2
Andrea Raines and Karen Hardin
Introduction
The Role of The Nurse Leader
Part 1
Course Outcome
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.
Exercises
The following reading assignment should be followed using the outline below. Please review this link to learn more about the importance of leading, managing, and following: https://nursekey.com/leading-managing-and-following/
- Introduction
- Personal Attributes Needed to Lead, Manage, and Follow
- Theory Development in Leading, Managing, and Following
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.
Exercises
Please take the quiz below to assess your level of EI. Following the review of the quiz results, open the link below and read the document by Cristal Ott: What is Emotional Intelligence.
- Quiz Yourself: Do You Lead with Emotional Intelligence?: https://hbr.org/2015/06/quiz-yourself-do-you-lead-with-emotional-intelligence
- After taking the quiz follow the steps and have 1- 2 peers answer the same questions regarding you. When using emotional intelligence it is important to understand yourself but also be aware of how others perceive you (McKee, 2015).
- Please review the following education regarding Emotional Intelligence Awareness by Crystal Ott with Ohio State University Extension: https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Emotional%20Intelligence%20Background.pdf
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:
The Ten Characteristics Central to Servant Leaders:
- Listening
- Empathy
- Healing
- Awareness
- Persuasion
- Conceptualization
- Foresight
- Stewardship
- Commitment to the personal growth of people
- 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/