Leadership Through Followership: Examining the Life of Edith Cavell

Leadership through Followership Examining the Life of Edith Cavell During her final hours in the clutches of the German forces during the First foundation War, Edith Louisa Cavell summarized her lifes drop dead with the famous quote, I realize that patriotism is non enough I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any angiotensin-converting enzyme. These delivery capture not totally the spirit of who Edith Cavell was and what she stood for they embody the very content of what it means to be a nurse. Theorists and scholars alike have stated that the mettle comp onent of the treat profession is caring.To Edith Cavell, caring k bracing no boundaries, and thus, neither did her nursing expertise. eyepatch it is correct to view Edith Cavell and her heroic actions during her life through the lens of leadership, one would be remiss should they choose to ignore the contributions she made to nursing and her state of matter by universe an exemplary follower. This essay bequeat h short explore the life of Edith Cavell and demonstrate how her actions and face-to-face characteristics contributed to her world power to be an efficient follower and thus, a visionary leader. BackgroundEdith Louisa Cavell was born on declination 4th, 1865, in Swardeston parish in the county of Norfolk in Eastern England. She was raised in a ho physical exercisehold comprised of strict Anglican beliefs enforced by her father, Reverend Frederick Cavell. It has been create verbally that no books were allowed in the house except for the bible. Her dev push through religious creed would prove to be the guiding force behind her charity during her life. She began to check off as a nurse in 1900 at the age of cardinal at the London Hospital. Seven years later, she was recruited to become the matron of Berkendael Medical name in Brussels, Belgium.Not impressed with the current state of nursing in Belgium at the time, she sought to improve standards and regulate certain elements of practice by becoming an influential nurse educator. After the eruption of the First World War in 1914, Cavell vacated her again-home of England and returned to Belgium to resume her position as matron of the Berkendael Medical Institute, which had been reborn by the Red amaze into a military hospital allowing the discourse of twain German and Allied soldiers (Duffy, 2011). Despite Belgiums declared neutrality, the country was promptly invaded and occupied by strict German forces.Cavell, knowing the intact dangers of war, retained her post and act to treat the sick and wounded. Knowing that many a(prenominal) other(prenominal) British soldiers were now trapped in German-occupied Belgium, her efforts were soon directed at assisting surrounded these British soldiers in their return to England. Cavell was after responsible for the safe removal of over 200 Allied soldiers from Belgium betwixt 1914 and 1915. She provided shelter in safe houses, as well as dishonest identifica tion papers and guides out of the country.Unfortunately, she came under suspicion by the German military. This was not helped by her outspoken views on the perceived injustice of the German communication channel (Tejvan, 2010). Cavell was apprehended by German authorities and eventually succumbed to interrogations. She was aerated with treason and timed to death. Worldwide condemnation of the verdict (and the fact that she treated German and Allied soldiers indiscriminately) did little to detour the German militarys decision. eroding a nursing uniform, Edith Cavell was executed by firing squad on the morning of Oct. 2, 1915. Global outrage ensued shortly thereafter. American and British mourners were particularly sensitive towards Cavells unjust execution it ignited anti-German sentiment from both Americans and the British, serving as the catalyst for worldwide press coverage benevolent towards the United States and Britains forthcoming war effort (Fee & Roth, 2010, pp. 1865-186 6). Followership Behaviour The concepts of leadership and chasehip are deeply intertwined (Grayson & Speckhart). Edith Cavells traits as a follower allowed her to be an strong leader.The term follower is open to subjective interpretation, yet one particularly helpful exposition is an individual that follows the teachings and/or opinions of another (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Grossman and Valiga have save expanded on the word follower and have coined the term utile follower (2009, p. 41). In contrast to the above definition, the effective follower functions independently, thinks critically about ideas that are proposed or directions that are notifyed, and is actively involved (Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p. 1).They progress suggest that effective followers have six common characteristics overly possessed by effective leaders assertiveness, determination, courage, an ability to act as a change gene, openness to new ideas and willingness to challenge ideas, and a willingness to coi ffe (2009, p. 44). Edith Cavell displayed all of the above traits at one point or another during her lifetime which suggests she was an effective follower, and therefore, an effective leader. Edith Cavell was assertive, determined, and courageous.In defiance of the Red Crosss code of non-military involvement (2011) as well as German military code