Personal Democratic Style of Leadership
People have come up with different leadership styles to enable them to manage, motivate and direct their employees. The main style I use to lead is democratic or participative. It is because I tend to set parameters for work and make the final say on decisions made by my team. Democratic leaders base their operations on mutual respect with their employees since it requires collaboration (Saleh et al., 2018). As one of them, I actively involve my team members in important decisions as well as engage them for trust to be built and for them to feel valued. However, this style does not work well under a high-pressure environment which requires a fast turnaround. This is because it tends to slow down the process of finding a solution. Besides, as a leader, it may pose a challenge if one dislikes conflicts due to struggling with team members to respond to consultations.
Transactional Leadership
Transactional leadership works well in busy and large business environments. Many organizations embrace this style of leadership because it emphasizes a beneficial structure (Riberio & Sanna, 2016). For instance, most multinational corporations, law enforcement, and military use this style because most employees may not be speaking a similar language. I would prefer this style because, in the end, it rewards self-motivated and dedicated persons, and in a hospital environment, dedication to work is fundamental. The style also encourages productivity, and because of the performance review, all employees put in the extra effort.
Comparison of Styles with Colleagues
Comparing my leadership style to those of my members, I realize that there is a range of differences and similarities. Some are authoritarian. The latter is useful when the team wants to execute a task using a specific set of rules. Besides, it is also significant when one has all information to fulfill a task, is short on time, or does not want mistakes for plans to be executed. (Kiwanua et al., 2020). The other style is transactional whereby one sets clear goals to be met by his/her members. Failure to achieve them means that one will be punished or rewarded depending on the outcome (Saleh et al., 2018). However, some members share my democratic leadership, as portraying collaborative traits and working on mutual understanding with their teammates.
Importance for Nursing Professionals of being aware of their Leadership Style, Traits, And Practices
Nursing professionals need to know their leadership styles and traits. Efficient nurse management is of the utmost importance to hospitals and health systems as a vital aspect of driving the motivation, productivity, and job satisfaction of a team. According to Kiwanuka et al. (2020), hospital administrators with a firm knowledge of their style of clinical governance would be more effective in guiding their unit and eventually drive improved patient care. In addition, acknowledging that good performance depends heavily on the leader’s confidence should enable them to consider the various forms of management styles (Kiwanuka et al., 2020). It is also important to know their traits as this will give them a clear picture of their weaknesses and strengths as far as leadership is concerned. In addition, the nurse can understand that it benefits his/her staff and patients to understand the merits of the staff working as a unit.
Leadership Styles For Effective Communication and Best Traits
As an effective and efficient leader, consistent and precise communication acts as an important factor for progress. Leaders and their staff must learn how to interact well, as this will not only allow teams to effectively complete their tasks but will also encourage organizations to achieve success and development. On one hand, to be effective in interaction with a team, one has to possess leadership styles which mainly include; Democratic, Transformational, autocratic, and servant (Ribeiro & Sanna, 2016). On the other hand, the necessary traits for a good communicating leader include charisma, self-motivation, empathy, emotional stability, and transparency. A leader must know how to use these styles and traits since communication helps them convey their messages clearly in ways that speak to the sentiments and goals of their employees.
Best Traits for Effective communication
Charisma makes a leader unique from others in terms of their style. Most transformational leaders are usually charismatic and are noted in managing high-performing teams (Riberio & Sanna, 2016). A professional leader must also be self-motivated and lead by example. Self-motivation depicts the ability to draw motivation from one’s personality. As a leader in the nursing profession, therefore, the trait is of importance when delivering or undertaking duties. According to Saleh et al (2018), transparency in communication is significant for effective communication as a leader. A leader must always be impartial and transparent throughout their governance tenure.
How Transformational Leadership Styles Influence Effective Communication
Transformational leadership is an approach where one promotes, empowers, and motivates workers to innovate and effect change. According to Ribeiro and Sanna (2016). It happens for development and influence of potential success to the business by the manager setting an example from the executive position. It also includes leaders taking their goals and visions and figuring out ways to communicate with each of their participants. It involves individual attention to inspire and engage them. Moreover, the capacity to develop a message which is straightforward, imaginative, and inspirational involves an in-depth use of communication skills. The success of this type of leader is always derived from their ability to generate motivational information which should be contextual and also accurate (Ribeiro & Sanna, 2016). A common component in this style is intellectual stimulation which needs the authoritative member to challenge others to achieve greater results.
How Democratic Leadership Styles Impact Effective Communication
Administrators who adopt a democratic leadership style depend on staff suggestions to make organizational decisions. Two significant aspects of this style are preciseness and timeliness of communication. To create a network of communication within their structure, they must be organized. It can enable the effective exchange of information for the enhancement of relationships between them and their teammates (Fischer, 2017). Apart from that, leaders can develop manuals for workers which will enable them to determine the kinds of decisions they may make without the staff’s feedback and what circumstances could. involve the opinion of all (Kiwanuka et al., 2020). Furthermore, this kind of leader needs to provide all workers with relevant information promptly and then be able to gather employee feedback to make a decision.
