We have all had a boss at some point and know how important it is to have a good boss. , helps increase employee satisfaction. In a busy and stressful environment like nursing, nurses need strong leaders.
So what if you’re a manager or thinking about becoming a manager? How can you be a good nurse leader?
You will have to approach your work from a new angle. This guide introduces four different types of leadership styles in nursing, describes the most effective ones, and examines the nature of how these styles work well.
Common Nursing Leadership Styles
Leadership styles are diverse, some of which are defined by the unique nursing profession. Let’s review four leadership approaches commonly found in nursing.
#1 Transformational Leader
This approach emphasizes motivation, camaraderie through shared goals and personal relationships.1 These effective nurse leaders have excellent communication skills and are able to inspire staff to exceed expectations.1 Transformational leadership is closely related to coaching-style leadership, but the latter focuses less on interpersonal relationships and more on providing employees with challenges that help them grow.2
#2 Transaction Leader
Transactional leadership is based on well-defined structures and performance expectations, with rewards for achievements and punishments for negative behavior.1
While this style may improve employee performance, it reduces the focus on the inspiration, relationships, and team goals nurse managers foster.3 As a result, employees may find themselves striving only to avoid rewards or punishments, not because they care about their work or their team members.3
#3 Laissez-faire leaders
The non-interference approach of laissez-faire leadership is the most passive leadership style. In fact, these nurse leaders hardly lead. In some workplaces, this gives employees a lot of freedom, but it can also cause staff to lose trust in those in charge and take on too much responsibility.1
#4 Democratic Leader
Democratic leadership, also called participatory leadership, is one of the most prevalent leadership styles in nursing.Four
The Democratic leader focuses on the team as a whole and makes decisions based on each participant’s opinion. Overall, this leadership style in nursing fosters collaboration and cohesion, promotes openness and accountability, and ensures that each member of the team feels valued. However, because this leadership style relies on the decisions of others, it can delay coping with certain situations and adversely affect patients.
Also, when researching the types of leadership styles in nursing, you may hear about autocratic and authoritative leadership. This style is more about giving orders than building emotional connections.Five Autocratic leadership is useful in other professional settings where employee knowledge is low and relationships are less important, but in nursing it is usually not ideal.1, 2, Five
Which leadership style is best for nurses?
Each leadership style has its place, depending on the team and environment. Which of the following is the best practice environment for nursing?
A 2021 study of leadership styles in nursing found that transformative leadership styles had the greatest impact on nurses’ job satisfaction, and laissez-faire styles had the worst impact. .1
Let’s analyze the characteristics of each leadership style and find out what’s most valuable for nurse leaders.
Qualities of an Effective Nurse Leader
The above study concluded that effective nurse leaders possess several common qualities, including:1
- Penetration of trust among employees
- Demonstrate strong communication and listening skills
- bring enthusiasm and optimism to work
- Supports growth and development
- Promote teamwork
- be humble and open-minded
Transformational styles emphasize personal relationships and communication, which are key aspects of effective leadership.1 In contrast, a laissez-faire environment can deprive nurses of the feedback they need to improve their skills and feel empowered.1 Likewise, if your leadership style is overly transactional, staff can feel unheard of and overzealous.1
Breaking down a nurse’s leadership style into more specific qualities makes it easier for staff to see exactly what they need from you.
Choose to be a good nurse leader
Understanding leadership styles in nursing is important, but no single style is always the best. Instead of sticking to one approach, aim to adapt to any situation with positive leadership. May develop a personal style drawn from traits associated with different leadership approaches.
Select the following items to remind yourself of the qualities of a good nurse leader.
- communication
- harmony
- optimism
- open mind
- support
- recognition
Here are some real-life examples of these characteristics.
- support – New nurses are unfamiliar with the type of test results they are analyzing. Use the opportunity to teach them what to look for so they can learn.
- open mind – RN believes you have found a better way to optimize the schedule you have created. Listen to their opinions and be happy to accept their suggestions if they are worthwhile.
- recognition – Nurses think quickly and make decisions that save someone’s life. They may brush this off as part of their job, but acknowledge their success.
- harmony – A dispute erupts between two nurses. Use a hands-on approach to get involved and find solutions instead of leaving them to solve.
Each of these examples demonstrates an interest in developing staff knowledge and paying attention to their emotional needs. Remember that your employees are human and, after all, they are all there for the same reason: improving the health and well-being of patients.
be tomorrow’s leader
The University of St. Augustine Health Sciences (USAHS) is a member of the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, (510)-748-9001, www.wascsenior.orgThe university is an accredited B Corp institution that puts students first. Our flexible online programs are designed with working nurses in mind, so you can advance your career on your own time.
In addition to our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, we also offer program certificates to expand your skills and stand out from the crowd. If you’re interested in leadership roles in nursing, check out our Specialties for Nurse Executives.
take the first step, Request more information About our nursing program today.
sauce:
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Kara Dennison, “Why the Rise of Coaching Leadership Styles Makes Traditional Leadership Styles Irrelevant” forbespublished in May 2021,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Nguyen Hai Thanh and Nguyen Van Quang, “Transformational, Transactional, Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles and Employee Engagement: Evidence from Vietnam’s Public Sector” Open SAGEpublished in May 2022,
- Nguyen Hai Thanh and Nguyen Van Quang, “Transformational, Transactional, Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles and Employee Engagement: Evidence from Vietnam’s Public Sector” Open SAGEpublished in May 2022,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Darby Faubion, 8 types of leadership in nursing – which one is right for you? nursing process, Released in 2023,
- Sophia Demtriades Toftdahl, “The 7 Most Common Leadership Styles (and How to Find Your Own Style)” LinkedInpublished in July 2020,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Kara Dennison, “Why the Rise of Coaching Leadership Styles Makes Traditional Leadership Styles Irrelevant” forbespublished in May 2021,
- Sophia Demtriades Toftdahl, “The 7 Most Common Leadership Styles (and How to Find Your Own Style)” LinkedInpublished in July 2020,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
- Maria Lucia Specchia et al., “Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction of Nurses. Results of a Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, published in February 2021. 18(4):1552,
