Faculty Spotlight: Barbara Mackoff

Hear from Dr. Barbara Mackoff, consulting psychologist, author and leadership educator, who created and facilitates AONL’S virtual Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Managers, starting Feb. 6!

How long have you been a part of the AONL faculty and what inspired you to this position?

Working with nurse leaders has been the love of my professional life. I met Pam Thompson in 2008 and the following year, I was delighted to be invited to join the faculty to teach in the Nurse Manager Fellowship.

I remember that first year‘s meeting so well: we took a break to listen to Barack Obama's inaugural speech. At the time, I had just completed a book based on a national study of nurse manager engagement, and we had a spirited session where we discussed actionable signature strengths of nurse managers. Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to facilitate learning sessions for the Nurse Director Fellowship Program and to conduct an appreciative inquiry process at the close of both fellowship programs.

During this time, I began one of my most spirited adventures: creating a format — The Leadership Lab — as a way for nurses to capture and share instructive truths about their own experiences in learning to lead, and then, to view these experiences through the lens of established leadership practices. After conducting leadership laboratories in the US and worldwide, I worked with Beverly Hancock at AONL to create the laboratory experience online for AONL. This year, in February, we will begin our 13th cohort.

What excites you most about teaching this course, and what key takeaways do you hope attendees gain?

My goal is to unpack lofty leadership ideas into actionable takeaway tools and strategies that can be learned and practiced. For example, instead of just praising the virtues of team trust, our session explores how to create psychological safety and how to make team members feel valued and united in common purpose.

I am most excited about pairing the power of reflection with proven leadership practices. My teaching experiences in nursing schools and health care organizations have taught me that personal reflections and storytelling can bring research literature in nursing, psychology and anthropology to life.  

Just as important, I have discovered that stories are sticky: stories beget stories. When we read — or listen to — peer leadership stories and reflections, we each recall our history and memories of learning to lead. Reflection allows learners to capture their lived experiences and hold them up to a light that illuminates insight and best practices. Yet leaders do not develop by reflection alone. My goal is to guide nurse managers to use their reflections as a springboard to smart strategies that enhance leadership practice.

Each session deepens my belief in the resourceful power of peer wisdom. Every meeting of Leadership Lab is brimming with leaders’ stories and smart strategies. Our time together lets the participants hear the voices and shiny ideas of so many of their colleagues.

What trends or challenges in nursing leadership are you most passionate about addressing, and how does this course help tackle them?

The years ahead will demand that managers respond to staffing shortages, the retirement of senior leaders, battle fatigue (of self and team) and uncertainty about the changing health care horizon.

The topics of Leadership Lab directly address these issues: guiding teams through change, emotional mastery, motivating self and others, managing time in light of mission and the crucial role of replenishment and self-care in meeting adversity and challenges.

What motivates you to stay at the forefront of nursing leadership and education?

I continue to be moved and motivated by the nurse leaders around the world who have shared vivid experiences of their challenges, triumphs and strategies in deepening their leadership. These stories sing with vulnerability and authority; they translate theory into practice. They give me hope.

Learn more from Barbara and share best practices with your peers by registering for Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Managers!