When Leadership Means Stepping Back to Move Forward

Today marks day four of me being a travel ADON. I must say, those first two days were rough — lol.

I’ve never been an assistant before and learning to let go of what I was once responsible for took some adjusting. But surprisingly, it was easier than I anticipated.

I sat quietly during the morning meeting, just observing. It felt strange not running the show — but it also felt freeing.

For a moment, I caught myself wanting to jump in and fix things like I used to — but I stopped. Growth means trusting others to lead too.

I stepped back and gave the DON space to bond with her team.

That’s leadership too — knowing when to step forward and when to let others shine. ✨

The good part? Having been in this facility for eight weeks already gave me insight into the areas I wanted to strengthen when I was DON but didn’t have the time to.

Now, as ADON, I get to focus on what I love most — education and auditing — two areas that create the foundation for everything else.

Being in this role has given me a whole new appreciation for the ADON position.

Sometimes, when you step down from the top seat, you see things more clearly from the side.

To build a strong foundation, you must focus on what supports it: education, training, auditing, and consistent processes.

 One person can’t do it all — but when everyone plays their part, that’s when the magic happens. 💜

I’m grateful for this experience — it reminded me that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about teamwork, trust, and continuous learning.

And the good news? Now that this facility has their permanent DON, the company asked me to take on a new assignment as a travel DON! Another opportunity to grow, teach, and lead with love.

So today, I’m asking you — when was the last time you stepped back just enough to let someone else shine?

Remember, leadership isn’t just about doing — it’s about developing.

Lead with Love 💜

YourFavNurseLeader

Bilquis Ali