The Leadership Trajectory
Developing Legacy Leaders-Ship
- 2nd Edition - July 23, 2026
- Latest edition
- Authors: Patricia S. Yoder-Wise, Karren Kowalski, Susan Sportsman
- Language: English
Designed to help nurses excel at every stage of your leadership path, The Leadership Trajectory: Developing Legacy Leaders-Ship, 2nd Edition, follows a five-element fram… Read more
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Description
Description
Designed to help nurses excel at every stage of your leadership path, The Leadership Trajectory: Developing Legacy Leaders-Ship, 2nd Edition, follows a five-element framework that addresses the core attributes of a leader — character, commitment, connectedness, compassion and confidence. This unique and practical text offers strategic guidance on the actions you need to take to become more influential in any environment to move yourself and your team to greater contributions. Nurses will learn how to develop the skills, mindset, and aptitude to succeed regardless of where you are in your position, setting or education journey.
The authors are pleased to donate all royalty proceeds to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to further its mission of providing resources that create opportunities to bridge science and practice to shape the future of nursing leadership.
The authors are pleased to donate all royalty proceeds to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to further its mission of providing resources that create opportunities to bridge science and practice to shape the future of nursing leadership.
Key features
Key features
- Five-element framework throughout the text explores the core attributes of an effective leader — character, commitment, connectedness, compassion, and confidence
- Success Tips boxes within most chapters offer practical strategies for successfully using key chapter concepts in practice
- Reflection Questions at the end of each chapter emphasize the importance of the topic covered as a strategy for growth
- Legacy Leadership (LL) Alert boxes cite examples of actions and statements to avoid
- Legacy Leadership (LL) Lineup summaries conclude each chapter to help you create an action plan related to the topic
Readership
Readership
MSN programs in nursing and healthcare administration; DNP programs; PhD programs in nursing administration; MSN programs leading to the CNL designation; Leadership development programs in hospitals and health care systems
Table of contents
Table of contents
SECTION I Strategies Overview
1 What Is Leadership?
A Leadership Definition
Common Theories of Leadership in Nursing
2 Leading to Legacies
What Forms a Legacy?
Intentionality
Legacies
Leaders
3 Legacy Leaders-Ship: The Model
Why Have A Model?
What Is the Legacy Leaders-Ship Model?
How Was the LLT Model Devised?
The Legacy Leaders-Ship Trajectory Model
Importance of the Model for You
4 The Profession and Values
The Profession
Values
The 5 Cs
Compassion (Caring)
Confidence
Commitment
Connectedness
Character
The Integration/Interconnectedness of the 5 Cs
5 Lifelong Learning
Learning in an Organization
Innovation in Lifelong Learning
Learning by Failure
Learning With Artificial Intelligence
6 Purpose
What Is Purpose
Getting to Purpose
The Sense of Enough
Readily Naming Heroes
Singling Out Life's Sweet Moments
Identifying Our Greatest Pains
The Next Life-Chapter Theme
When No One Is Looking
Wanting to Get up in the Morning
What Matters
Communicating Your Interests to Others
Humanizing
Another Look at Purpose
7 Self-Assessing
Why Do Self-Assessments?
The Tools
Other Strategies
Others
Self
Using Self-Assessment Tools
8 Reflecting
The Evolution of Reflective Practice
What Makes Leaders Reject Reflection
Journaling
An Additional Approach to Reflection
9 Framing
The Handwashing Study
The Power of Yet
The Art of Persuasion
The Most Effective Conversion in Framing
10 Inspiring
What Is Influencing?
Getting From Influencing to Inspiring
The Science of Influencing
11 Advocating
Self-Advocacy
Patient Advocacy
Speaking Up
Why People Do Not Speak Up
Challenges When Nurses Advocate
Colleague Advocacy
12 Coaching
Types of Coaching
What Is Coaching?
