Developing leadership and capacity building: Reflections of a nurse leader

Globally, leadership in nursing and healthcare is vital to develop professional skills and knowledge to improve both practice and population health. Much can be learned from the leadership experiences of others, such as Professor Wipada Kunaviktikul from Thailand, a well-known nursing leader. Among her many life achievements, she is a founding member of the Editorial Board of Nursing & Health Sciences and was invited to share her life story with readers. Her life story includes experiences of leadership and capacity building in health, administration and education, across many organizations nationally and internationally. She describes how her early experiences contributed to her later achievements, such as working to establish international relationships, networks and collaborating centers, and English-language nursing degrees and training courses for Thai and international students. Nurses and other health professionals can reflect on how her values and commitment to nursing excellence have shaped her leadership style to the present time. The importance of role models and mentors in capacity building for leadership is emphasized in her personal leadership development and in the development of other leaders. In conclusion, leadership suggestions are given for future and present nursing leaders.