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I watched the Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows during the christmas holiday period. It reminded me that I need to go back and read the books as I am sure they are lots of subplots that I missed.

But I also notice that Neville gets a pretty raw deal compared to Harry Potter. If I was going to be a hero, Neville Longbottom is the hero I would like to be. Little point in believing I am not a geek. But at least a geek who achieves things, a quiet leader.

Neville Longbottom: So how are we going to get to London?

Harry Potter: Look, it’s not that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done, all of you, but – but I’ve got you into enough trouble as it is.

[walks past everyone]

Neville Longbottom: Dumbledore’s Army’s supposed to be about doing something real.

[Harry stops turns around to face them]

Neville Longbottom: Or was all that just words to you?

[extract from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]

The concept of leadership in medicine is pejoratively and passionately pontificated. The impossibility of everyone being a stereotypical ‘leader’ balanced with the importance of all professionals needing to demonstrate ‘leadership’. Harry Potter is commonly seen as the former archetype but not everyone can be a ‘Harry’.

Why does Harry become a leader? Was it a subtle instinct to act the right time, a mindset to never embrace negativity or simply just being in the right place at the right time. Like many leadership journeys it will be difficult to know.

In respect of journeys not everyone sees Neville as a traditional leader but from a hesitant awkward beginning he quietly goes about his business supporting those who need help. He actually has much in common with Harry. Their values and motivations are no different and he ultimately co-ordinates a resistance movement in Harry’s absence. Neville demonstrates true leadership by followership.

Perhaps it is time for us to acknowledge the Neville Longbottom’s of the healthcare system. Those that deliver, sometimes in the absence of guidance, even when everything is stacked against them. The Neville’s appreciate the desire to be involved in creating an effective, high quality healthcare  (it’s not just the Harrys) but acknowledge the system doesn’t give everyone the chance to help deliver it.

This blog was originally written for the 2014 NHS Change Day to highlight the Schools for Healthcare Radicals. You can learn more about Change Day and Radicals in Healthcare