Change rarely arrives with a clear plan. More often, it begins as a quiet nudge, a sense that the way we are moving through our days no longer fully reflects what matters most.
Recently, this came to mind during a conversation with a colleague about the pull of constant busyness, the kind that fills every moment, even when it no longer reflects what she values most. She shared how little time remained at the end of the day for self-care, exercise, rest, or meaningful time with her family. Her children, she said, simply wanted her to slow down and be present with them.
What stood out was not only her exhaustion, but also the quiet hope that she might give herself permission to choose differently. Many of us know what it feels like to keep moving, even when something within us is asking for a pause.
That moment reminded me that meaningful change often begins with intention and is strengthened through collaboration. For her, the questions became personal: What is getting in the way of living my values? And what small, realistic shift could help me honor what matters most? Sometimes, all it takes is someone willing to listen and create room for honest reflection to lead to new possibilities.
This is the kind of human-centered collaboration ALSN members continue to create, not only working together on tasks but helping one another make intentional choices. It means giving ourselves permission to pause, recalibrate, and realign our daily actions with the values we hope to model as leaders. In doing so, we live out our values-centered leadership which is at the heart of ALSN.
As ALSN members, we are shaping the future of nursing leadership and systems science through the choices we make each day. This month, let us pause, recalibrate, and lead by choosing one small shift that aligns our actions with our values and inviting one ALSN colleague to do the same.
Dr. Joy Parchment
ALSN President-Elect
PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CPDC, ACC, FAAN
