Leadership and management are equally important processes due to the fact that their focuses are different. Depending on the situation at hand their importance may vary, but a distinction can be made between the two.
Leadership is defined as the process of influencing people to achieve goals (Huber, 2014). Leadership concepts deal with influence, communication, group process, goal attainment, and motivation. Management is defined as the coordination and integration of resources through planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling to accomplish specific goals (Huber, 2014). In today’s challenging healthcare environment, it is essential to have dedicated nurse leaders who are committed to promoting quality patient outcomes (Foronda,
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The authoritarian style of leadership is a primarily directive style, where the decisions are made solely by the leader. In the democratic style, there is a person and relationship orientation; followers are included in discussions and decision making. Laissez-faire means “let do.” In this style of leadership there is complete freedom and non-interference.
To compare these styles, all three have followers, leaders, and have decisions to be made or solutions to form. Each leadership style has advantages and disadvantages given the situation and decisions to be made.
The three leadership styles have many differences as well. The authoritarian style is a task oriented leadership style. The leader directs the followers, telling them what to do and how to do it. In certain situations where someone needs to take charge, this can prove beneficial. For example, at the hospital in a code blue situation there needs to be someone who leads their team through the code by assigning roles and directing each member. This example demonstrates how the authoritarian style is effective in a crisis. However, if there is not a crisis this style can create hostility and dependency on the leader as well as stifle
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In using this style, the leader either fosters a free environment or is just inept. Interference is not promoted and events are permitted to run their own course.
After taking the leadership assessment provided on BlackBoard, I found out that my leadership style most resembles democratic, with the delegative style falling close behind and the autocratic last. I believe that the assessment proved accurate in revealing my leadership style as democratic. The reason I believe this is I believe that I am a very team oriented person, and value the opinion of those I am working with.
At work, I demonstrate this style by working as a team with my nurse’s aide, the other nurse’s and patients. I do my part in providing care, helping to answer call lights and delegating tasks if I am busy. If a decision needs to be made, I enjoy incorporating my coworkers. Each person has their own way of thinking and with each person sharing their thoughts we may come up with a joint solution, or one that I may have never considered just thinking on my