Authoritarian, Democratic, Delegative, and Situational Leadership Styles - Essay Example

TOPIC: LEADERSHIP STYLES (Name) (Course) (Institution) (Tutor's name) 4th April, 2008. Introduction Leadership style is the way or the manner in which orders and directions, planning and reinforcement of the people is done in an organization. There are three major styles of leadership, namely, Authoritarian, Democratic and Laissez-faire and an addition of the situational style of leadership. This piece of work examines the important roles of leadership in a busy Emergency Department and the way the various styles of leadership can be applied by nurses in this Emergency department to provide the best quality services to their patients and saving lives. (Hofstede, 1997) Authoritarian/Autocratic style of Leadership This style is also referred to as autocratic. In this style the leader gives orders to his or her workers on what to do and the way he wants it to be done without giving room for the followers or employees. The followers are simply supposed to follow orders and no questioning to their boss. This kind of leadership is very important to nurses as they can apply them to the service of patients in an emergency case. The autocratic leadership do not however use language that lowers the self esteem of the follower or threatening and power abuse as many people tend to think (bossing people around) which is unprofessional. (Hofstede, 1997) This style can be used effectively to produce fabulous results in the place of work. A nurse can be forced to use this style in cases where she needs help from others to assist a casualty who has been seriously injured in an accident. The nurse can also authorize other people on the order in the theater room for example she can order everyone to leave the place so that doctors can have a chance to carry out their job without interference. Autocratic leadership is very crucial in cases of emergency as it saves time which is an important factor in a hospital emergency case. This type of leadership can be used in an emergency department to motivate the nurses to do their work. Human beings like being guided on their work. Patients in the hospital can sometimes be stubborn to follow instructions from the nurses, in this case the nurse should be authoritative to ensure that their orders are followed for the safety of the patient. For example a nurse may order a neck fracture casualty not to bend to avoid risks of serious complication. This is not supposed top be a request but an order. Democratic/ Participative style of Leadership Also known as participative leadership whereby the leader involves his followers in the decision making process. The leader listens to the employees/ followers opinion on a certain issue and through seeking consultation from each other before coming into a conclusive decision. Many people contemplate this style as a sign of the leaders weakness but it is very effective as it enhances humanity of the boss to his followers as well as his respect to them. Democratic style is applicable in the hospital emergency between nurses. They can decide on what to do in the busy waiting room they can chose who to start with according to the order of urgency. The patients can also be included in deciding who has more urgent needs without discrimination. Democratic leadership gives room for expression and patients have to express their status and sometimes can propose on what to be done on their ill bodies. Nurses can be able to use their knowledge in caring for the sick if they are given the freedom to exercise their profession in nursing in an emergency department. This style allows patients to get treated in the right manner as they are given the chance to explain their feelings not just the nurses observations. The management also have the freedom to adjust the working environment as well as working schedules for the nurses. The nurses have the freedom to assist in the times of emergency as it is voluntary and do not need to be told what to do. (Almio, 1996) Team work spirit can be only achieved in a democratic environment and not in an authoritative environment. The nurses therefore can have a chance to learn more about the patients need in the case of an emergency. It is mutually beneficial to the both the leader and the follower. Leissez-faire/Delegative/Free reign style of Leadership This is a style of leadership is form of leadership whereby the followers are free to do what they think is good or appropriate. Leissez is a French word meaning, not interfering with other peoples affairs/ business. However the leader has the mandate over any decision made. (Hofstede, 1997) It is a very risk form of leadership as people might take advantage of making decisions that favor them without considering others. It should be noted that in this style of leadership, it is common for the followers to make mistakes and blame it on the leader. In an Emergency department, nurses can use this style of leadership in reducing long waiting of the patients in the waiting loge, this is the way to do things very first as they will avoid bureaucratic procedures common in Authoritative and Democratic styles of leadership. Patients in the hospital can also do what they think is right to reduce congestion, they do not have to wait for the busy nurses to come for them or to oder them on what to do. Leissez faire kind of leadership is very efficient in an emergency case as the people can bring a serious casualty in the theater even before they are ordered to do so by the hospital staff or the management. The freedom in a delegative environment should be used for the better and not for making others suffer at the expense of others. Situational/ Multicratic style of leadership This type of leadership combines both the authoritative and democratic features of leadership. It combines the positive features and leaves the negative ones. It is very effective in a hospital situation as it is applied according to the existing situations. The nurse can be able to influence other coworkers to act and behave voluntarily in providing best care for their patients. In this case the nurse acts as a role model to be emulated by others and she shows high problem solving skills and also offer others with some guidance and counseling. This type of leadership allows the busy emergency department to look relaxed where people move smoothly without disturbing others. The follower in this style of leadership has an opportunity to develop high level of competence that boost the provision of services in the organization. (Tannenbaum, 1973) Cooperation of the patients with the nurse can be significant and determine the effectiveness of the services given to them. Role of the patient/ follower in the different styles of Leadership The role of a leader cannot be fully achieved if there is no positive response from the follower. The patient in a clinical situation need to show cooperation that will determine their health outcome. In an authoritative environment, the patient should be cooperative as it is a way of saving time. He or she will be treated in the minimal time possible as the nurse has the professional know how on what is needed for her patient. This will reduce congestion in the waiting room for services. In the hospital nurses can be democratic in leadership; they may choose what to begin with to improve their services. On the other hand, the patients should show high level of cooperation and responsibility in order for their health needs to be met accordingly. A democratic leadership gives the follower a chance to exercise his rights and freedom in the environment of work. (Tannenbaum, 1973) Leissez faire follower has a role in demonstrating high level of self discipline and responsibility. In the emergency department nurses using this style of leadership have very little in the influence of the decision made in the hospital, the patient is taken care of by considering priorities. However as stated earlier, it is the nurse leader who will take responsibility for the total out come of the patient due to poor decisions made. In a working environment where the bosses uses the multicratic style in their leadership, the patients’ outcome will be optimal, the patient should be willing to follow instruction and also ask questions which will highly determine the patients results that will be effective. Conclusion In a clinical situation, the nurses should vary their leadership styles by applying the different theories of leadership. This variation allows them to provide for the best quality services to their patients. A combination of two or more of leadership styles in a clinical situation is necessary as it is the only way in which emergency cases can be sorted out for the better of the patient. As a professions a nurse should also learn to adopt the qualities of a good leader, nurses should be patient and responsible as these are the most important features in a leader. References Almio, B. (1996), Nursing Management, Leaders or Managers, (London: Sage Publishers) Hofstede, G. (1997), Culture and Organizations: Software of the Mind, (New York: McGraw-Hill) John, W. and Davis, K. (1993). Human Behavior at Work, (New York: McGraw-Hill) Tannenbaum, R. and Schimidt, W. (1973), How to Choose a Leadership Pattern, (London: Harvard University Press) Schriesheim, A. The Great High Consideration- High Initiating Structure Leadership Myth: Evidence on its Generalizability. The Journal of Social Psychology, April 1998. Information on Leadership also available from: www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadstl.html (Retrieved on 18th April, 2008) Read More