How Autocratic Leadership Styles Influences Communication
The autocratic form of leadership puts high emphasis on the leader as the sole person in charge of all decision-making processes. A more authoritative mode of communication is used whereby one straightforwardly gives orders. kind of management involves creating very precise and timely messages since interaction with the employees is always minimal (Kiwanuka et al., 2020). However, officials seem to be the only ones to trigger a conversation, and the members’ responses and contributions to issues are hardly taken into account. In addition to that, the use of this style may result in a vertical form of address which means it can either be only downward or upward. The limitation of this method of interaction is typical that it may require a long time for the original message to be accessed by the intended members. as it has to go through several networks.
What Servant Leadership Styles Involves
A servant-leader concentrates mainly on the development and well-being of members and societies which they lead. According to Ribeiro, and Sanna. (2016), this style means putting others’ needs first and helping them to grow and function as effectively as possible. The key to good communication, in this case, is giving the employees a chance to speak by giving them an attentive ear. Besides, they practice socialization with their subordinates which enables them to learn the non-verbal way they communicate so they can know how to respond to them (Davidson et al., 2018). A common skill possessed by this kind of leader is empathy which requires one to be thoughtful of his/her team members’ thoughts and feelings. This also involves the timely and persuasive conveyance of messages as they demonstrate interest, warmth, and respect.
How Servant Leadership Can Be Incorporated In Nursing
The nursing professionals through their leadership can incorporate servant governance in different ways. Firstly, they look at the employees’ needs and actively find out how they can help them solve challenges and support their personal growth. It is possible through empathetic listening whereby the leader consistently listens to the needs of workers and helps to assist them in their decision-making while respecting and empathizing with their needs (Saleh et al., 2018). Secondly, the inclusion of persuasion and conceptualization through avoiding the use of hierarchical power by employing convincing abilities can be important (Saleh et al., 2018). Moreover, Scully (2015) points that the above can help in delivering a clear message of the targets of the clinic rather than the administrative differences between the nurses. The is very important to the welfare of patients as it creates a responsible, friendly, and time-conscious environment.
Top Leadership practices which Influence Effective Communication
Among the top leadership traits for good communication is charisma. For nursing professionals, this trait is regarded as a valuable skill as it provides a positive effect on the patients and employees, particularly in times of crisis and transition Ribeiro and Sanna (2016). The form of governing is important since it involved inspirational motivation whereby the leaders influence their colleagues to behave like them by the way they conduct themselves. It is usually important in helping them to overcome problems easily by emulation of what their seniors do. Another trait is emotional stability which proves important in handling critical psychological cases (Davidson et al., 2018). Good managers should be able to control themselves during crises and communicate in a way that portrays strength for their members to emulate and have trust in them. Leaders must also be transparent so that their colleagues can be in a better position to offer solutions and insights in case of any challenges in the hospital.
Unique Challenges In Nursing Leadership
Nursing leadership just like other professions experience challenges. Some of them include generational differences whereby they have to lead from young to old professionals. These come with a wide range of skills, habits, and communication styles. In addition, the ethical environment of a healthcare institution is always as strong. However, they have to be excellent in the principles that govern their team members and know how to communicate with them for a friendly working environment (Fischer, 2017). Apart from that, another demerit experienced in this field is competition for physician talent Among the top leadership traits for good communication is charisma. For nursing professionals, this trait is regarded as a valuable skill as it provides a positive effect on the patients and employees, particularly in times of crisis and transition. According to Ribeiro and Sanna (2016), some of the leadership traits include excellent communication is charisma. For nursing professionals, this trait is regarded as a valuable skill as it provides a positive effect on the patients and employees, particularly in times of crisis and transition. This form of governing is important since it involves inspirational motivation whereby the leaders influence their colleagues to behave like them by the way they conduct themselves. it is always important in helping them to overcome problems easily by emulation of what their seniors do. Another trait is emotional stability which proves important in handling critical psychological cases. Good managers should be able to control themselves during crises and communicate in a way that portrays strength for their members to emulate and have trust in them.
References
Davidson, E. S., Mitchell, A., Beverly, C., Brown, L. M., Rettiganti, M., Walden, M., & Wright, P. (2018). Psychometric properties of the authentic leadership inventory in the nursing profession. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 26(2), 364–377. Web.
Fischer, S. A. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing education: Making the case. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 124–128. Web.
Kiwanuka, F., Nanyonga, R. C., Sak‐Dankosky, N., Muwanguzi, P. A., & Kvist, T. (2020). Nursing leadership styles and their impact on intensive care unit quality measures: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management. Web.
Ribeiro Neves, V., & Sanna, M. C. (2016). Concepts and practices of teaching and exercise of leadership in Nursing. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 69(4). 733(740). Web.
Saleh, U., O’Connor, T., Al-Subhi, H., Alkattan, R., Al-Harbi, S., & Patton, D. (2018). The impact of nurse managers’ leadership styles on ward staff. British Journal of Nursing, 27(4), 197-203. Web.
Scully, N. J. (2015). Leadership in nursing: The importance of recognising inherent values and attributes to secure a positive future for the profession. Collegian, 22(4), 439–444. Web.