Philosophical Approach for Coaching
The Importance of Listening
The Importance of Questions
The Importance of Feedback
Coaching for Performance
13 Mentoring
Aspects of Mentoring
Differentiating Between Mentoring and Coaching
Mentoring and Precepting
The Mentoring Role
The Use of Mentoring in Organizations
Establishing Successful Mentoring Relationships
14 Visioning
Creating a Vision
Enroll in the Vision
Visions That Work
15 Wisdom
What Is Wisdom?
Strategies for Retaining the Older Wisdom Worker
Collaboration
Becoming Wise
Leadership Maturity
SECTION II Personal Overview
16 Accountability
Nursing and Accountability
The Professional Accountability Mindset
Accountability Versus Responsibility
Positive Accountability
17 Agility
Personal Agility
On Being a Scrum Master
Balancing Agility With Consistency
Team Agility
Organizational Agility
Becoming More Agile
18 Attitudes
General Observations About Attitude
Stress and Negative Attitudes
Psychological Aspects of Attitude and Behaviors
Development of Attitudes
Mindset
Grit
Reframing Negative to Positive
What Prevents Us From Reflecting on Negativism?
19 Authenticity
What Does Authenticity in Leadership Look Like?
Embrace Your Story
Authenticity as a Journey
Vulnerability as a Part of Authenticity
Authenticity in Healthcare
20 Capacity
What Is Capacity?
Leadership Capacities
Developing Mental Toughness
Developing Leadership Capacity in Teams and Organizations
21 Courage
What Is Courage?
Characteristics of a Courageous Leader
Categories of Courage
Competently Courageous
Managing Risk
Application of Courageous Leadership
22 Creativity
A Creativity Perspective
Levels of Creativity
Additional Thoughts About Creativity and Innovation
Increasing Your Creativity and Innovation
Brainswarming
23 Integrity
Courage and Integrity
What does Integrity Look Like in Our Personal Lives?
How to Develop Integrity
What is Integrity in the Workplace?
When Integrity is Missing
How do We Recoup from Mistakes with Integrity?
24 Intelligence
General (Intellectual) Intelligence
Appreciative Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
Visual Intelligence
25 Presence
What Is Presence?
The ABCs of Presence
Improving Our Abilities
26 Risking
Taking Risks
Characteristics of Risk-Takers
Gender Differences in Risk-Taking
Improving Your Risk-Taking Skills
Considered Risk-Taking
27 Spirituality
Spirituality and Religion: How They Differ
Spirituality Compared With Emotional Health
What Makes Spirituality Important?
Developing Spiritual Resources
Spirituality and Leadership
28 Timing
When Is the Right Time?
Deciding the Consequences of Timing
Timing Implications for Leadership
Recovery
29 Trust
The Definition of Trust
The Neuroscience of Trust
Trust in Organizations
Application of the "the Characteristics of Trustworthiness"
When Trust Has Been Lost
Choosing Whom to Trust
The Impact of Trust on Our Own Leadership Trajectory
30 Truthfulness
Why Do People Make Untruthful Statements?
Examples of Dishonesty in Organizations
Truthfulness: Its Impact on Relationships
Truthfulness in Individual Relationships
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Truthfulness by an Organization
Limits to Transparency
31 Vulnerability
Connection
The Limits of Vulnerability
The Myths of Vulnerability
Myth #1: Vulnerability Is Weakness
Myth #2: You Can Opt Out of Vulnerability
Myth #3: Vulnerability Means Letting It All Hang Out
Myth #4: I Can Go It Alone
When Vulnerability Enters the Workplace
32 Well-Being
Atmosphere of Safety
What Is Mindfulness?
Practical Uses of Mindfulness
Resilience
How Resiliency Works
How to Become More Resilient
SECTION III Environment Overview
33 Alliances
What Is an Alliance?
Types of Alliances
The Individual Level of Alliances
Creating Alliances
34 Communication
Mental Filters
Compensation for the Filters
Effective Communication Skills
Guidelines for Creating a Positive Communication Environment
Communication Barriers
Communication Breakdown
Active Listening
"You, You, You"
35 Contribution
Framework for Nurses' Contributions
An Example of Being Present
Documentation of Nurses' Impact on Healthcare
Nurses' Impact on Healthcare Outcomes
Care Coordination
Nursing Contributions at the Organizational Level
36 Culture
Why Organizational Culture Is Important
How Organizational Culture Is Created and Communicated
How and Why Does Organizational Culture Change?
