For my leadership and Management course I was asked "What is your leadership style?". This question was difficult to answer, especially before defining the difference between a leadership role and a management role. Before understanding the difference, these two terms were interchangeable for me. It seemed that you could not have leadership without a management role, however is not the truth. "One must remember that leadership is not necessarily tied to a position of authority and that each of us has the potential, and perhaps the responsibility, to provide leadership in our specific area of practice, our institution, our professional organization, our community, and our profession as a whole" (Grossman & Valiga, p.1, 2009).
I would say that my current leadership style would fall under a democratic and transactional leadership style. Transactional leadership involves a relationship where leaders get a job completed and followers get promotions for the accomplishment of tasks. This type of leadership style is seen throughout many health care organizations and it can also be applied to the relationship between a teacher and their students. After reading further, I realized how important it is for our leaders to develop a transformational leadership style. Transformational leaders and followers "lead one another to higher levels of motivation and morality. This motivation energizes people to perform beyond expectations by creating a sense of ownership in reaching the vision" (Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p.63). Transformational leaders are charismatic, able to instill motivation in others, commit people to action, convert followers to leaders and convert leaders into agents of change. "Transformational leaders have the spirit that creates special leader-follower relationships and promotes individual and group growth" (Grossman & Valiga 2009, p.64). We need more nurse to acquire the characteristics of transformational nurse leaders to effect patient outcomes in a positive way. Now that we are committed to acquiring transformation leadership qualities. where do we start in this process?
It was found that following behaviors indicative of credibility were characteristics that admired leaders possess. The following behaviors reflect characteristics of a credible, transformational leader: supporting, having the courage to do the right thing, challenging, developing and acting as a mentor to others, listening, celebrating good worth, following through on commitments, trusting others, empowering others, making time for people, sharing the vision, opening doors, overcoming hardships, admitting mistakes, advising others, honesty, competency, inspiration and being forward looking (Grossman & Valiga, 2009).
Each of us have the potential to provide leadership that will create new futures, we just need to realize our leadership potential and commit to a vision that encompasses the element of stewardship. "Stewardship is to hold something in trust for another and being responsible for something more than just oneself. It has to do with serving others, rather then serving our own self interests or attempting to control others, and it involves balance of power. In essence, stewardship incorporates "engendering partnerships and empowerment and it occurs when one leads with soul" (Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p. 11).
Personally expanding on this concept, I will reflect on my past orientation experience which was about learning skills that only established skills to meet the jobs minimum exceptions. I will strive to continue to establish a more transformational leader style in my current role as a clinical support associate by role modeling behaviors that are committed to excellence and producing the best patient outcomes. In hopes that this will give me experience with transformational leadership skills that I take with me into my nursing profession. Working along side nurses, gives nurse assistants the unique opportunity to learn skills within their scope of practice that will allow performances that practice at the top Licensure. I am committed to a establishing a spirit that is committed to group growth, empowering others to implement a common vision and igniting passion.
Reference:
Grossman, S. C., & Valiga, T. M. (2009). The new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing, 3e. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
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