Chapter 12  Leadership and Followership Skills - PowerPoint Presentation

Chapter 12  Leadership and Followership Skills

OBJECTIVES 1. Compare and contrast three styles of leadership. 2. Describe at least one situation in which each style of leadership is appropriate. 3. List at least 10 qualities of effective leaders. 4. Describe in a paragraph the characteristics of effective followers. 5. Given a fictitious situation, discuss possible solutions to resolving conflict. 6. Assess your leadership and followership skills.

Leadership and Followership Skills Changing scope of licensed practical/vocational nurses due to: Rise in demand for licensed nursing service Cost-cutting measures leading to staff shortage Current nursing shortage

Leadership and Followership Skills Additional leadership positions being added to job descriptions in settings where resident’s condition is relatively stable Team leaders Charge nurses Care managers Specialized position requires additional education and experience National certifications in particular areas of practice -- NFLPN IV Therapy Certification and the NFLPN Gerontology Certification -- NAPNES currently offers: CLTC (Certification-Long Term Care), IVT (I.V. Therapy Certification) and NCP (Pharmacology Certification)

Leader and Leadership Defined Leader A person who, through leadership skills, is able to get others to follow his or her plan to achieve goals Is responsible for guiding a group to achieve its goals Leadership Process that helps a group of people achieve those goals

Leader and Leadership Defined Example  Team Leader Goals Provide a safe environment Provide excellent nursing care Work as a team Minimize nursing and medical errors Establish pleasant working relationships

Leader and Leadership Defined Share knowledge and experience Communicate accurately and effectively Motivate team members Promote an interest in new nursing skills Develop a creative problem-solving environment

Leadership Styles Authoritarian Leader (Autocratic) Primarily concerned that tasks are accomplished Issues directives and orders Determines rules for workers Independently makes decisions that affect the entire team

Leadership Styles Permissive Leader (Laissez-Faire) Provides little or no direction or control Makes assumptions about staff Needs to be liked by everyone Avoids blame for team actions by giving responsibility to individual team members

Leadership Styles Democratic Leader Encourages staff participation Consults and collaborates with staff Respects team members Accepts responsibility for actions of team members Considers self as part of the team

Leadership Styles Situational Leadership One leadership style will not work in every situation Theorists believe effective leadership occurs when the leader’s style matches the situation Situation includes the leader, the followers, and the events occurring Use prevailing style to avoid chaos and confusion Authoritarian-emergency situations Democratic- day to day operations of a nursing unit Permissive-when all team members are experienced, skilled, self-directed, conscientious, and trustworthy

Types of Behavior Passive Behavior Passive People Avoid conflict and do nothing in situations in which an action is required Never confront a situation or express feelings, needs, or wants Become angry and hostile

Types of Behavior Aggressive Behavior Aggressive People Ignore the rights and feelings of others Focus on their own needs and feelings Often act and speak before thinking Demand that they get what they want

Types of Behavior Assertive Behavior Assertive People Openly and honestly express needs and feelings without attacking or hurting others Use “I” statements Allow discussion and compromise

Qualities of Effective Leaders Effective Leaders Are: Emotionally mature Open-minded Fair Consistent Assertive Responsible Courageous

Qualities of Effective Leaders Able to teach Excellent problem solvers Clinically skilled Critical thinkers Sensitive and objective Flexible with leadership styles Able to use a sense of humor Able to learn from mistakes

Leading and Team Building A leader creates an encouraging environment by being a positive role model A leader motivates team members to achieve goals Building an effective team requires: Coaching Recognizing strengths and weakness of individual team members

Handling Change In health care settings, changes involve: Policies and procedures Staffing patterns and schedules Work conditions Salary and benefit packages New equipment Job responsibilities

Handling Change Patient care protocols Government regulations Accrediting agency regulations Three options for handling change Resist change due to fear and misunderstanding Avoid change by resigning or asking for transfer Accept change Leader’s attitude toward change can be contagious

