Читать книгу Leadership in Veterinary Medicine - Clive Elwood - Страница 63

The willingness to exercise power is essential for leadership and can feel uncomfortable, certainly when one first moves into leadership. Some professionals have a low ‘formal’ power motivation and do not want to bear the responsibility of leadership. This motivation can grow and may be specific to a given situational need. A socialised power motivation means you are willing to exercise power in the service of the greater good, not just for your own ends (a personalised power motivation). In the veterinary professions, which have a compassionate and broadly altruistic background, only a socialised power motivation is likely to be authentic and aligned with those around you.

With an excess of power motivation might the risk of moving into areas of overcontrol and a damaging focus on ends as opposed to means. When power motivation is not social, but is personalised, ends are for personal gain and might well be at the expense of others.

Without some drive to take on leadership, however, no one would step into leadership roles and we have seen the importance and benefit of leadership. Wanting to take on leadership is not something to be ashamed of, as long as the goals are benign.

Bernie had drifted along for a while, initially enjoying the early years as a veterinary assistant but having no interest in moving up the leadership ladder. For a while, Bernie's drive and enjoyment in veterinary work waned and she very nearly gave up the profession. Then she realised that there was a need to provide in‐house end of life care services and an opportunity to develop a meaningful, values driven business. Gradually, as a small business grew into a much larger enterprise, Bernie found that supporting, developing, encouraging, and directing others when the end goal was something she really cared about, was enjoyable, fulfilling, and worthwhile.

Admission of fallibility, of not knowing the way ahead, asking for help and time is not showing a lack of confidence. Quite the opposite. Admission of uncertainty in uncertain situations is honest and authentic. It offers others, who may have different and significant perspectives, the opportunity to contribute in a place of psychological safety. Do not be afraid to admit you do not know.