how-to guides leading nursing professional through pandemic. Innovation rapidly became necessary skill response circumstances. truly impressive see headquarters team respond courageously creating completely new avenues education, network their peers, connect industry partners. Courage what allowed us step into unknown rather than succumb fear. proud work AORN, believe demonstrated further strengthens association. Although defining, must be grounded purpose. contemplated change industry, organizations, overall environment, thought sets leader apart during these times, keep coming back word focus. ability focus provides clear understanding priorities goals. At was vision, define innovation purpose can produce chaos misdirection. aligned help move organization forward. To describe rapid would understatement. changes experienced pandemic created tremendous pressure both personal lives. During stressful easily find ourselves dynamics pressuring trying control them—but not usually successful strategy. Instead attempting change, it seems people need from calming, stable allows them continue productive change. Some difficulty determining should be—I submit occurring work, organization, industry. part gift health care—our easy identify work. Throughout year, continued discuss “why” Why relevant nursing? What value patients serve? These discussions served reminders purpose, support promote safety. found even midst intense focusing very grounding. addition lesson become particularly poignant year. boardroom (or virtual year), saw firsthand needed each more ever. Many strong, self-reliant individuals, assist making decisions; however, who create strong teams. perspectives voices every member developed strategy navigate 2020–2021 makes group individuals—they team. time only connections, strength did decline; grew. dedication its members. complexity collective wisdom learning grateful Courage, others key principles moved forward unique time. 2020 remember challenges—I confident stronger prepared future. began theme “Our Shared Purpose: Safe Surgery Together,” having idea lie ahead. realize now African proverb quoted first message could better fit months: “If want go fast, alone. If far, together.” My presidency meetings, calls, connections. “Virtual President,” impact opportunity real. Thank serve thank do day provide excellent care represent profession excellence! David Wyatt, PhD, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, chief officer University Hospitals Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Dr Wyatt declared affiliation perceived posing potential conflict interest publication article.