W2 The Influence of Leadership Styles on Leadership Practice
Initial Post - While reading about the three types of leadership style (authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire), I found myself agreeing with different aspects from the authoritarian and democratic leadership styles. Northouse (2018) describes how an “authoritarian leadership is useful in establishing goals and work standards” (p.151), and a democratic leadership style helps “each follower reach personal goals” (p. 152). Overall, my responses to the Leadership Styles Questionnaire reveals my leadership style is defined as a high range democratic leader.
As a democratic leader, I work well with others and like problem solving as a group. I have worked with nursing graduates and nursing students, and before I give suggestions, or some direction on how to complete a task, I like to see a problem or situation from their perspective and how they would handle it before giving my input. Northouse (2018) describes how “top-down” communication is not used in a democratic leadership, rather these leaders speak with followers on the same level. This is important to me because I want my followers to feel comfortable and be able to communicate and ask questions with myself or with those who are more knowledgeable than I. I believe my job as a leader is exactly how Northouse describes; to motivate, guide, and provide information and suggestions without applying too much pressure on my followers.
A demographic leadership best fits me now, but I have grown as a nurse in the last eight years. If I were to take this questionnaire back in the early years of my career, I may have had more of an authoritarian leadership style. I would set specific goals and standards with my nursing graduates and nursing students and things had to be completed my way. Reflecting on it now, I feel that may not have been a pleasant experience for those I was leading, especially for those who do not work well with an authoritarian leader (such as myself).
However, I believe different leadership styles come out when leading different people. In my current practice I have found myself with nursing graduates and students who are very timid and need a lot of guidance, direction, goal setting, and structured work from an authoritarian leader. And when they start to feel more comfortable in what they are doing, I can transition into leading with a democratic leadership style to give them more room which may help them grow more. You are not confined to one leadership style; different leadership styles are needed in different situations.
Upon completion of my program of study, the democratic leadership style will influence my professional role by giving me the ability to continue to be on the same level as others. I want to be able to educate, provide information, guidance, and suggestions for my peers, followers, and my patients.