of conduct, she continued to smuggle British men out of occupied Belgium despite knowing in full that a sentence of death by court martial was the penalty. Upon capture and interrogation by the German military, she confessed in full to her alleged crimes of treason, a testament to not only her courageous nature but her rigid abidance to her values. She continued to serve her country despite knowing it could possibly end in her demise.On a less dramatic note, she was a proponent of change magnitude the value placed on not only nurses but women in general. Doing this during a time when womens issues were considered less important than mens r equired ample courage. This is also consistent with the sideline point. Edith Cavell demo effective followership behaviour (thus effective leadership behaviour) by being open to new ideas, possessing a willingness to challenge ideas, and acting as a change gene (Grossman & Valiga, p. 44).Her willingness to challenge ideas was demonstrated by her public protest of the German occupation of Belgium and distain of German treatment of Allied soldiers. She acted as a change agent by inventing ways to smuggle Allied soldiers out of the country. Cavell also demonstrated these three behaviours during her stint as matron for the Berkendael Medical Institute. As described previously, she was unaffected with what were current nursing standards in Brussels. For example, she instituted the practice of follow-up home visits for patients following discharge (Ryder, 1975).Cavell hypothesized that this would prevent readmissions, which indeed it did. It can also be verbalise that Cavell was a fo reword thinker on her views on gender. She was once quoted as saying, The old idea that it is a disgrace for women to work is still held in Belgium and women of good birth and education still they think lose status by earning their own living, suggesting that even in the early portion of the twentieth century, Edith Cavell believed the notion of women being excluded from the workforce was antiquated. Lastly, Cavell possessed a willingness to serve (Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p. 4).Grossman and Valiga suggest that loyalty is one trait commonly held by effective followers (2009, p. 44-45). Cavell was loyal and served in dickens ways. First, she was extremely religious. As mentioned prior, she was raised in a strict Anglican household under the supervision of her diplomatic minister father, and thus was loyal to the teachings of Christianity. There exist two key elements inherently rooted in any religion followership and caring. If one abides by the definition of followership stated pr ior then individuals practicing a religion, as was Edith Cavell, are followers. sensation of the core messages common to all biblical scripture, regardless of the chosen religion, is one of caring for other people and creating nurturing environments. Cavells selflessness was ultimately spurred on by her unwavering commitment and loyalty to the teachings of her religion. To demonstrate her faith, it has been said that during the two weeks she spent in solitary confinement prior to her execution the only books she requested were the Holy Bible and The Imitation of Christ, a medieval loudness of meditations that emphasizes self-abnegation and suffering (Shaddox, 1999, p. ).Second, she had a willingness to serve her country. In addition to being a darling Christian, Cavell was a dedicated patriot. She possessed a fill in and devotion for Great Britain rivalled by few. This was demonstrated by her loyalty to her country of origin even in the face of formidable danger. It is interesti ng to note that this nose out of patriotism was seemingly abandoned during her final hours of imprisonment by the German military, in which she uttered the famous quote mentioned at the beginning of this essay. Implications for nursingThe life of Edith Cavell impacted the nursing profession in a physique of ways. On a superficial level, multiple hospitals and schools have been named in her whiteness (see Appendix). She was also in influential in the early creation of victor nursing journals. During her stint as matron in Brussels, she was credited with the launch of Linfirmiere, which authenticated proper nursing standards and practices (Tejvan, 2010). It can be said, however, that her greatest contribution whitethorn not have come in life, but in death.While execution by firing squad lays in the extreme, she continues to serve as a symbol to nurses and non-nurses alike as to the level of personal sacrifice and emotional dedication many nurses put into the profession each day . This was presumably never her original intention, but through martyrdom Edith Cavell will forever live as an inspiration to all nurses in the autobiography of nursing history. Conclusion Edith Cavell is an important figure in nursing history.Her ability to lead was preceded by her ability to demonstrate effective followership skills. Her patriotism and devout faith, both of which are rooted in the concept of followership, provided the foundation for many of her lifes endeavours. Ultimately, though, it was her loyalty to her fellow person which proved to be the true motivation behind her actions. Nurses everywhere can proudly use Edith Cavell as a role model for their nursing endeavours, and will hopefully use her story for inspiration to care without borders.