Leadership is an essential factor that determines the level of performance and success in organizations. Leaders influence relationships among employees and between their institutions and various stakeholders. The great man theory is one of the perspectives used to explain why some individuals have abilities to guide others, teams, or organizations toward the achievement of particular goals and objectives. An evaluation of the great man and its usefulness will help explain how it reflects the leadership components of the RN’s role and enhances inter-professional practice.
The great man theory proposes that leadership is an inborn quality. The perspective asserts that great leaders in society are not made; instead, they are born. The concept holds that such qualities as intelligence, charm, courage, judgment, persuasiveness, action orientation, commanding personality, aggressiveness, and charm cannot be learned or taught formally (Mouton, 2017). These abilities are transmitted through genes, and you either have or do not have them. The theory implies that leaders are God’s gift to humankind, and not everyone aspires to become leaders. The inborn characteristics of leadership are essential and sufficient for individuals to influence their followers and be successful (Mouton, 2017). Also, headship features and effectiveness do not depend on each other. Therefore, different factors, including followers’ needs, socioeconomic environment, and task demand, have an insignificant impact on one becoming a leader. Indeed, great leaders have charisma, and their factions view them with admiration, and their actions inspire others.
The theory fits with my management style and strengths in different ways. I am more inclined towards transformational leadership, whereby my main objective is to motivate others to own their roles and perform beyond expectations. As a group leader in school, I inspire and encourage members to find the best way of achieving our goals. As a nurse leader, I will be mobilizing employees into teams that can deliver exceptional services, enhancing each associate’s well-being, morale, and the group’s level of motivation through excellent relationships. My strengths include the ability to stir people’s emotions and inspire them, encourage and support them to achieve their objectives and a high level of integrity and fairness. These characteristics are inherent and not taught in any institution. For instance, being honest, reliable, and impartial when leading groups comes naturally, which are vital elements that define a great leader.
Leadership in nursing is important because it influences the quality of care services provided to the patients and the level of job satisfaction among the healthcare workers. The theory reflects leadership components of RNs’ roles, including the provision of support and direction, effective communication, motivating nurses, collaboration, advocating for patients, and collaborating with others as outlined in the NYS nurse practice act (New York State Education Department, 2018). RNs have to support patients and other health care professionals, inspire them, embrace teamwork, convey accurate and reliable information, supervise and lead by example, and promote patients’ well-being to guarantee optimal outcomes. Some of these skills, such as reliability, are inborn and cannot be transmitted through training.
Registered nurses are an essential component of the healthcare system. They are critical members of inter-professional teams and have a significant role in providing quality care to patients (Al-Dossary, 2017). The transformational leadership style will enhance my inter-professional practice by supporting and inspiring other workers effectively. Additionally, the technique will facilitate the pursuance of an excellent relationship with other care providers and promote their well-being to ensure safe and quality services.
References
AL-Dossary, R. (2017). Leadership in nursing. In A. Alvinius (Ed), Contemporary leadership challenges (pp. 251-264). InTechOpen.
Mouton, N. (2017). A literary perspective on the limits of leadership: Tolstoy’s critique of the great man theory. Leadership, 15(1), 81-102. doi: 10.1177/1742715017738823
New York State Education Department. (2018). NYS nursing: Laws, rules & regulations. Article 139.