What Are Subcultures?
Nursing at Its Best
37 Engagement
What Is Engagement?
Change and Engagement
Disengagement
Inclusiveness
Examining Bias
Storytelling
Engagement and the Leader
Changing the Equation
Effects of Engagement Surveys
38 Governance
The Role of Governance
Components of a Governance Plan
Board of Directors
Nurses on Boards
Accountability Framework for Executives
Shared Governance
An Experience With Shared Governance
39 Innovation
The Hard Work of Having Fun
How to Become Innovative
40 Negotiation
What Is Negotiation?
Preplanning
Negotiation in Action
41 Politics
The Definition of Organizational Politics
Social Power and Political Capital
An Example of "Living" the Values and Mission of an Organization
Sources of Political Power or Capital
Strategies for Organizational Political Action
42 Processes
What Is a Process?
The Deming Cycle (PDSA Cycle)
Processes in Health Care
PDSA Cycle in Healthcare
Developing a New Initiative
Will Processes Reduce Missteps and Failures?
Preventing Problems Through the Use of Processes
Are Processes Fool-Proof?
43 Relationships
A Good Relationship Defined
Levels of Relationships
The Foundation for Developing Relationships
Common Beliefs and Values
Common Interests
Common Vision or Goals
What Happens When No Common Goals, Values, or Interests Can Be Identified?
Steps in Building Relationships
Obstacles to Building Good Relationships
How to Repair a Relationship
44 Strategy
What Advantages Does a Strategy Provide?
Key Questions to Prepare for a Strategic Plan
Struggling With Strategy
A Business Perspective
Developing Strategic Thinking
Aligned Decision-Making
Zoom in and Zoom out
45 Structure
Impact of Structure
Organizational Structure and Motivation
Assessing the Organizational Structure
46 Exiting
The Concept of Exiting
Leaving a Position We Love
Leaving Under Conflict
A Story of Being Downsized
Retirement
Steps for Retirement Planning
Preparation for Exiting
Evidence on Successful Leadership Transitions
Intergenerational Leadership
Conclusion
References
1 What Is Leadership?
A Leadership Definition
Common Theories of Leadership in Nursing
2 Leading to Legacies
What Forms a Legacy?
Intentionality
Legacies
Leaders
3 Legacy Leaders-Ship: The Model
Why Have A Model?
What Is the Legacy Leaders-Ship Model?
How Was the LLT Model Devised?
The Legacy Leaders-Ship Trajectory Model
Importance of the Model for You
4 The Profession and Values
The Profession
Values
The 5 Cs
Compassion (Caring)
Confidence
Commitment
Connectedness
Character
The Integration/Interconnectedness of the 5 Cs
5 Lifelong Learning
Learning in an Organization
Innovation in Lifelong Learning
Learning by Failure
Learning With Artificial Intelligence
6 Purpose
What Is Purpose
Getting to Purpose
The Sense of Enough
Readily Naming Heroes
Singling Out Life's Sweet Moments
Identifying Our Greatest Pains
The Next Life-Chapter Theme
When No One Is Looking
Wanting to Get up in the Morning
What Matters
Communicating Your Interests to Others
Humanizing
Another Look at Purpose
7 Self-Assessing
Why Do Self-Assessments?
The Tools
Other Strategies
Others
Self
Using Self-Assessment Tools
8 Reflecting
The Evolution of Reflective Practice
What Makes Leaders Reject Reflection
Journaling
An Additional Approach to Reflection
9 Framing
The Handwashing Study
The Power of Yet
The Art of Persuasion
The Most Effective Conversion in Framing
10 Inspiring
What Is Influencing?
Getting From Influencing to Inspiring
The Science of Influencing
11 Advocating
Self-Advocacy
Patient Advocacy
Speaking Up
Why People Do Not Speak Up
Challenges When Nurses Advocate
Colleague Advocacy
12 Coaching
Types of Coaching
What Is Coaching?
