CRITICAL LEADERSHIP

Analysis of a Critical Leadership Incident



Analysis of a Critical Leadership Incident

Introduction

Nursing leadership is a process that promotes the improvement of conditions health and life of the population, the achievement of care goals characteristic of the profession, and achieves the goals proposed in the health services. Therefore, it is a social, professional, organisational process. It promotes the social, professional and organisational. Given the importance of leadership as a promoter of development, it is necessary more, and more nurses have the skills to practice with master this process in the area where they play. The importance of effective leadership in health care has been emphasized by a number of authors (Herold and Fedor 2008, 130-141), (Foster-Turner, 2006, 111-120), (Cameron and Green, 2009, 89-101), and nursing leadership is pivotal to this as nurses represent the largest discipline in health care.

Research on leadership has demonstrated a positive relationship with improved patient safety outcomes; healthy work environments; job satisfaction, lower turnover rates; and positive outcomes for organisations, patients and healthcare providers. While it can be argued that there are many challenges confronting nurse leaders at the present time (new roles, new technology, financial constraints, greater emphasis on participation, cultural diversity and education), it must be emphasized that leadership should not be viewed as an optional role or function for nurses. Leadership must exist in every healthcare facility where effecting change and achieving high standards of patient care stipulated in job titles, such as Director of Nursing, Nurse Consultant or Modern Matron. However, the taking on of a leadership role by itself is not sufficient for ensuring the effectiveness. The leader must be knowledgeable about leadership and be able to apply leadership skills in all aspects of work Barr and Dowding (2008, 101-115) suggest that, on the whole, nurses are not adequately prepared for the role of leader during their nursing education programs. This gap between adequate educational preparation and the demands of the clinical setting can result in ineffective leadership, in nursing.

There are many different leadership styles present in the healthcare setting. Leadership should be thought as behaviour, something done by an individual to influence another. This influence may take many forms and requires creativity to be effective. The style of the manager can be important for subordinates' acceptance of change and in motivating them to achieve high quality of care. Leadership ability is fundamental in influencing a group to achieve the stated vision and goals.

Pierce and Newstrom (2006, 167-181) discussed in detail the common leadership styles known to most leaders: autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, transformational, situational, and quantum leadership. The authors suggested new nurses should seek employment at an organisation that matches their preferred leadership and management styles. Autocratic leadership, also known as directive leadership, the leader take complete control over activities of the group and decision making without consideration of subordinates' feelings or ideas. In the past, this style of leadership was common in most hospitals, but now this approach is being replaced with democratic ...