Nursing Leadership Style Analysis

What is considered a leader? Leaders lead an organization by influencing followers. “A leader may or may not have recognized authority within the organization. In many cases, the “power” held by a leader comes from the ability to influence others, through effective communication and interpersonal skills” American Sentinel University (2014).They possess characteristics such as empowering others, providing feedback to others, and are goal oriented. In nursing, there can be leaders at every level, for example, a mentor is considered a leader.
Leadership style is important in the workplace’s productivity and sense of security. “A person’s leadership style has a great deal of influence on the climate and outcome of the work group” Marquis & Houston (2015). A description of a leader will be given by using a
The leadership style that the director of nursing displays is authoritarian. She tends to utilize decision making tactics that does not include others. “Authoritarian leader is characterized by the following behaviors: strong control is maintained over the work place, others are directed with commands, communication flows downward, and criticism is punitive” Marquis & Houston (2015). With this type of leadership, employees because unsupportive of new policies or ideas within the organization and feel unimportant. For example, a new uniform policy was implemented. The policy consisted of all nurses wearing teal uniforms with white jackets, whereas before nurses could wear any color scrubs. The director of nursing didn’t ask for the staff’s opinion on scrub color or consider if there would be any problems with staff even being able to afford new scrubs. However, it has been noticed that many of the nurses are fed up with the director of nursing and tend to search for employment elsewhere. The authoritarian leadership style diminishes the quality of the organization and effect patients in a negative way. Individuals at the lower level