Nicola Dickie QN

Health Visitor/Team Leader, Queens Nurse with NHSG/ACHSCP. Proud to be part of the Aberdeen Health Visiting Team. All views expressed are my own

[Helen Bevan @HelenBevan]

“It’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission” is among the most overused sayings amongst people who try to make change happen.
It’s understandable that so many change leaders follow this mantra. When we’re wading through layers of “rules” & bureaucracy, trying to create change in a large complex system, we sometimes just have to move ahead, taking actions & dealing with the consequences afterwards.
Except it’s often a bad idea. “Begging forgiveness” prioritises speed or the desire for action over trust, collaboration & shared success. Many frontline healthcare leaders I'm working with on a current project report that they don’t feel they have the autonomy to take action in the first place, let alone beg forgiveness. It amplifies power differences in organisations.
Today I’ve been working with a group of leaders using a different approach called “radiating intent”. The idea is that the person who wants to take action doesn’t ask permission (or keep their activities secret) but boldly signals their intent to the people who need to know about it. When you signal your intent to your line manager (rather for asking for their permission) they are less likely to micromanage, but they can still intervene if really necessary.
Radiating intent is typically more effective that begging forgiveness because it:
- builds psychological safety & encourages innovation, flexibility & accountability across a team
- gives people who have information, or want to help, an opening to participate
- leaves better evidence of your good will
- shows others that initiative & thinking differently is acceptable in the organisation
How to radiate intent:
1. Identify an upcoming action: a change in process, a new idea to try, or a regular task that might affect others. It is most powerful for actions where you would previously have asked permission.
2. State your intent clearly: write a simple message starting with “I intend to…” Include what you will do, why you are doing it, and who might be affected.
Example: “I intend to test a change in the way we record patient handovers to save time. I believe this will help everyone focus more on actual care. If anyone has concerns or suggestions, please let me know before tomorrow.”
3. Share with the right people: decide who needs to know; e.g., your team (including your boss), people impacted outside your team & others with an interest.
4. Invite responses: give people a chance to ask questions or share advice before you act.
5. Reflect & learn: after you act, note the impact/learning & prepare to signal your intent for your next test of change.
The classic article on radiating intent is by Elizabeth Ayer (based on learning from L David Marquet): https://t.co/fudHKzHPYJ.
I got my introduction to this practice from @tashwillcocks.

[Helen Bevan @HelenBevan]

More evidence about "Teams fatigue". When we use a computer-generated image as a virtual background for our Teams or Zoom calls, we create extra fatigue for other people. Best to go "au naturel" in our background rather than use a graphic when we make Teams calls: https://t.co/PgnXf8Iv8G. By @AdiGaskell.

[Instant Neighbour @InstNeighbour]

🚀 Project SEARCH Aberdeen
A one-year internship helping young people (16-24) with learning disabilities & autism gain skills & work experience. With 3 placements at @aberdeenuni + a City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate, it boosts employability—10x the national average! #Inclusion

[First Steps Nutrition Trust @1stepsnutrition]

Honored to have been on the committee for this update which took a monumental 3 yrs! If your work supports eating well/feeding/nutrition among pregnant/breastfeeding women, women & families with babies & young children, in their homes, early years settings or where ever, DO READ!

[Children's Health Scotland @ChildHealthScot]

Referrals are open for our SMS Programmes!
Self-Management Skills help children and young people living with a health condition to take control of their health and wellbeing. Do you know a child aged 9-17 who could benefit? Find out more, or refer here👉 https://t.co/J0h5NfM66B

[Grampian We Care @GrampianWeCare]

Coming up this month we have the first of our Wellbeing Tea and Tallk sessions which will look at Understanding Resilience & Top Tips for Building & Maintaining Resilience. Join us MON 27th Jan 9:45-10:45 via MS Teams all welcome @NHSGrampian @NHSGEqualities @nhsgcharity

[Alison Morton OBE💙 @Alison_Morton2]

Read our @iHealthVisiting response to this important research @UCL_CPRU on what parents and professionals want from child development reviews 👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿- spoiler alert🚨- pretty much the same things👇

[Thérèse Lebedis OBE @therese_jackson]

Dr Emma Eaton S&LT at Fraserburgh stroke rehabilitation unit sharing her research at #UKSF24 on the return to work experiences of people with post stroke communication disorders 👏🏻 @UKStrokeForum

[Memorial Device @memorialdevice]

Turnips, not pumpkins.

[COPEScotland @COPEScotland]

Thank you for the follow @wdhscp appreciated. There are many tools, ideas and resources on our site offering ideas for kindness to self, each other and the planet, please feel free to visit and share https://t.co/b91armQwJM

[Clare McGuire @McGuire_Clare]

🔔#HealthVisitor in Scotland? Still looking for participants ⬇️⬇️

[Parenting across Scotland @ScotParents]

As part of Parenting Week, we are delighted to be taking part in a four nation joint webinar to discuss the challenges facing parent-carers in each nation, and how we can work together going forward!

Wednesday 23 October | 10am - 11:30am

Sign up here: https://t.co/SfoExXPrqK

[COPEScotland @COPEScotland]

Please share in your networks @GlasTSINetwork @NWGVSN @DRCYouthProject @3DDrumchapel In a time when there seems more to do than time to do it, making time for selfcare can seem a luxury. Its not, its an act of self preservation & can also help improve team wellbeing & morale

[Rachel Gardiner QN @rachelgardine16]

Lovely evening at the Scottish Parliament with @QNI_Scotland nurses celebrating the fabulous work being done by community nurses, very excited to get a first look at our #ThinkCOULD poster @KerryLDNurse93 @heatherduff19 @KarenLa48146485 @Craig_268 @jamieson_cat @CaroleM1811 @xzoe

[QNIS @QNI_Scotland]

Nominations for the Queen's Nurse Development Programme 2025 are open!

This flagship nine-month programme offers community-based nurses and midwives the chance to undertake a 'journey of discovery'.

Deadline: 12noon, 6 November

Click here for more:
https://t.co/LPrey2zs7E

[Paula McGowan OBE @PaulaMc007]

#Oliverscampaign
I cried reading this:

I have been given permission to share this autistic childs thoughts on school & why it is inaccessible for her
#SEND #autismacceptance #AutismAwareness
#edutwitter

[Bethan Murdoch @BethMurdoch18]

The first clinical skills day for trainee health visitors in @NHSGrampian was a great success yesterday! Great opportunity to meet peers and great presentations. Look forward to the next one! Thank you to all those involved! @HSCAberdeen @Lisalawril1

[Nicola Dickie QN @NikkiDickie]

@emmaw1717 Have the best time @emmaw1717 Sounds like the perfect place to relax and recharge

[Brigid Russell @brigidrussell51]

The impact of a leadership programme can't be measured in transactional outputs, objective ratings, & promotions. If it's truly about development, its impact will be felt in relational connections, collaboration, & lifelong learning experienced by people way beyond the programme.