Leadership is an essential quality for those working in health and social care. It is a complex process that involves influencing, motivating, and inspiring others to achieve a common goal. The transformational leadership theory is a type of leadership that focuses on helping employees reach their full potential and become better leaders themselves (Giddens, 2018). This essay will explore how I successfully used this theory to support patient care in my workplace. I will discuss a relevant leadership scenario, focus on one specific example, and analyze what I did, why it was effective, and what areas of my practice I would do differently in light of my learning. I will also provide a leadership development plan, which outlines how I will continue to develop my leadership skills and justifies my plans with evidence-based research and related theory.
The purpose of this paper is to apply the principles of Transformational leadership theory to an instance in which my leadership skills and talents aided in providing quality patient care at work. A leadership development plan detailing my future endeavors in this area will also be drafted, including references to relevant literature and the theories of Transformational and Transactional leadership. By writing this essay, I want to understand myself as a leader better, take charge of my leadership and professional growth, and critically examine the challenges and prospects for advancing my career as a service leader throughout the organization.
Transformational Leadership Theory in Nursing
The term “transformational leadership” refers to a leadership style intended to alter how people and institutions operate. With the ultimate aim of molding followers into leaders, it is at its best when it elicits a significant and beneficial change in its followers. When applied, transformative leadership raises followers’ motivation, morale, and productivity in several ways (Andriani et al., 2018). These include recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of followers so that the leader may match followers with duties that maximize their performance; being an inspiring role model for followers; encouraging followers to take more responsibility for their work; and understanding the goal and shared identity of the company.
As a management strategy, transformational leadership in nursing encourages nurses to go beyond their work (Robbins, 2020). This leadership method inspires followers by acting on their desire to follow their code of ethics. When a nurse demonstrates transformational leadership, she inspires her team to put the needs of the company and its members above their own.
What are the four essential components of transformative nursing leadership?
Nursing leaders that can inspire their teams and improve the lives of their patients and their company may have a profound influence. While there are many facets to transformational leadership, four are especially important in nursing.
First, nurses inspire and motivate their teams by clearly articulating goals and speaking with passion and dedication. They encourage people to do their best because of their confidence and optimism (Grossman, 2020).
Individual Care: A leader who demonstrates transformational leadership in nursing will get to know each team member (Collins et al., 2020). They put in the time and effort to get to know each team member personally so that they may better serve as a guide and a leader.
Mental Challenges: Team members that can think creatively and actively seek out new and improved methods of doing things are highly valued by transformational nurse leaders (Afsar, 2018). This kind of leader fosters innovation and promotes feedback.
Transformative nursing leadership requires idealized influence, which entails inspiring people to improve themselves by serving as exemplary role models.
Positive Effects of Transformational Nursing Leadership
One of the benefits of having a transformational leader in the nursing field is that it helps to create an environment where employees are more fulfilled in their work. The adoption and implementation of transformational leadership in healthcare companies have been linked to improvements in employee happiness and confidence in their jobs (Boamah et al., 2018). In addition to the apparent benefits to the company, having satisfied workers also helps with retention rates.
Second, nurses’ more significant morale levels correlate with transformational leadership. Psychologists have shown a correlation between poor morale and increased rates of heart disease, anxiety, and depression in the workplace (Liu et al., 2018). Workers that have strong morale are productive, enthusiastic, and driven.
Three, patients benefit significantly from the presence of transformational nursing leadership in terms of their security and overall results. If nurses are happy and invested in their work, it shows in the care they provide their patients. Patient outcomes with long-term health advantages are more likely to occur when transformational nurse leaders lead nurses.
On the other hand, transformative nursing leadership inspires innovation and promotes education amongst healthcare professionals. As a result, the company needs to be more cautious about providing its workers with many possibilities for professional development to inspire them to take on more responsibilities.
Nurses with transformative leadership skills may boost morale and productivity in the workplace. A significant skill of transformational nurse leaders is identifying holes in the organization’s vision and providing solutions to fill such holes (Goduscheit et al., 2021). Their infectious enthusiasm and magnetic personality are remarkable for rallying the troops.
Negative Aspects of Transformational Leadership in Healthcare
A more significant number of workers might be experiencing burnout. Nursing managers adopting a transformational leadership style demonstrates a commitment to the company’s future. Workers have high expectations for their future and are motivated to work hard to succeed. While this might be good for business, it can also lead to emotional exhaustion, job discontent, and burnout if people work longer hours or feel forced to perform beyond their typical activities to fulfill the organization’s objectives.
