LEARDERSHIP THEORIES IN PRACTICE

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A walk through the Business section of any bookstore or a quick Internet search on the topic will reveal a seemingly endless supply of writings on leadership. Formal research literature is also teeming with volumes on the subject.

However, your own observation and experiences may suggest these theories are not always so easily found in practice. Not that the potential isn’t there; current evidence suggests that leadership factors such as emotional intelligence and transformational leadership behaviors, for example, can be highly effective for leading nurses and organizations.

Yet, how well are these theories put to practice? In this Discussion, you will examine formal leadership theories. You will compare these theories to behaviors you have observed firsthand and discuss their effectiveness in impacting your organization.

Review the Resources and examine the leadership theories and behaviors introduced.
Identify two to three scholarly resources, in addition to this Module’s readings, that evaluate the impact of leadership behaviors in creating healthy work environments.
Reflect on the leadership behaviors presented in the three resources that you selected for review.

Post two key insights you had from the scholarly resources you selected. Describe a leader you have seen use such behaviors and skills, or a situation where you have seen these behaviors and skills used in practice. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain to what extent these skills were effective and how their practice impacted the workplace.

 

Sample Solution

This discussion prompt encourages a comparative analysis of formal leadership theories and their practical application in healthcare organizations, specifically focusing on the impact of leadership behaviors on creating healthy work environments.

Key Leadership Theories and Behaviors

Based on the module’s readings and common leadership theories, here are two key concepts to consider:

  1. Transformational Leadership: This style emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers to exceed expectations. Transformational leaders often exhibit behaviors such as:
    • Charisma: Inspiring trust and admiration.
    • Intellectual stimulation: Challenging followers to think critically and creatively.
    • Individualized consideration: Providing support and coaching.
  2. Authentic Leadership: This approach emphasizes leaders being true to themselves and their values. Authentic leaders often demonstrate:
    • Self-awareness: Understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, and values.
    • Relational transparency: Being open and honest in their communication.
    • Internalized moral perspective: Acting based on their own ethical principles.

Scholarly Resources

  • Resource 1: “The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Nurses’ Job Satisfaction and Intent to Leave” by Kim et al. (2015)
  • Resource 2: “Authentic Leadership and Employee Engagement in Healthcare Organizations” by Avolio et al. (2009)

Key Insights and Examples

Insight 1: Transformational leadership can significantly impact employee satisfaction and retention.

  • Example: A nurse manager I worked with exhibited strong transformational leadership qualities. She was always supportive and encouraging, and she challenged us to think critically and creatively. This created a positive and motivating work environment, and I observed high levels of job satisfaction among the team.

Insight 2: Authentic leadership can foster trust and engagement among employees.

  • Example: A physician I worked with was known for his authenticity and transparency. He was always open and honest with the team, and he treated everyone with respect. This created a sense of trust and camaraderie, and I observed high levels of employee engagement and commitment.

Effectiveness and Impact:

In both examples, the leaders’ behaviors had a positive impact on the workplace. Transformational leadership led to increased job satisfaction and retention, while authentic leadership fostered trust, engagement, and a positive work culture. These leadership styles can be highly effective in creating healthy work environments and improving patient outcomes.

Conclusion

While formal leadership theories provide valuable frameworks for understanding effective leadership, their practical application can vary. By incorporating transformational and authentic leadership behaviors, healthcare organizations can create positive and supportive work environments that benefit both employees and patients.

 

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