Cultivating ethical leadership in the recovery of COVID-19

Aim: To propose the necessity of fostering ethical leadership in the recovery of COVID-19. Background: Supporting physically and emotionally exhausted nurses, whilst ensuring quality standards of care delivery in the recovery phase of COVID-19, requires careful, considerate and proactive planning. Evaluation: Drawing on literature and utilizing Lawton and Paez Gabriunas’ (2015) integrated ethical leadership framework (purpose, practices, virtues), possible practical suggestions for the operationalization of ethical leadership are proposed. Discussion: Nurse managers must maintain ethical vigilance in order to nurture value-driven behaviour, demonstrating empathy and compassion for nurses experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion because of COVID-19. It is important that open dialogue, active listening and self-care interventions exist. Nurse managers have an essential role in inspiring and empowering nurses, and building morale and a collective commitment to safe and quality care. Conclusion: Nurse managers need to consider ways of empowering, supporting and enabling nurses to apply ethical standards in everyday practice. Implications for Nursing Management: Fostering ethical nurse leadership requires careful and sensitive planning, as well as charismatic, compassionate and inspirational leaders. Supporting staff through respect, empathy, role modelling and genuine conscientiousness is essential for increasing job performance and sustaining an ethical work environment.