Moving from a senior leadership role as Chief of Quality in Mumbai to a fresh start as a Band 5 nurse in the UK was a big transition, bringing both challenges and opportunities. In this film, Pearl Cruz, Senior Cancer Research Nurse at Heartlands, reflects on her journey and how those experiences have shaped the way she now leads her team. Pearl shares what she’s learnt from working alongside experienced colleagues, why supporting others to develop matters to her, and how the encouragement and trust she’s received from her own manager influences the way she leads and supports her team.
3 Quotes to lead by...
1. LEARN FROM YOUR TEAM
‘I think it’s all about understanding that you may not know everything. You have a lovely team, who knows a few parts of it; you know a few parts of it. Somebody else knows a little more, and I think that’s how we complete each other as a team. I’m a very participative leader when it comes to that. That is very important.’
Q. Where could a colleague’s experience help you with something you find difficult, and how could you ask for their help?
2. GIVE PEOPLE YOUR BACKING
‘So I think what we need to do with our team is give them the confidence that they can do something. And I think the job of a leader is to just stand behind them and say, “I’m here. I have your back.” Allow them to do something. Allow them to make mistakes. Don’t be there to just intervene every single time. Help them to learn through those mistakes. I have a manager who has my back, and I think it gives me that confidence to do my job better, and I think that needs to be passed on to my colleagues who are working with me, to show them that we are, all of us, in this together, and we are doing great.’
Q. When a colleague is developing their skills, how do you give them room to try while making sure they know your support is there?
3. ASK AND ACT ON FEEDBACK
‘So I think, don’t be afraid, and the other important thing is there are people willing to help. You just need to ask. Sometimes we just go into that shell and think, you know, “Maybe I’m not fit enough to be here,” or, “Maybe nobody will really help me.” But trust me, at least in UHB, when you ask somebody for feedback, they’re more than happy to give you feedback and work on that feedback. I feel that’s very important. Work on the feedback, come back stronger, and I’m sure you’ll get where you need to.’
Q. Who could you ask for feedback on something you want to improve? What could you do differently as a result?
External Resources
International Retention Toolkit
Improving patient safety culture – a practical guide
Reflective Practice: an introductory toolkit
