It's easy to be negative, especially when under great pressure. It's even easier to feel alone when you're struggling, and to see asking for help as a weakness. But my time as a student, and infact more so my time as a newly qualified nurse, has showed me you’re only as strong as the team around you. And a great team is full of people who lead in a range of different areas – those who innovate; those who organise and co-ordinate work efforts; those who encourage trust and co-operation; those who litigate; those who act and both inspire and engage others, and those who support, develop and empower people. All the research into leadership tells us great patient care comes when nurses feel encouraged and supported by their leaders, and in turn where the work climate is positive and supportive , and where people are given opportunities to participate in decision making, they report higher levels of organisational belonging and job performance ...