THE AWARDS: A REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP

As the winner of this year's Leadership award, Richard Deverson reflects on what leadership really means:

A lone working care assistant delivering personal care to a vulnerable gentleman... 

A housekeeper in a large home ensuring all areas are clean and fresh for the day ahead...

Delivering critical medications during a busy shift...
Reminiscing with a group talking about working lives or favourite holiday destinations...
Singing and dancing, smiling and laughing along...
 
At every level in our caring profession we are all leaders intuitively - to think too hard about it might induce a feeling of pressure on ourselves to perform, which in itself can be counter productive.  We must work in a framework that supports initiative and encourages reflective practice to deliver the best care we can. With this in place, at  every hour of every shift in every care setting we all demonstrate skills that we do not even have to think about; in doing so, we all ensure that we guide and support those in our care to achieve and enjoy the best days that they can. 
 
Those who have the responsibility for setting the strategic direction of an organisation are mere noise makers and paperwork generators who can become 'process monkeys' if they ever lose sight of the importance of supporting and understanding those who work on the front line. I accepted the award for excellence in leadership on behalf of all those who work in care, particularly of course at Windmill House and Osbourne Court, who demonstrate these leadership skills every hour of every shift - the award, whilst it may have one name on it is dedicated to them all.