Leading with Curiosity

Healthcare leadership is often discussed in terms of frameworks, competencies, and improvement methodologies, while overlooking the relational, emotional, and human realities of practical leadership. Leading with Curiosity: Case Studies in Nursing and Midwifery Leadership addresses this gap by offering a different kind of leadership resource, grounded in lived experience, relevant storytelling, and reflective practice, rather than prescriptive models alone. It discusses leadership as both a science and an art, recognising that effective leadership in complex healthcare environments requires judgement, curiosity, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.

Includes real-world nursing and midwifery case studies that demonstrate how to build psychological safety, support speaking up and learning cultures, and shape compassionate, high-performing teams
Employs three structured levels of reflection-Informed, Skilled, and Influencer-that benefit readers at every stage of their leadership journey. This layered approach supports both individual growth and progression into wider cultural and system influence
Introduces a range of practical, original frameworks that can be applied directly in practice, including the 3 Cs of Curious Leadership (Connect, Challenge, Create); the SPEAK framework for courageous conversations and speaking up; a culture compass to understand and shape team inclusivity and belonging; and the anatomy of a good question, supporting intentional and impactful inquiry
Discusses key topics such as curious leadership in healthcare, leadership and culture in complex systems, storytelling as a leadership tool, reflective practice and learning in action, leading through uncertainty and ambiguity, leadership identity and personal growth, and more