Nursing

Positive pushback for nurses

Nurse Leader Insider, July 30, 2015

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I've posted in the past on accountability strategies, communication techniques, and building team relationships, all of which can improve the workplace. Recently I ran across the term "positive pushback"—easy to remember thanks to those alliterative "p" words—and felt that the technique might be helpful in those potential conflict situations that arise from time to time.

The promise of positive pushback is that you can communicate your concerns in an unequivocally strong and clear manner that doesn't damage your professional relationships. No yelling and certainly no retreating to an unassertive approach.

According to Susanne Gaddis, the Communications Doctor:
A "positive pushback" is the ability to deliver an appropriately assertive response to a potentially negative and/or harmful situation. A positive pushback is executed by looking someone straight in the eye, and saying with an even, non-stressed tone what you want or need. (If you want to be really assertive include the word "I," such as "I really need for you to stop and review this now...")

What resources do you need to use positive pushback? Self-esteem, self-confidence, and an ability to convey urgency without emoting your emotions. I highly recommend that you read this blog post from Susanne Gaddis, to see if this is a tool that you can add to your collection. As with all the "soft skills," practice makes perfect.

If you try the techniques, please post a comment on the blog to let us know how it worked out for you!

To read the blog, click here.



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