Under the influence of a transformative leader, one may lose touch with reality. Nurses that can inspire and drive change are called transformational leaders. They are goal-oriented and good at conveying those objectives and standards to their staff. While this is crucial, transformational leaders sometimes fail to account for the realities of circumstances because of their optimism and the conviction that everything will “come together” if everyone is on board with their ideas.
Third, there is the opinion that transformational nursing leadership is one-way. The technique of transformational leadership is associated with an increase in the likelihood that subordinates would behave in the organization’s best interest rather than vice versa (Vipraprastha et al., 2018). Employees may get disengaged from their job when they see that they are not benefiting from achieving the set objectives.
Successful Transformational Leadership Traits in Nursing
Improved team morale and care outcomes are two primary foci of transformational leadership in nursing. Seven distinguishing characteristics of practical nurse transformative leaders are listed below.
First, communicating effectively is essential for any nurse leader who hopes to succeed in the transformative leader role. The ability to effectively convey objectives and expectations is a crucial competency for transformational nurse leaders and facilitates the success of improvement initiatives (Pearson, 2020).
Secondly, they inspire a shared vision for the organization’s future by imagining what that future may look like for themselves and then presenting it to others in a manner that gets them excited about the possibilities. Because of the leader’s evident desire to make a difference, followers are more likely to be on board with the mission and eager to provide a hand.
Third, be the change you desire to see in the world by providing an example for others to follow in the ways you see that change taking place. Leaders set an example by being present on the nursing floor, checking in with patients at the appropriate intervals, and following up with their staff regularly to convey their care.
Providing an opportunity for others to become engaged is a trait shared by transformational nurse leaders who value their teams’ participation. The team nurses feel more invested and trusted after participating in these team-building exercises.
A disposition to question established norms: Nursing leaders who want to make a difference must be unafraid to question the status quo. A nurse leader who can inspire transformation is willing to try something new, make some errors, and then move on.
It establishes lofty standards and displays the means to reach them by having leaders work with their teams to achieve their objectives.
Successful transformative nurse leaders are skilled, hard-working nurses. Their dedication to providing high-quality treatment in a safe environment motivates their colleagues to do the same.
In What Ways Can Transformative Leadership Be Used In Nursing?
When used effectively, transformational leadership in nursing may significantly impact patient outcomes. Nursing leaders serious about making a difference in their institutions should demonstrate that they embody the ideals they want to promote. Some instances of transformative nursing leadership are provided, along with some of my anecdotes from working in the field.
Leadership that inspires and motivates followers via action and recognition. It is common knowledge that receiving public acclaim is a fantastic experience. Successful transformative nurse leaders know how vital it is to make their team members feel valued (Snow, 2019). It is incredible how much impact even public recognition can have on an individual’s motivation and work ethic.
Leaders that take action with integrity and transform others’ perspectives are influential. When no one is looking, you do what is right because you have integrity. Almost often, someone is keeping tabs on you. Successful demonstrators of transformational leadership in nursing have a similar trait: honesty.
The actions of a transformational leader motivate followers to put their interests aside for the greater good. The most successful nurses can put their own needs aside to focus on the needs of their patients, their teams, and their employers. Leaders in the nursing profession who embody transformation put the needs of others ahead of their own, even if doing so causes them some discomfort (Hossain, 2021).
Transformative leadership in action: igniting passion in others. To find fault with anything requires little effort. However, it can be challenging to be a motivational force. In order to exercise transformational leadership as a nurse, it is sometimes necessary to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for others around us, even when we are not feeling particularly inspired or motivated. Everyone benefits when you have faith in other people and express gratitude for their efforts.
Transformative Leadership in Action: Recognizing and Honoring Successes Big and Small. Those who want to be transformative leaders know how crucial it is to look for the silver lining in each circumstance (Tepper et al., 2018). When leaders in the nursing field are committed to change, they recognize and reward even the tiniest contributions to team success. They are now working harder and more effectively than ever.
Aiding others in discovering their voices is a transformative leadership action. Leaders with self-assurance feel safe advocating for others and acting on their convictions. In order to be a transformational leader in nursing, it is necessary to embody the ideal team member.
To take on a servant-leadership stance is a transformative leadership action. Leaders who display servant leadership are prepared to pitch in and work with their teams to get the most outstanding results. As this kind of action motivates others to adopt the same frame of mind, it is crucial to transformational leadership in nursing.
