In this article, the importance of critical thinking as an essential component of leadership is laid down along with the focus on integrity as the most important virtue to be existing in a leader. According to Cahalan (2017) Critical thinking is one of the 8 ways of knowing essentials to wise practice. Critical thinking is a method of analysing any given situation in such a way that one is able to judge the situation with it’s pros and cons and act accordingly. Northouse lays down certain traits to cultivate in order to be a leader: Intelligence, Self-confidence, Determination, Integrity and Sociability.

This study lays down following important points as to leadership essentials.

  1. Critical thinking is an essential component of leadership as it helps the individual to make intellectual choices by discernment. It helps make reasonably smart choices and not blindly follow the crowd.
  2. Integrity is the most important and sought after virtue by employers as it is a more public form of action wherein the individual consciously makes other’s aware of their personal values. Integrity is the key component of leadership. Standing up for what you feel is right, irrespective  of the consequences is what makes an individual stand apart from the rest and makes one a leader.
  3. Excellence  is a habit that we develop through practice. It is by doing again and again or acting repetitively that one’s habit excels.
  4. Wisdom is important characteristics of a good leader and only by giving every individual the space to speak freely can wisdom be increased.
  5. A leader is expected to think critically and analyze the assertions of others and propose  own ideas based on reasoned evidence and judgment.

Critical thinking involves coherent judgement that are rationally thought. When one thinks critically, they don’t accept the arguments or conclusions as it is, but questions them and find answer to it. Critical thinking is essential in my field nursing as the nurses use this skill everyday to provide safe competent care to clients and at any point in the career I can encounter a disaster or a new disease which needs critical thinking to manage and solve the problem. Critical thinking is an ability to recognize and define a problem, identify assumptions, evaluate arguments, and apply inductive and deductive reasoning to draw conclusions from the existing information, which helps nurses like me to make effective clinical decisions.

To be innovators at workplace, be wise, as wisdom plays a major role and it is the key to distinguish between right and wrong and one should be determined, think differently and try to be creative. Secondly, should be open to and accept new ideas or methods that are safe to the clients. Thirdly, should think critically and become life long learners which in turn brings forth excellence. Lastly, should test the new ideas and reflect on them without compromising the safety.