W2 The Influence of Leadership Styles on Leadership Practice
The Leadership Styles Questionnaire (Northouse, 2018, pp. 93-94) indicated my leadership style to be in the moderate range for authoritarian and democratic leadership. Additionally, the questionnaire suggested that my leadership style does not strongly resemble one of laissez-faire leadership. Northouse (2018) believes an authoritarian leader “needs to control followers and what they do” (p.83). If I had completed this questionnaire three months ago, I do not doubt that I would have scored in the very high range for authoritarian leadership style. However, I have been less of an authoritarian leader and more of a democratic leader in the past few months.
Northouse (2018) proposed that authoritarian leaders think, “Because my workers are lazy, I need to tell them what to do.” (p.84). Three months ago, I was given feedback on my leadership style as a charge nurse. I remember feeling like I had to tell my coworkers what to do because nothing would get done. The feedback I received helped me see that I was not letting other people have autonomy by being controlling. Northouse (2018) believes “Democratic leaders provide information, guidance, and suggestions, but without giving orders and without applying pressure” (p.85). I have been working towards becoming a resource and guide for my coworkers to strengthen their skills to help them reach their goals. Northouse (2018) reports, “the downside of democratic leadership is that it takes more time and commitment from the leader. Work is accomplished, but not as efficiently as if the leader were authoritarian” (p.85). I agree with Northouse’s view on the downsides of a democratic leader being that it requires more time from the leader. Considering I have been working towards becoming more of a democratic leader than an authoritarian leader, I noticed I have needed to spend more time explaining and teaching different courses of action with my coworkers. Although being a democratic leader can take more time, I have enjoyed helping my coworkers grow as nurses. The questionnaire revealed that I scored in the low range for the laissez-faire style of leadership. Northouse (2018) believes a laissez-faire leader is “very laid back and make no attempt to influence their activities” (p.86). Although the laissez-faire style has revealed the least influential leadership style, I believe when leaders take a step back from a situation and let the outcome run its course, it encourages people to learn. I view making mistakes as a critical part of learning.
After reading about the different leadership styles and completing the questionnaire on leadership styles, I have identified which leadership style resembles my current leadership style and which leadership styles I want to strive for in my future profession. Recognizing that my leadership style would have strongly signified an authoritarian leader in the past, and now my leadership style is essentially authoritative and democratic, I am one step closer to being the leader I want to be. In the future, I would like to be a resourceful leader that can accomplish tasks efficiently.
References
Northouse, P. G. (2018). An Introduction to leadership: concepts and practice (4th ed., pp. 77–97). essay, SAGE.