Effective communicator: this implied having listening
skills, being able to explain things at the right level for staff
and patients to understand and being able to influence and
lead by virtue of their opinion
n Decision-maker: participants suggested that decisionmaking,
not just in relation to clinical issues, but with regard
to a whole host of issues, was central to clinical leadership
n Empowerment/motivator: participants looked to clinical
leaders because of their enthusiasm and belief in what they
were doing. Clinical leaders were identified because they
were themselves empowered and could inspire others
n Openness/approachable: every participant, in keeping with
the questionnaire findings, identified ‘approachability’ as
a recognizable characteristic of clinical leaders. Ineffective
clinical leaders were described as ‘controlling’ or dictatorial.
n Role model: clinical leaders were described as having their
values on show and other nurses indicated that it was their
ability to nurse or to care effectively that helped them
stand out as clinical leaders
n Visible: participants overwhelmingly indicated that to be
a role model, approachable, an effective communicator
and clinically competent, the clinical leader needed to be
visible. Present in the clinical environment, not in an office,
not ‘hide bound’ as one participant put it.