While temperamental factors mentioned by Cummings et al (2008), such as extroversion and openness, may not be readily affected by education, there are undoubtedly other communication and relationship building skills that can be developed in training and placement. For instance, emotional intelligence, the ability to integrate and manage emotions and reason, could be developed through training. A recent review exploring the relationship between ‘emotional intelligence’ and nursing leadership cautiously suggests a central role for this ability (Akerjordet and Severinsson, 2010).