Next tech-generation leaders

I learned an interesting statistic while at the 40th Biennial Convention of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). Forty-five percent of the members of the honor society are now under the age of 50! What this means to me is that there will be next-generation leaders to guide and navigate STTI into the future. What also fascinated and intrigued me was that some of the younger members of the honor society will clearly be next-generation leaders who are also technology-generation leaders.

Take, for example, Robert Fraser. He is a registered nurse±a graduate student—from Canada who has an amazing Web site called Nursing Ideas. I had the opportunity to chat with Robert at the convention. He is passionate about nursing and technology. He was actively roaming and scanning the convention—back pack over one shoulder and tripod grasped in his right hand. He tried to capture as many nurse leaders as he could and get their ideas on nursing leadership. It was amazing to me how passionate he is about using technology to inspire, connect and help create nursing-knowledge networks.

For example, he recorded his own presentation at the convention, in which he challenged all of us to use the technology that is available to advance knowledge sharing and community building in nursing. Next tech-generation leaders, like Fraser, are using the vehicles of social media to link and expand connections while simultaneously supporting aggregation of knowledge, development of skills and the spirit of connection among nurses around the world.

I suspect there may be a young person with whom you work who is up on the technology and social-media trends emerging in your organization? If so, I believe we all can learn a great deal from these emerging leaders. Through the magic of dialogue, each of us can engage in transformational learning. Find the next tech-generation leaders in your organization and ask them what they are up to. What you learn may surprise, delight and fascinate you.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership, published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.