Leadership is a responsibility that requires strong skills to effectively guide a team towards a common goal. It involves demonstrating professionalism to inspire and motivate team members to perform their duties. Every leader has strengths and weaknesses, but a dedicated leader leverages their strengths and the strengths of others to compensate for any shortcomings. This essay aims to reflect on my leadership style, assess my strengths, and explore how they align with various leadership philosophies.
Rationale and Summary for Selecting Each Self-Assessment
There were specific reasons for choosing each self-assessment. The first self-assessment aimed to determine a leader’s ability to reach agreements in discussions where differing opinions exist. This skill is critical for effective decision-making in organizational settings (Kiwanuka et al., 2021). My score for this assessment was 2, indicating familiarity with reflective supervision, but suggesting that improvement is needed.
The second self-assessment focused on evaluating whether leaders engage their team members in decision-making processes. This assessment measures how well a leader nurtures leadership skills in others. I scored 3, which indicates a willingness to help others develop their leadership potential.
The third assessment examined whether a leader is responsive to the needs and concerns of their followers. This is essential for fostering a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated (Kiwanuka et al., 2021). My score of 3 reflects a commitment to addressing the needs of team members.
Leadership Style
The philosophy of care is central to my leadership approach, and it aligns well with transformational leadership. This leadership style emphasizes openness, encouraging leaders to seek input from team members. Transformational leadership promotes intellectual stimulation by fostering innovative thinking within a team (Wang et al., 2018). It encourages leaders to actively listen to their team members, facilitating informed decision-making.
Incorporating Transformational Leadership in a Healthcare Setting
Transformational leadership can significantly impact both the leader and the healthcare organization when its “4 I’s” (inspirational motivation, idealized influence, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation) are applied. Inspirational motivation boosts team confidence by developing a clear vision and communicating expectations effectively. In a healthcare setting, clear communication is crucial for conveying important messages with precision and authority.
Idealized influence involves leading by example, where a leader demonstrates ethical behavior and a willingness to take risks. This establishes trust and sets a high standard for team members. Individual consideration is another key element of transformational leadership. By addressing each team member’s unique needs and motivations, a leader can build strong relationships and foster personal growth (Boamah et al., 2018).
Finally, intellectual stimulation encourages team members to think creatively and contribute to problem-solving. In a healthcare setting, this aspect of transformational leadership allows nurse leaders to involve their teams in critical decision-making processes, promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Areas for Improvement
Based on the assessments, there are areas where I can enhance my leadership skills. Improving decision-making during discussions and embracing ideas from team members are key aspects that require development. One way to achieve this is by finding a mentor who can provide guidance and support. According to Liukka et al. (2018), transformational leaders often seek mentors to enhance the quality of their leadership and services.
Another strategy for improvement is conducting regular personal reflections to identify strengths and weaknesses. Learning hard skills, such as problem-solving and conflict resolution, is also vital for leadership development, especially in situations where team members look to the leader for solutions.
Characteristics of an Effective Nurse Leader
Several characteristics define an effective nurse leader. Emotional intelligence is essential for managing stressors experienced by nurse trainees and team members (Alghamdi, Topp & AlYami, 2018). Effective communication is another critical characteristic, enabling nurse leaders to delegate tasks and engage in decision-making processes efficiently.
Analysis of Leadership Theories and Styles
The behavioral leadership theory aligns with my leadership approach. This theory is based on the belief that leaders are made, not born, and emphasizes learning through observation and mentorship (Al Khajeh, 2018). Democratic leadership is the chosen style that complements this theory, as it promotes collaboration, good communication, and team involvement in decision-making (Liukka et al., 2018). This style strengthens relationships within the team and enhances conflict resolution skills.
References
Alghamdi, M. G., Topp, R., & AlYami, M. S. (2018). The effect of gender on transformational leadership and job satisfaction among Saudi nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74(1), 119-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13385
Al Khajeh, E. H. (2018). Impact of leadership styles on organizational performance. Journal of Human Resources Management Research, 2018, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5171/2018.687849
Boamah, S. A., Laschinger, H. K. S., Wong, C., & Clarke, S. (2018). Effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction and patient safety outcomes. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 180-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.10.004
Kiwanuka, F., Nanyonga, R. C., Sak‐Dankosky, N., Muwanguzi, P. A., & Kvist, T. (2021). Nursing leadership styles and their impact on intensive care unit quality measures: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(2), 133-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13151
Liukka, M., Hupli, M., & Turunen, H. (2018). How transformational leadership appears in action with adverse events? A study for Finnish nurse manager. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(6), 639-646. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12592
Wang, L., Tao, H., Bowers, B. J., Brown, R., & Zhang, Y. (2018). When nurse emotional intelligence matters: How transformational leadership influences intent to stay. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(4), 358-365. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12509
Assignment Overview- APA Assignment: Leadership Style Reflective Essay
The purpose of this assignment is to help students improve their communication skills through the correct application of APA style, which is required throughout the graduate program.
Use the resources provided in the Class Resources and Student Success Center for guidance on APA style. You will find the APA Style Guide in the Student Success Center, which you should consult to complete this assignment.
Assignment Instructions
Self-Assessment
Self-awareness is key to developing leadership skills. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, emotional intelligence, and learning styles can enhance your effectiveness as a nurse leader.
For this assignment, you will complete several self-assessments to gain insights into your personal strengths and areas for growth as a leader. These assessments will help you understand how to improve your leadership abilities. You will need to critically reflect on your results and follow the instructions below to submit your reflection.
Select and complete three self-assessments from the provided resources. Be sure to document the results of each assessment, as you will need them to write the reflection.
Self-Assessment Reflection
Self-awareness is an ongoing process that involves continual introspection. The more you practice self-reflection, the better you will understand your own behavior and adjust your approach to working with others, helping both you and your team achieve professional goals.
Write a reflective essay of 1,000 to 1,250 words that addresses the following:
- Provide a rationale and brief summary for selecting each self-assessment. Summarize the results you received on each.
- Identify the leadership style that most closely aligns with your philosophy of care. Explain what you find appealing about this style.
- Reflect on how you might incorporate elements of this leadership style as you lead in a healthcare or organizational setting.
- Discuss areas for improvement highlighted by the assessments and outline steps to improve your leadership capabilities.
- Analyze the characteristics of an effective professional nurse leader or nursing leadership individual. Discuss these characteristics and explain why they are essential for leadership in nursing.
- Analyze different leadership theories and styles. Select one theory and leadership style that differs from your own, and explain how they support a professional nurse leader. Consider how the theory influences aspects like collaboration, conflict resolution, decision-making, and negotiation.
You are required to reference three to five sources for this assignment. These sources must be published within the last five years and should be relevant to nursing and the assignment criteria.
Additional Instructions
- Complete the “APA Writing Checklist” to ensure that your paper follows APA style and formatting guidelines. Attach the checklist as an appendix at the end of your paper.
- Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines as outlined in the APA Style Guide, available in the Student Success Center.
- Review the rubric provided before beginning the assignment to ensure that you meet the expectations for successful completion.
- Submit your assignment to LopesWrite for plagiarism checking. If you need assistance with LopesWrite, links to technical support articles are available in Class Resources.
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