Independence: “Empower people to act on their own behalf so that they feel in control of their lives and experience a sense of hope and possibility.” Donna Hicks PhD, Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture that Brings Out the Best in People.
Of all the elements of dignity, independence is the one I find the hardest to define until now. As a leader, as a nurse, and a parent I often feel the need to take care of everyone and everything. Although this seems like a noble venture what I did not realize is how by me doing everything I was not empowering the people around to act. I controlled the situation which meant they had no control, and they were made to feel they had no value. When you deprive someone of their independence, they lose their sense of hope. They are no longer engaged, and they think why I am here if what I think and do has no value. I thought I was doing the right thing by doing everything, but I learned a valuable lesson from a patient that changed things for me.
I was called to a patents room one day because they wanted to speak to the manager. I entered the room and there was the patient with her family. The patient expressed her concern for the care she was receiving. She said that everything she needed for why she was admitted was addressed. “I received my medications in a timely manner and the staff has been great.” I am thinking in my head, “So what is the problem?” The next thing the patient said opened my eyes to the problem. She said, “I feel like I have no voice. The nurse would come in and give me my medications and when I asked questions, I was told this is what the doctor ordered so you need to take them.” She told me that doctors came into her room and told her about all the tests she would need but did not give her the opportunity to ask questions. She said, “I do not feel like I have a voice in the things that you are doing to me. I talked with my family, and I will not take another pill or have another test until I can meet with the doctors and nurses who are caring for me. I want a voice in my care.”
This was a valuable lesson for me. Our intention is to do what is right, but it becomes important that we give those involved a voice. When we do a major project at work, we can see how successful it is when we invite the input of the whole team. They feel empowered because they feel their voice was heard. They feel valued.
We can look throughout history and see what happens when our independence is violated. We can trace it back to the Revolutionary War, slavery, the Civil War, two world wars, and the Civil Rights Movement. In all those events someone’s voice was taken from them. They were not allowed to express who they were and what they believed. Many who were brave enough to stand up often lost their lives for a noble cause.
I have been fortunate enough to have success in my career. I have learned that with success comes responsibility. I have the responsibility to honor the dignity of others, to be the voice for those who need one, and to always remember that I do not walk this walk alone. I can be the voice of what is right but more importantly I will allow the voiceless the power to speak for themselves.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 