ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the personal qualities of a leader in practice. In the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework, these are identified as being: self-belief, self-awareness, self-management, drive for improvement, and personal integrity. The importance of taking a lead on compassionate communication is a central tenet of the personal qualities highlighted in the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework, the NHS Leadership Framework and in all the writing on emotional intelligence. It is the role of a leader to ensure that they empower and support other nurses to achieve their potential and to maximise the opportunities for excellent care. The chapter discusses the positive leadership attitudes. It is important to understand what the attributes of a leader actually are and how we can enhance our personal effectiveness as leaders. These are all positive attributes that are used consistently by experienced and sensitive nurses to lead practice forward and to enhance their relationships with people in their care.
