The manifestation of leadership qualities is a feature that management often encourages at any team. Nursing, in this case, is not an exception. However, to ensure that these properties do not contradict some ethical norms, an employee should take into account several factors. For example, the ability to manage the available time wisely, find an approach to colleagues and superiors, work with modern media, feel changes in the team, and so on. It is these criteria that are fundamental to the process of forming the role of leader, and if a person realizes them competently, the chance to gain recognition becomes significantly higher.
Time Management and Leadership Theories
Nursing organizations recognize the importance of time management. The fact is that nursing is a profession that sometimes requires a rather rapid response to a variety of problems. There are times when time plays a principal role in the process of treatment and care, and then the introduction of the techniques of time management is just inevitable. It is important not only to calculate all available time correctly during the process of work but at the same time to achieve efficiency. This ability contributes to recognition by the superiors and is an integral part of a successful activity.
As for the theory of leadership, there are two main hypotheses. Odumeru and Ogbonna (2013) formulated the basic principles or, as they call them, styles. The first is Transformational leadership, the essence of which is the following: a potential leader seeks to inspire his or her colleagues with some positive examples and charisma. The second approach is the opposite and is related to the theory of authoritarianism when the leader applies the classical scheme of rewards and punishments (Odumeru and Ogbonna, 2013). Both approaches are quite popular today, and everyone can find both pros and cons.
Personality and Its Influence on Leadership
This factor plays a significant role not only in the sphere of nursing but any other work. Although different authors of scientific works write about the features of nature and its properties quite often, there hasn’t been presented the clear interrelation of the three key components: personality, leadership, and intelligence (Cohen, Ornoy, & Keren, 2013). Besides, Cohen et al. (2013) introduce a theory of the five essential qualities of character that plays a significant role in the work process: “Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism” (p. 79). Other theories also indicate that a person can be viewed from a variety of approaches.
Proper management can principally transform this or that organization for the better, and the person here plays far from the last role. Particular attention can be paid to Stephen Covey’s recommendations for effective leaders, where the author presents different approaches and suggests the theory that the basis of success is constant cooperation (Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people review, n.d.). Perhaps, one of the most optimal approaches to manage a leader’s personality is to observe a certain balance between strengths and weaknesses. It is likely to be the most efficient method in a health care environment.
Conflict Management
As it is known, disputes in the workplace are quite a common and sometimes rather natural phenomenon. In the work of a nurse, there is also a misunderstanding with colleagues, which leads to quarrels and mutual insults. It contradicts the moral and ethical norms of labor relations and negatively affects the microclimate in the team. Scholars present several theories about such conflicts, and one of them is proposed by Cummings and Worley (2015). The authors consider the misunderstanding in the team the violation of balance; they also state that the forces and opinions of the two opposing sides operate in different directions. There are other views on this matter, and each of them has a particular social implication.
If we consider two such concepts as conflict and leadership, then there can be some relationship. For example, in nursing, one of the frequent causes of misunderstanding is the unwillingness of one of the parties to fulfill some immediate duties. Sometimes, a person explains this reluctance by the fact that routine tasks, which he is forced to do daily, have bored him. In this case, there is an opportunity to show leadership qualities, reconciling both sides and assigning them the appropriate tasks that are interesting to them and at the same time useful. Nevertheless, conflict management does not require the frequent involvement of the qualities of a leader, and many problematic situations can be solved simply without resorting to severe measures.
Emotional Intelligence
It is no secret that one of the essential components of successful management in the sphere of health care is the property of emotional intelligence. Stoller (2013) emphasizes that successful management is realized when a leader solves all the issues regarding the quality of the care provided. Moreover, an emotional component deserves mentioning because a professional specialist in medicine, as a rule, should not succumb to feelings and act solely according to impulses. It is necessary not only to monitor the actions of employees but also to be sure that none of them will be guided by emotions as the primary factor for making a decision. The leader, who helps employees overcome stress, demonstrates a rather successful strategy.
Furthermore, it is necessary for employees themselves to be able to control and identify the emotions of their wards. According to Kaur, Sambasivan, and Kumar (2013), those nurses who can distinguish the emotions of patients show high results of the professional activity. Although there is no such discipline as emotional intelligence in the curriculum, it may be that the appropriate training of nurses could contribute to their professional growth and sharpen their leadership qualities.
Role of Nursing Informatics
Nursing informatics is a significant part of the modern world as an increasing number of medical institutions and communities use innovative tools that improve the quality of care. For example, electronic databases make it possible to exchange all the necessary information about a particular patient quickly. Besides, many nurses are participants in various online courses that help them acquire new knowledge and skills, assist them broaden their horizons and help to establish interaction with one another. Nursing informatics is one of the ways to strengthen a nurse’s leadership qualities. Superiors appreciate high results shown in a particular online seminar or the rapid operation of electronic patient monitoring systems. It, in its turn, means that a nurse is awarded praise and earns credibility among colleagues.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be said that in the process of working, nurses face daily challenges and difficulties, and following certain rules and regulations allows employees to earn credibility and gain recognition. Throughout the practice of medical care, nurses should develop necessary skills like time management or emotional intelligence. The opportunity to use electronic resources that simplify the work and help to self-develop also deserves mentioning.
References
Cohen, Y., Ornoy, H., & Keren, B. (2013). MBTI personality types of project managers and their success: A field survey. Project Management Journal, 44(3), 78-87.
Cummings, T. G., & Worley, C. G. (2015). Organization development and change (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
Kaur, D., Sambasivan, M., & Kumar, N. (2013). Effect of spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence, psychological ownership and burnout on caring behaviour of nurses: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22, 3192-3202. Web.
Odumeru, J. A., & Ogbonna, I. G. (2013). Transformational vs. Transactional leadership theories: Evidence in literature. International Review of Management and Business Research, 2(2), 355-361.
Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people review. (n.d.). Web.
Stoller, J.K. (2013). Recommendations and remaining questions for health care leadership training programs. Academic Medicine, 88(1), 12-15. Web.