AONL member imparts lessons for CEOs

Nancy Blake, PhD, RN, CNO of Los Angeles General Medical Center, advised new CEOs to listen to their employees’ ideas. Speaking as part of a panel on what nurses can teach CEOs about how to lead, Blake said employees want professional development and a healthy work environment, including some control over their schedule and work. She urged CEOs to “take risks and do things that are different,” cautioning that leaders who do not listen to their employees lose them. Her hospital improved patient outcomes by forming triads comprising an administrator, physician and nurse leader on each unit that ask staff weekly about problems. The team attempts to fix problems, empowering staff to speak up. Blake advised CEOs to emphasize teamwork focused on patients. (Forbes article, 9/4/24)