Interpersonal Skills In Health Care

A leader is an individual uses interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish a common goal(DelHousaye & Brewer, 2004). Essentially for one to be a leader, you must be able to inspire others to want to do what needs to be done (Northouse, 2016). Leadership skills are essential in multiple areas of life, but it is especially important when one is trying to achieve change within an organization or in a community. Leaders can be found in either formal or informal positions such as those that are in management positions and organization. In the healthcare Industry, an organization focuses on meeting the needs of the patients for which they serve. Therefore, the leaders of such organizations have an ultimate goal to provide quality care

Formal roles might include unit managers, directors, and shift supervisors (DelHousaye & Brewer, 2004). Where as, informal roles could be anyone within an organization, such as floor nurses or a team leader during a shift (DelHousaye & Brewer, 2004). A leader is someone who can motivate and guide members of the team in a positive manner towards a mutual goal through the use of interpersonal skills (Northouse, 2016). Leaders have many of the same characteristics, including the ability to empower others, facilitate meaningful learning experiences that further develop the knowledge and abilities of ones’ followers, effective and clear communication skills, as well as the ability to solve problems, and to collaborate with others (Northouse, 2016). In the workplace today, collaboration and teamwork is essential for the successful implementation of changes throughout the organization (Northouse,

The models that were reviewed and compared were transactional, transformational, authentic, situational, servant, and adaptive leadership. Recognition of the achievements made by others and building relationships with fellow team members is an important part of leadership, as this helps to ensure that the followers are actively involved and engaged in the organizational processes (Northouse, 2016). These important aspects of both the transactional leadership model as well as the personal model of leadership. The personal model of leadership also incorporates several characteristics of the transformational and servant leadership models including empowering and encouraging others, as well as the ability to motivate and guide others to reach a common goal (DelHousaye & Brewer, 2004 & Northouse, 2016). When looking at the authentic leadership model, this personal leadership model incorporates the necessity to be a good person overall through treating others the way you would want to be treated (Northouse, 2016). Authentic leaders as well as those in this personal model are honest and transparent with their followers therefore making them trustworthy (DelHousaye & Brewer, 2004). Finally, leaders need to be able to assess the situation to ensure that the changing environment is appropriately addressed by the followers and or leadership team (Northouse, 2016). As