Case scenario
I was there when a patient with a complicated medical condition was hospitalized at the hospital where I worked as a nurse. The patient had difficulty adjusting to the diagnosis, and the family felt utterly overloaded. As a transformative leader, it was my responsibility to foster an atmosphere of cooperation and trust between the patient, their family, and the healthcare team members. I was upfront and honest with the patient in my communication, listening to their worries and reassuring them when necessary.
In addition, I tried to develop a feeling of connection and trust with the family members.
I talked with the patient and their family about the many available therapy choices, and I explained the advantages and dangers associated with each one. I encouraged them to ask inquiries and make choices together, and I supplied them with tools that would assist them in making judgments based on accurate information. In addition, I collaborated with the other healthcare team members to guarantee that the patient got the best treatment.
In the end, the patient could make a complete recovery because of the collaborative atmosphere that I had fostered. Both the patient and their family congratulated me for my leadership, and I felt honored that I had been able to have a positive impact on their lives.
Analysis of what I did and why it was effective
I was able to establish an atmosphere of trust and cooperation with the patient, as well as with their family and the other members of the healthcare team, by making use of the transformational leadership theory. I spoke with them in a straightforward and honest manner, listened to their worries and apprehensions, and offered comfort. In addition, I tried to develop a feeling of connection and trust with the family members. I also spoke with the patient and their family about the several available treatment choices, describing the pros and hazards of each one. I encouraged them to ask questions and decide as a group. The patient achieved a complete recovery because of the collaborative approach that was used.
I successfully created an atmosphere where everyone could relax and feel connected thanks to applying the Transformational Leadership Theory I used. Because of this, open communication, trust, and a shared vision were developed, contributing to the ability to make judgments based on accurate information. With the help of the situational theory, I was also able to give the patient and their family more control over the treatment process by allowing them to make their own choices, which boosted their feelings of responsibility and ownership.
What areas of my practice would I do differently in light of my learning?
In light of my learning, I prioritize creating a setting that is more welcoming of diversity and ensures that every member of the healthcare team is included in the decision-making process. To ensure that the patient gets the very best treatment possible, I also make it a point to discuss their condition with any other medical experts or specialists available. Lastly, I prioritize cultivating more profound, more meaningful connections with the patient and his or her family by actively attending to the former’s requirements and worries and the latter’s requests for further assistance and resources.
Leadership Plan
Enhancing my knowledge of transformational leadership theory, situational theory, and empirical research is a primary goal of my leadership development program. I plan on doing the following things to make this happen:
- Explore the literature on transformational leadership, situational leadership, and evidence-based research. To do so, one must study the material from many sources, such as books, journals, and online materials.
- Attend events like workshops, seminars, and conventions that cover these subjects. Experts in the subject will help me better comprehend the hypotheses and data.
- Engage in leadership development activities, including mentoring junior leaders, collaborating on group projects, and attending seminars. My abilities in discussion, teamwork, and problem-solving will all benefit from this.
- Do leadership role-playing exercises and simulations. As a result, I will be able to hone my leadership abilities in a supervised setting.
- Learn from the examples of great leaders by watching their actions.
I should keep a notebook to record my thoughts and feelings as I work toward my goals. In doing so, I will be able to monitor my progress and pinpoint areas where I can make the most progress.
By doing these steps, I will be able to deepen my comprehension of evidence-based research, situational leadership theory, and transformational leadership theory. Because of this, I can further hone my leadership potential.
Conclusion
Transformational leadership is a management style that alters how people and institutions operate. A leader who demonstrates transformational leadership in nursing will get to know each team member personally. Transformational leaders inspire their teams by clearly articulating goals and speaking with passion and dedication. Transformational leadership in healthcare has been linked to improvements in employee happiness and confidence in their jobs. Nurses that can inspire and drive change are called transformational leaders.
Transformational leaders inspire a shared vision for the organization’s future and then present it to others in a manner that gets them excited about the possibilities. Because of the leader’s evident desire to make a difference, followers are more likely to be on board with the mission and eager to provide a hand. Transformational leadership in nursing may have a significant impact on patient outcomes. The most successful nurses can put their own needs aside to focus on the needs of their patients, their teams, and their employers.
Everyone benefits when one has faith in other people and expresses gratitude for their efforts. Leaders who are committed to change recognize and reward even the tiniest contributions to team success. Leaders with self-assurance feel safe advocating for others and acting on their convictions. Servant leaders are prepared to pitch in and work with their teams to get the most significant possible results.
References
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