Dignity: “Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8.”
The title of this post came from a speech I heard from Denzel Washington. It made me think about all the times I have fallen and made the decision to get back up. Often, I would get up right away but there were times when I made the decision to just sit there and give up. I would allow the world to get the best of me and hold me back from the things I look to accomplish.
My journey as a nurse and a leader had many falls, but many stand up moments as well. I learned in those moments how to be a better nurse, a better person, and a stronger leader. But there was a time when I made the decision to give up on my leadership journey because I allowed my ego and the desire to prove I belonged guide me. I had a singular focus and that was to prove I advanced in my career not because of the color of my skin but the content of my character. I was focused on myself and the people I led suffered without strong leadership and it also had a significate effect on my health.
It was not until I was introduced to Dr. Donna Hicks, “Ten Essentials of Dignity” and the “Dignity Model” that I realized it was violations of my dignity that was one of the reasons I struggled not only as a leader but as a person. It was those past violations and hurts that I allowed to guide my reactions and allowed me to violate the dignity of others. I wanted to be accepted for who I was and in wanting that I put others down to elevate myself. I wanted to be included so I denied who I was as a person and moved away from those who accepted me for who I was. I wanted to be acknowledged and I wanted to feel like I mattered so I always questioned myself even when I knew it was the right decision because being recognized was more important than doing what was right.
When I read “Leading with Dignity” by Dr. Hicks and put those things into practice it renewed my desire to become a leader and someday a nurse executive. I know that I will accomplish this because it is what I was meant to do. I will fall seven times, but I will get up eight times. I have learned to see the best in people just like all the people who saw the best in me and encouraged me. They did not just give me praise but they gave me honest feedback when I needed it. They gave me opportunities to walk and to fall. They knew when to be direct and when to back off. I have been blessed to have the right people around me who believe in me.
As a leader I want to bring out the best in others. It is not about me and my accomplishments. It is about giving others the ability to grow and become the best person they can be. When you get a job in leadership it is important that you have knowledge and education, but I know that even more than that you must honor dignity and connect to the dignity of yourself, others, and to something higher. You must understand those dignity violations and have the ability to right the wrong and ask for forgiveness. These are principles I learned in reading and rereading “Leading with Dignity.” They are principles I try to practice every day.
“The greatest leaders are not recognized by the awards and plaques with their names on them but by the number of awards and plaques the people they lead get. I lead to bring out the best in others to help them live out their highest potential. Just like so many people have done for me.” Charles Redd MS, RN Future Chief Nurse Officer
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 