Devon Berry, Nurse Leader, On Writing for Speaking

Devon Berry, RN, PhD is the prior Executive Associate Dean at Oregon Health and Science University. Over the past decade, Dr. Berry has served in multiple nursing leadership positions in academic settings. Across all of these positions, nursing leader Dr. Berry has come to appreciate the importance of the relationship between strong writing skills and strong speaking skills. He has noted that many leaders shy away from carefully manuscripting important speaking engagements.

Devon Berry, academic leader and nursing faculty, believes that the level of scrutiny under which leadership often functions demands that the leader practice a careful stewardship of words. He states that this stewardship can play itself out in one of several ways. First, Dr. Berry identifies those speaking opportunities which are more spontaneous leaving little time for preparation. Often, three to four minutes of uninterrupted reflection can result in sufficient notes for an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. Nursing leader Devon Berry believes that a little preparation is often far better than no preparation especially if the individual is not a naturally gifted speaker. Furthermore, Berry states, leaders often say things they later wish they had not when working without notes.

Serving in executive roles, says Dr. Berry, deans, associate deans, and other nursing leaders will often have the opportunity to accept formal speaking engagements. For such engagements, much can be gained from fully manuscripting a talk before it is given. Devon Berry, nursing leader and prior associate dean, reflects that the point of manuscripting is not so that the speaker can blandly read through pages of content. Rather, he states, manuscripting ensures that the speaker has carefully thought through all of their ideas and formed a coherent and logical progression for their comments. Nursing leader Devon Berry believes that this level of preparation when fused with careful attention to audience interest and expressive delivery can make all the difference between a strong or weak presentation.

Devon Berry, Nurse Leader, on Organizational Culture

Nursing leader Devon Berry has served in Executive Dean, Executive Director, Director and Senior Consulting roles in various academic settings over the past 10 years. As an administrator, Dr. Berry is continually considering the impact of culture on the success of an organization and on the satisfaction of the people he serves. It just so happens that he is a member of a family that enjoys making its own kombucha. Between organizational culture and kombucha, nursing leader Devon Berry sees many parallels.

Devon Berry believes that when making kombucha, it is important to have the key ingredients in place. Tea, a source of sugar, and, of course, your scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Dr. Berry states, “Each one of these elements uniquely contributes to the flavor and fizz of good kombucha.” As an organizational leader and prior executive associate Dean, nurse Devon Berry shares that creating an organizational culture also requires key ingredients. Among these ingredients are organizational structure, mission, and the attitudes and behaviors of the people that make up the organization. Berry says that when these ingredients are put together, they create a unique culture that distinguishes one organization from another.

Leading an academic organization, shares executive nursing leader Devon Berry, is marked by an intentional and process-oriented approach to developing culture. Similar to making a great kombucha, learning the steps and patiently working through them is key. As a nurse and a leader, Devon Berry has learned that rushing through, or skipping over, steps in the culture building process, rarely yields the intended results.

Devon Berry, Nursing Leader, On Commuting

Thinking about how an individual commutes is an important consideration for academic nursing leader Devon Berry, RN, PhD. Serving most recently as the Executive Associate Dean, Devon Berry believes that the necessity of commuting creates many opportunities for personalizing this aspect of  life in a manner that reflects one's individual tastes and commitments. Berry believes that there are at least three important considerations: Environmental, economic, and health. As a nurse and leader, Dr. Berry sees each of these areas as elements that touch on both his personal and professional life.

Berry understands that there are many different views on the importance of the environment and the direction it is moving. Regardless of one’s perspective, there is the opportunity to make decisions that reflect one’s own value set. As an academic Dean and nursing leader, Devon Berry works with people frequently to help clarify and align values with actions. He believes a simple question everyone can ask is, “Does this choice align with what I want to be true about the best version of myself?” Whether bicycle, car, train, or bus, we can all reflect on our answer to this question.

Berry believes that another important consideration is economics. He encourages people to do the simple calculations that will lead them to factual comparisons about the cost of their choices. Dr. Berry states that time, which has a real value, should be taken into account in these calculations. Even if one does not select the most efficient choice, they will have the piece of mind knowing they understand the opportunity cost associated with their decision. Finally, as a nurse, Devon Berry believes that taking health into account is an especially important consideration. Berry reflects that the long-term health consequences of sitting in a car for an hour versus walking for an hour are significant. Whenever possible, he believes that the opportunity for movement should be maximized. As a leader in academic nursing, Devon Berry hopes that all nurses and all commuters will take into account these three aspects of their commute.