• Different leadership styles may be used by a leader depending on the situation. Leaders choose a style to fit their own goals, but may need to switch styles to one that is more conducive to the scenario, or to those they may be leading. 
• Familiarizing yourself with different leadership styles in nursing can help you develop your own customized leadership approach, while giving you the knowledge to be adaptable should a situation cause you to change your approach. 
• Adding leadership styles in nursing to your repertoire can not only help the performance and success of your organization but makes you a well-rounded nurse. 

Development of leadership styles in nursing is very important to nurses because they help to achieve both personal and professional success.  

At the same time, the degree with which nurses handle difficult patients, colleagues and situations has everything to do with the development of their leadership skills and abilities.  

In this regard, it is important to focus on leadership styles in nursing that can help an individual in their professional and personal development.  

The development of leadership skills should be a fundamental part of students’ education because it will help students to be flexible, while applying their leadership skills and abilities. They will be able to use the most effective leadership styles in nursing. Thus, students will be effective leaders.  

Today, the role of leaders is extremely important for the successful performance of organizations. At the same time, the effective application of leadership qualities highly depends on the approach used by leaders to their associates and subordinates. 

Leadership Styles in Nursing

Transformational

A transformational leader achieves their goals through open lines of communication with staff, demonstrating integrity and respect for the knowledge and experience of followers or staff.  

This fosters mutual respect and leads to gains in staff satisfaction and employee retention, both shown to improve overall patient care and safety. 

The leader with this style of leadership writes a vision for a project but will need to motivate others to make it reality.  

Transactional

In the transactional leadership style, the employee’s personal interest (which oftentimes is opposed to the company’s interest) are the main motivating factors that determines the completion of an assignment.  

This is a rewards-based model. A transactional leader sets performance goals for staff, promises a reward, and provides that reward based upon their successful completion of the goal or imposes a consequence if staff don’t meet their goals.  

This method of leadership can be very effective for getting work done, but it does not foster building relationships at work and inspiring staff to contribute new ideas.  

This leadership model is the one that is most commonly used in the medical industry because it serves as a useful approach for establishing and meeting short-term objectives, such as completing specific tasks, achieving quantifiable patient satisfaction goals, and successfully following all safety protocols. 

Servant

A servant leader exhibits selflessness and maintains focus on the higher needs of their employees while the employees work toward achieving the leader’s vision.  

The servant leader uses self-reflection and awareness to gain insight into their own purpose in life and work, the meaning of their leadership initiatives, and their personal character.  

While mentoring  their staff, they are able to lift up others to greater success, improving morale and the business.  

More Leadership Styles in Nursing

Autocratic

An autocratic leader does not consult with or consider the opinions of others when making decisions. They determine a course of action and relay their ideas with full expectation that employees will complete the assigned actions without question.  

This method of leadership works well in situations requiring quick decision making. 

Democratic

This is the opposite of autocratic leadership. It is also known as “participative leadership.”  

A democratic leader seeks out the input and perspectives of their staff, although they make the final decision.  

This style or model of leadership uses collaboration and discussion to spark an increase in creativity and innovation.  

A major challenge of this model is the situation where the leader must juggle many diverse perspectives and ideas. Some leadership decisions in healthcare require staff input and brainstorming to develop a creative solution to an ongoing challenge.  

The democratic leadership model helps greatly to encourage employee participation in thinking outside of the box. 

Laissez-Faire

The phrase “laissez-faire” literally translates from French as “allow to do.”  This model involves passivity, where the leader provides the tools needed for the employees to work and then steps back to allow them to figure out everything else; this hands-off approach represents a deep level of trust.  

However, by stepping aside and relinquishing responsibility for the decision-making process, laissez-faire leaders risk the situation turning into a total disarray without proper organizational structures in place to guide the company’s direction.  

This style of leadership, in a healthcare environment, is usually a poor approach because there is potential for negativity and discord brought on by the lack of structured leadership. 

The Bottom Line

Among the variety of leadership models, transformational leadership is one of the most popular and widely spread approaches. That is because in this style of leadership, leaders encourage, inspire and motivate employees to be innovative and create changes that will help grow and shape the future of the organization.  

Employees aspiring to become leaders one day will also be prepared to become transformational leaders themselves through mentorship and training. 

Nonetheless, keeping these different leadership styles in nursing in your arsenal will ensure you will be an effective leader in any situation one might be thrown into.

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