Emotional agility among clinical line managers in the VUCA world

Purpose Emotionally agile leadership is increasingly recognised as essential for effective leadership in today’s volatile healthcare environments, where emotional complexity and rapid change prevail. However, little is known about pre-registration nurses’ perceptions of these behaviours during clinical placements. This study examines emotional agility (EA) behaviours among clinical line managers (CLMs) from the perspective of pre-registration nurses in the UK. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data (N = 421) with a thematic analysis (N = 17) of open-ended and text-based questions. Findings Findings generally suggest that emotionally agile leadership – characterised by flexibility, emotional acceptance and responsiveness – positively shapes pre-registration nurses’ well-being and clinical experiences. Regression analysis revealed that perceptions of EA varied by demographic factors such as gender, age, programme level and department. Qualitative insights reinforced the significance of emotionally agile behaviours in cultivating value-driven and emotionally engaging learning environments within the higher education context. This study contributes to the field of healthcare leadership by exploring nursing students’ perceptions of CLMs’ leadership behaviours, emphasising their practical relevance in clinical education settings in higher education. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of healthcare leadership by providing empirical insights into pre-registration nurses’ perceptions of CLMs’ leadership behaviours during practice placements. It underscores the practical relevance of these behaviours in shaping students’ professional development and offers valuable guidance for both academic and clinical educators in reflecting on how their leadership approaches influence the growth of future nurses.