The Role of The Nurse Leader
Part 1

Leadership, Managing, and Following

Photo by Win Henderson/FEMA Photo. This image is from the FEMA Photo Library

Tenacity and perseverance is needed, not only in nursing leadership but in all areas of nursing. Specifically, as a nurse leader it is important to have the characteristics of perseverance in order to meet the needs of the nursing population you are serving (Bleich, 2016). There are many times leaders are able to see the changes that must take place in order for the success of nursing. It is important for the leader to stand firm and have the knowledge and skills to show others why the changes are important. Having perseverance to overcome barriers to progression is necessary to achieve established goals (Hlabse, Lindell, & Barsman, 2016). Leadership development occurs through lifelong learning and the foundational knowledge gained through academics and mentoring (Delgado & Mitchell, 2016). Many new nurses do not feel they have the ability to lead or manage within the hospital setting. However, finding a mentor and exemplary leader can help to develop the skills needed to be a well-rounded leader, manager, and/or follower.

Manager Vs. Leader

Having a clear and distinct understanding regarding the differences and similarities between the manager and leader is important for nurses.

Please review the following blog from Western Governors University regarding the importance of understanding the difference between managers and leaders (Western Governors University, 2020) https://www.wgu.edu/blog/leader-vs-manager-difference2005.html

The following infographic contains a description of the different characteristics of the manger and leader (McKale, 2016). https://www.resourcefulmanager.com/leaders-vs-managers/

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EI) was first discussed by Daniel Goleman in 1995 in his book: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.

Servant Leadership

Premise: leaders originate from a desire to serve and that in the course of serving, one may be called to lead

The theory of servant leadership was first utilized by Robert Greenleaf in his essay composed in 1970 (Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, n.d.). Leaders who function as servant leaders are traditionally first seen as a servant. They are trusted individuals who are followed because of the services previously given (Greenleaf, 2014). Nurse are traditional givers. Adding the qualities of a servant leader to nursing will allow the nurse to function as a leader who looks to put the team first. Asking questions from staff to find the best way to offer support, in order to promote growth and development, are the key concepts to a good servant leader (Best, 2020).

Servant Leadership Definition Video

Please click this link to view a brief 2 minute video from the Servant leadership Institute on the qualities that guide a servant leader: Nine Behaviors of Servant Leadership: Live your values

Nurse treats COVID-19 patient Source: US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman/ Public Domain, Wikimedia commons.

Qualities to guide a Servant Leader

• Serve first
• Build trust
• Listen to understand
• Think about your thinking
• Add value to others
• Demonstrate courage
• Increase your influence
• Live your transformation

Servant Leadership Behaviors and Characteristics

Please review this Open Educational Resource which further explains the 10 characteristics which are central to servant leaders:

http://oer2go.org/mods/en-boundless/www.boundless.com/management/textbooks/boundless-management-textbook/leadership-9/other-leadership-perspectives-73/servant-leadership-362-10555/index.html

The Ten Characteristics Central to Servant Leaders:

1. Listening
2. Empathy
3. Healing
4. Awareness
5. Persuasion
6. Conceptualization
7. Foresight
8. Stewardship
9. Commitment to the personal growth of people
10. Building communities

References

Best, C. (2020). Is there a place for servant leadership in nursing? Practice Nursing, 31(3). https://doi.org/10.12968/pnur.2020.31.3.12

Bleich, M. (2016). Leading, managing, and following. Retrieved from: https://nursekey.com/leading-managing-and-following/

Delgado, C. & Mitchell, M.M. (2016). A survey of current valued academic leadership qualities in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 37(1), 10-15. doi:10.5480/14-1496

Greenleaf, R. (2014). Who is the servant leader? The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 10(1), 17–22.

Hlabse, M.L., Lindell, D., and Barsman, S.G. (2016). Supports and barriers to successful progression in a DNP program: Students’ and graduates’ perspectives. Nurse Educator, 41(5), 256-261. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000251.

Western Governors University: Business. (2020). Leader vs manager: What’s the difference? https://www.wgu.edu/blog/leader-vs-manager-difference2005.html

McKale, L. (2016). Leaders vs. managers: 17 traits that set them apart [infographic]. Resourceful Manager. https://www.resourcefulmanager.com/leaders-vs-managers/

McKee, A. (2015). Quiz yourself: Do you lead with emotional intelligence?. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2015/06/quiz-yourself-do-you-lead-with-emotional-intelligence

Ott, C. (n.d.) What is emotional intelligence? Ohio State University Extension. https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Emotional%20Intelligence%20Background.pdf

Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. (n.d.) Start here: What is servant leadership? https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/