The nursing profession in the modern healthcare system requires the development of various skills. Leadership qualities take an important place among them. Nursing is becoming more and more interdisciplinary and requires more complex coordination, which makes the acquisition and development of transformative leadership skills evident. Transformative leadership is defined as a “leadership style intended to motivate and inspire followers to pursue higher-order goals” (Giddens, 2018, p. 117). In other words, the focus is to change people’s behavior by emphasizing values when communicating with them. It is understood that the nurse should be able to transform the followers’ attitudes, beliefs, and values. Thus, transformative leadership involves influencing the members of the organization, forming a shared vision and values within it.
The concept includes several key competencies that can be achieved through professional progress, training, and education. Fischer (2016) mentioned that “transformative leaders are not born, but developed” (p. 2647). Gradually, the notion of four competencies was formed: “idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration” (Giddens, 2018, p. 118). The leader must be a model of morality, commitment, and passion for others. Charisma is also needed to form and convey a correct and convincing attitude. Other important qualities are to instill a sense of purpose and team in employees. It is essential to develop creativity and critical thinking, as well. A transformative leader listens to followers, gives advice or feedback, coach and mentor them.
This leadership style leads to positive changes not only in the organization but also in its members. A transformative leader is “generally energetic, enthusiastic and passionate [as well as]…concerned and involved in the process [and] focused on helping every member of the group” (Fischer, 2016, p. 2650). The implication of transformational leadership techniques can increase individual performance, as well as improve the interaction of organizations and groups. In the healthcare system context, the concept leads to increased employee satisfaction. It influences the motivation and “greater organizational commitment among nurses” (Giddens, 2018, p. 118). Transformative leadership also affects emotional intelligence development. Therefore, to improve patient care and safety performance of nurses.
A transformative leadership style combines many other types and involves a wide range of skills. I think that I have most of the necessary skills, as I can be an inspiring leader, articulate tasks. I also have the charisma and confidence to be an authority on the team. I often take a coaching approach in communicating with people, trying to help them to acquire the necessary skills, give advice based on my experience and knowledge. Nevertheless, I assume that it is essential for me to develop organizational qualities, improve the skills of coordinating work between teams and system managing. I need to grow as a professional nurse and clinical practitioner. Health policy includes interacting with people and educating them on medical information, which I can do.
I identified my leadership style as coaching, so I chose the topic of Health Promotion. After analyzing the case, I identified six competencies necessary for successful resolution: consulting (medical information and advice), evidence-based practice (collecting and analyzing data), collaboration (engaging different teams). The other two are ethical decision-making (about faith organizations) and direct clinical practice (interaction with patients), coaching (mentoring participants). The nurse should play different roles to achieve the result: Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Evaluator. Thus, the skills of the professional nurse, clinical practitioner, health policy activist, and system manager are applied. This case mostly involves work on the medical information and analysis of patients, as well as managing skills, which corresponds with my leadership style.
References
Fischer, S. A. (2016). Transformational leadership in nursing: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(11), 2644-2653.
Giddens, J. (2018). Transformational leadership: What every nursing dean should know. Journal of Professional Nursing, 34, 117-121.