This week provided new insight about leadership and management. I had never heard about the three types of leadership. I understand what autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership is. I learned that there isn't just one of these types that is always the right one to use. Through the DISC personality test I learned what personality type I am most compatible with and which one I resemble the most. I realized that it is important to understand who you are and what traits you have that make you a leader and how you can improve.
How do leadership and management theories impact the nursing leadership role?
Through my research, there are many different leadership theories but there were four that I found to be most helpful. Trait theories, behavioral theories, contingency theories, and power and influence theories. Trait theories say the effective leaders share some common personality traits. In nursing, a good charge Rn or nurse manager share similar qualities. Behavioral traits include autocrative, democratic, and laissez-faire types. In nursing, each of these is good in different situations. Running a code requires a more autocratic style, democratic is useful when making changes to how things are done on the unit and what the employees would prefer. Laissez-faire is useful when discussing schedules or things that may not need to be so strict. The contingency theory is related to the behavioral traits. Good leaders know when to use each style and the situation determines how to lead. Power and influence theories use power and influence to get things done. In nursing this happens everyday. Nurses have an influence over their patients and coworkers and through that influence and authority things get done.
I spoke to one of the program managers on my unit regarding her thoughts and expectations about assuming a leadership role. She said she was definitely nervous but knew there would be help all around her. She said she expected it to be difficult, she expected to have more answers and more knowledge, and she expected others to be respectful toward her as a program manager. She said she felt that most of her expectations were met but it was harder than she had imagined at first. She learned that being a leader isn't always easy, you won't know all the answers but it is how you handle situations and how you can help others that come to you that really matter and show true leadership qualities.
2. Discuss your feelings/experiences from the team activities? Did it change your opinion on the subject? If so, how? If not, why?
I felt the discussion this week was beneficial. When I first read through the list of people I wasn't sure if I would classify each of them as a leader. As I thought about it, I realized that each of them had leadership qualities. As our discussion continued, I realized most of us had similar perspectives about leaders. Leaders don't have to influence and entire country or lead thousands of people. Leaders also may not have a positive influence and they may be leading a destructive path but they are still leaders. Discussing with my peers was helpful and I think we all realized all the different ways to define the word "leader."
3. How you will utilize the information learned in your nursing practice.
I want to actively be thinking about ways that I am being a leader or ways I can improve to become or be a better leader each day I am at work. I want to always look to my superiors and other nurses I work with and try to decide what type of leadership they are using (autocratic, democratic, or laissez-faire). Recognizing that I can be a good leader and I always have that potential is something I want to remember.
4. You personal feelings about the material covered.
I thought this first week was a great way to start off the course. I am excited to learn more about leadership qualities and how I can be a better leader as a nurse.
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