The importance of leading with care

When reviewing the need for psychological support for healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lusher et al (2020) reflected that the level of support needed by those who have worked in health care during the pandemic should not be underestimated.

In a short film on leading in the COVID-19 pandemic produced by The King's Fund (Berwick, 2020), Don Berwick, President Emeritus of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, urged leaders to:

‘Nurture and care for yourself … look after each other and be able to talk about the emotional side of leading through the pandemic.’

Professor Berwick reflected on the importance of the ability of a leader to enable a sense of stability and moderation, as staff inevitably will look to their leaders for confidence and inclusivity for solving issues. He said that it is important that leaders are able to convey a sense of confidence and honesty about both what is known and unknown, and for the need for platforms for exchange and storytelling. His final point was on the importance of reserving time to enquire how we are doing—opening conversations with ‘what matters to you?’ This is key to creating deeply personal engagements, an understanding of what really matters to individuals, and is the foundation of developing genuine partnerships for co-creating health.