Philosophical Approach for Coaching
The Importance of Listening
The Importance of Questions
The Importance of Feedback
Coaching for Performance
13 Mentoring
Aspects of Mentoring
Differentiating Between Mentoring and Coaching
Mentoring and Precepting
The Mentoring Role
The Use of Mentoring in Organizations
Establishing Successful Mentoring Relationships
14 Visioning
Creating a Vision
Enroll in the Vision
Visions That Work
15 Wisdom
What Is Wisdom?
Strategies for Retaining the Older Wisdom Worker
Collaboration
Becoming Wise
Leadership Maturity
SECTION II Personal Overview
16 Accountability
Nursing and Accountability
The Professional Accountability Mindset
Accountability Versus Responsibility
Positive Accountability
17 Agility
Personal Agility
On Being a Scrum Master
Balancing Agility With Consistency
Team Agility
Organizational Agility
Becoming More Agile
18 Attitudes
General Observations About Attitude
Stress and Negative Attitudes
Psychological Aspects of Attitude and Behaviors
Development of Attitudes
Mindset
Grit
Reframing Negative to Positive
What Prevents Us From Reflecting on Negativism?
19 Authenticity
What Does Authenticity in Leadership Look Like?
Embrace Your Story
Authenticity as a Journey
Vulnerability as a Part of Authenticity
Authenticity in Healthcare
20 Capacity
What Is Capacity?
Leadership Capacities
Developing Mental Toughness
Developing Leadership Capacity in Teams and Organizations
21 Courage
What Is Courage?
Characteristics of a Courageous Leader
Categories of Courage
Competently Courageous
Managing Risk
Application of Courageous Leadership
22 Creativity
A Creativity Perspective
Levels of Creativity
Additional Thoughts About Creativity and Innovation
Increasing Your Creativity and Innovation
Brainswarming
23 Integrity
Courage and Integrity
What does Integrity Look Like in Our Personal Lives?
How to Develop Integrity
What is Integrity in the Workplace?
When Integrity is Missing
How do We Recoup from Mistakes with Integrity?
24 Intelligence
General (Intellectual) Intelligence
Appreciative Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
Visual Intelligence
25 Presence
What Is Presence?
The ABCs of Presence
Improving Our Abilities
26 Risking
Taking Risks
Characteristics of Risk-Takers
Gender Differences in Risk-Taking
Improving Your Risk-Taking Skills
Considered Risk-Taking
27 Spirituality
Spirituality and Religion: How They Differ
Spirituality Compared With Emotional Health
What Makes Spirituality Important?
Developing Spiritual Resources
Spirituality and Leadership
28 Timing
When Is the Right Time?
Deciding the Consequences of Timing
Timing Implications for Leadership
Recovery
29 Trust
The Definition of Trust
The Neuroscience of Trust
Trust in Organizations
Application of the "the Characteristics of Trustworthiness"
When Trust Has Been Lost
Choosing Whom to Trust
The Impact of Trust on Our Own Leadership Trajectory
30 Truthfulness
Why Do People Make Untruthful Statements?
Examples of Dishonesty in Organizations
Truthfulness: Its Impact on Relationships
Truthfulness in Individual Relationships
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Truthfulness by an Organization
Limits to Transparency
31 Vulnerability
Connection
The Limits of Vulnerability
The Myths of Vulnerability
Myth #1: Vulnerability Is Weakness
Myth #2: You Can Opt Out of Vulnerability
Myth #3: Vulnerability Means Letting It All Hang Out
Myth #4: I Can Go It Alone
When Vulnerability Enters the Workplace
32 Well-Being
Atmosphere of Safety
What Is Mindfulness?
Practical Uses of Mindfulness
Resilience
How Resiliency Works
How to Become More Resilient
SECTION III Environment Overview
33 Alliances
What Is an Alliance?
