title: Leadership: a peak and perk of professional development.
abstract: Leadership doesn't just happen. It's not a default, or something an individual does because no one else would do it. It takes time, energy, and commitment to recognize and develop one's own skills. It takes the willingness to risk and follow through when a trusted, valued colleague recognizes potential and makes the commitment to help you grow and develop. Leaders are those who accept the challenge and work first to strengthen/grow their abilities and then accept the challenges of leadership to lead others to achieve a common vision and goals. At the same time, leaders are removing barriers, scouting for talent, and developing additional leaders because they realize that part of being a leader is recognizing the potential in others (just as someone recognized their potential). Leaders help us confront and deal with the challenges of today, tomorrow, and the distant future. But leadership starts where you are in the here and now. You can become a leader (or be a stronger leader) if you have the drive and support along the way. What leaders are and do--leadership--has a life cycle that breathes confidence into developing leaders, strengthens current leaders, and plans for the succession of others into leadership positions. It can be hard work but work worth doing. So, here's the bottom line: CAN you be a leader? Yes. WILL you be a leader? That's up to you.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA. schira@uta.edu
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schira
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008611:Mentors; D009398:Nephrology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013041:Specialties, Nursing; D014481:United States