Our column readers this past year have uniformly embraced the importance of building one's own personal capabilities. As nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners, this growth mindset is critical to our continued success as leaders and change agents within the interprofessional learning environments. Skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making, cultural awareness, and inclusion are just few of the many topics we have addressed throughout the year that have resonated deeply with our readers.
We have had the honor and privilege of corresponding and conversing with many NPD practitioners who have shared their personal development journeys, successes, challenges, and advice for how to move forward. A recurring theme from their stories involves elements of lifelong learning and the growth mindset. It seems therefore appropriate to conclude this year's column series by encouraging our readers to ask "Where am I on my lifelong learning journey?" and "How have I embraced the growth mindset?"
Lifelong learning is a journey. It is also an essential skill listed under the Building Personal Capabilities domain in the Association for Talent Development Capability Model (Galagan et al., 2020). Simply stated, it is "marked by traits such as self-motivation, insatiable curiosity, and intelligent risk-taking" (Galagan et al., 2020, pp. 22-23). Kashman (2021) explores a variety of ways to enhance these traits as we move along our leadership journeys.
It is also important to note that, during our lifelong learning, we role model these essential traits for others so that they can consider incorporating them in their own personal growth and professional development. Indeed, the NPD Scope and Standards of Practice specifically emphasizes this in Standard 10 on Communication and Standard 12 on Leadership. Acting in our NPD role as leaders, we influence the interprofessional practice and learning environments (Harper & Maloney, 2022).
Similar to the characteristics of a lifelong learner, Okafor (2022) examines the characteristics of growth mindset as having a passion for learning and self-belief, taking calculated risks, living in the present moment, possessing a bias for action and challenges, and demonstrating self-discipline and positivity.
So, how can you commit to your own personal growth and development and articulate it to others? How can you strengthen your resolve and commitment to yourself, thereby better serving your learners? For those who feel that their journey has lost its appeal or that the progress has plateaued, perhaps it's time to reconsider one's own growth mindset. Indeed, as we approach the end of this calendar year and segue into the next, take time to ponder how you can personally grow. Go the extra mile and articulate it so that you role model positive behavior for others to engage in their own personal growth.
In 2023, our columns will focus on the other two domains of the Association for Talent Development Capability Model: Developing Professional Capability and Impacting Organizational Capability. The intersection of these two domains, along with the Building Personal Capability domain, extends our reach as NPD practitioners and leaders in the interprofessional learning environment, because we are best able to serve our learners if we have personally developed our own capabilities.
As we move along this journey, we invite you to share your reflections from 2022. How have you committed to building your personal capabilities in 2022, and how have you witnessed tangible effects in how you perform your role as a NPD practitioner? E-mail us at mailto:[email protected] and mailto:[email protected] to share your thoughts.
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