Types of Alliances
The Individual Level of Alliances
Creating Alliances
34 Communication
Mental Filters
Compensation for the Filters
Effective Communication Skills
Guidelines for Creating a Positive Communication Environment
Communication Barriers
Communication Breakdown
Active Listening
"You, You, You"
35 Contribution
Framework for Nurses' Contributions
An Example of Being Present
Documentation of Nurses' Impact on Healthcare
Nurses' Impact on Healthcare Outcomes
Care Coordination
Nursing Contributions at the Organizational Level
36 Culture
Why Organizational Culture Is Important
How Organizational Culture Is Created and Communicated
How and Why Does Organizational Culture Change?
What Are Subcultures?
Nursing at Its Best
37 Engagement
What Is Engagement?
Change and Engagement
Disengagement
Inclusiveness
Examining Bias
Storytelling
Engagement and the Leader
Changing the Equation
Effects of Engagement Surveys
38 Governance
The Role of Governance
Components of a Governance Plan
Board of Directors
Nurses on Boards
Accountability Framework for Executives
Shared Governance
An Experience With Shared Governance
39 Innovation
The Hard Work of Having Fun
How to Become Innovative
40 Negotiation
What Is Negotiation?
Preplanning
Negotiation in Action
41 Politics
The Definition of Organizational Politics
Social Power and Political Capital
An Example of "Living" the Values and Mission of an Organization
Sources of Political Power or Capital
Strategies for Organizational Political Action
42 Processes
What Is a Process?
The Deming Cycle (PDSA Cycle)
Processes in Health Care
PDSA Cycle in Healthcare
Developing a New Initiative
Will Processes Reduce Missteps and Failures?
Preventing Problems Through the Use of Processes
Are Processes Fool-Proof?
43 Relationships
A Good Relationship Defined
Levels of Relationships
The Foundation for Developing Relationships
Common Beliefs and Values
Common Interests
Common Vision or Goals
What Happens When No Common Goals, Values, or Interests Can Be Identified?
Steps in Building Relationships
Obstacles to Building Good Relationships
How to Repair a Relationship
44 Strategy
What Advantages Does a Strategy Provide?
Key Questions to Prepare for a Strategic Plan
Struggling With Strategy
A Business Perspective
Developing Strategic Thinking
Aligned Decision-Making
Zoom in and Zoom out
45 Structure
Impact of Structure
Organizational Structure and Motivation
Assessing the Organizational Structure
46 Exiting
The Concept of Exiting
Leaving a Position We Love
Leaving Under Conflict
A Story of Being Downsized
Retirement
Steps for Retirement Planning
Preparation for Exiting
Evidence on Successful Leadership Transitions
Intergenerational Leadership
Conclusion
References
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Published: July 23, 2026
- Language: English
About the authors
About the authors
Patricia S. Yoder-Wise
Author
Dr. Yoder-Wise is professor and Dean Emerita at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and she also teaches for the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston. She has taught in every type of nursing education program from nursing assistant through doctoral and continuing education. She is an author (e.g., Leading and Managing in Nursing and leadership/competence articles), editor (e.g., The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing /Nursing Forum), and serves as president of the Wise Group. Dr. Yoder-Wise is a past president of the Texas Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, CGEAN, and the President of the National League for Nursing.
Affiliations and expertise
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USAKarren Kowalski
Author
Affiliations and expertise
President, Kowalski and Associates Consulting, Castle Rock, CO, USASusan Sportsman
Author
Dr. Sportsman is the co-author on this title. She has worked as a medical-surgical and psychiatric nurse in hospitals and in the community; she has been a teacher and an administrator in both service and education; and she has consulted for a broad spectrum of colleges and universities throughout North America. Most recently she served as Director of Consulting Services at Elsevier’s Education Division. Prior to that she held positions as Dean of the College of Health Science and Human Services at Midwestern State University; Associate Dean of Nursing at Texas Tech University; and Vice President, Mental Health Programs at Harris Methodist Health System.
Affiliations and expertise
Formerly Dean, College of Health Science and Human Services, Midwestern State University; Associate Dean of Nursing, Texas Tech University; Vice President, Mental Health Programs, Harris Methodist Health System, USA