Handling Conflict Leader should identify the problem and consider possible solutions Discuss the problem and proposed action with supervisor Choose a course of action and follow it through Keep disciplinary sessions private and professional

Followership Qualities Effective leader must have effective followers and an organization that supports leadership goals Followers contribute to the success or failure of a leader An Effective Follower : Is competent Has experience Has a positive attitude toward the role of the leader Will help the leader achieve goals Avoids sabotaging the leader’s effectiveness

Developing Leadership Skills Become more aware of your behaviors Seek input from peers or supervisors Read about leadership skills Complete online continuing education programs Attend workshops and seminars Search the Web for information on “nursing leadership”

Question Is the following statement true or false? In order for an LP/VN to take on a leadership role in a health care setting, he or she must obtain a National Clinical Certification.

Answer False Rationale: The LP/VN must have appropriate clinical expertise, obtain further education to prepare for the position, and have the personal characteristics necessary to be an effective leader.

Question A leader who provides little or no direction or control for the team is known as: A. An autocratic leader B. A democratic leader C. An authoritarian leader D. A permissive leader

Answer D. A permissive leader Rationale: A permissive or laissez-faire leader

Question Is the following statement true or false? An authoritarian style of leadership is most appropriate for the day-to-day operation of a nursing unit.

Answer False Rationale: A democratic style is the most appropriate, allowing for incorporation of opinions, and expertise of the staff when making decisions.

Question A nurse who does not encourage her patients to participate in their own care is demonstrating: A. Passive behavior B. Aggressive behavior C. Assertive behavior

Answer A. Passive behavior Rationale: Passive people do not act in situations in which an action is required, such as encouraging patient participation in their own care.

Discussion topic 1 You are a new grad assigned to work on the surgical unit of your local hospital. During your first week, however, you hear many complaints about the unit’s nurse manager. The staff is complaining that she makes decision about things that affect them without asking for their input. They say their opinion about things just does not matter. You hear a lot of frustration in the break room, and that the staff dislikes the manager and does not respect her. They avoid her and often defy her directives. No one has felt comfortable enough to talk to her about how they feel. What is the leadership style of the nurse manager, and what are the behavior styles of the staff? How are you going to be able to work comfortably in this environment? Can you be a leader in this situation, and if so, how?

Discussion Topic 2 Your nurse manager is a close friend of one of the nurses on your unit. You notice that whenever this nurse requests time off or a schedule change, she always is accommodated. The rest of the staff, including you, rarely have your requests met. The nurse manager tells you the unit is short-staffed and that you are needed. Now, it is nice to feel needed, but you and the other staff members are feeling angry because of the nurse manager’s lack of fairness. Is fairness a quality of an effective leader? If so, why? How can you and the other nurses seek to obtain fairness regarding requests for time off ?

CASE STUDY You are a new charge nurse at a skilled nursing facility. You graduated 6 months ago. After your orientation, you have taken charge of a rehabilitation unit with varying degrees of client-care acuity on the day shift. You are aware that the CNAs assigned to your shift do not work together harmoniously. Your CNAs are Shelia, Bebe , Whitney, and Adonna . Your census at capacity is 32 clients. At 11 am, Shelia comes to you and complains that Whitney is taking frequent breaks in the employee lounge, where she is found on her cell phone. Shelia reports that today, Whitney has had three breaks of 20–30 minutes each. Shelia complains that Whitney has the fewest acute clients and never volunteers to assist the other CNAs. You thank Shelia for her information and inform her that you will assess this situation. For the next 4 days that Whitney works, you diligently assess Whitney’s completeness and the efficacy of her client care. You also plan to keep watch on how many breaks Whitney takes during her shift. (Learning Objectives 2 and 5)   What leadership style was used in this scenario? What qualities of leadership were evident in this situation? Utilizing the problem-solving approach, list and describe the process you would use to solve this problem.