Discussion response III

Respond to discussion question: 

Bombardier (2022) stated that leadership can be described as efforts taken to guide others. The author also states that leaders are individuals that influence others to reach their goals, are known for their work ethics, and do not have to have a high rank within an organization. Similarly, Walden University (2014), stated that leaders can be individuals with a title reflecting their position as a leader or they can be unofficial leaders, an individual without a title that still motivates others. Multiple leadership styles can be utilized in healthcare settings, and leaders need to use the appropriate style with those that they are guiding or directing to effectively achieve their goals. One form of leadership that is frequently utilized is the coaching leadership style. According to Peng et al. (2019), this style of leadership takes into consideration the needs and goals of the individual being supported, while promoting open communication and providing sufficient guidance. Further, Peng et al. (2019), stated that leaders utilizing this style of leadership help individuals become successful through teaching, guiding, interaction, praise, and discipline. Through reviewing the article by Peng et al. (2019), two key insights were obtained, first that leaders must look at the individuals that they are leading and recognize that they have individual needs for achievements and that coaching leadership can include praising or disciplining to assure success.

     I have observed firsthand, coaching leadership while orienting as a new graduate nurse. A nurse that precepted many of the new graduate nurses as well as new employees within the hospital I work utilized this form of leadership. The nurse leader spoke with me initially about my experience, and my level of confidence, and educated me on the goals of the unit as well as policies and procedures. I would say that this allowed the nurse to understand my skill set and my dedication to patient care. The nurse guided me throughout my orientation, and she instructed me on how to do certain tasks, provided feedback, intervened when necessary, and allowed me freedom of decision-making while caring for patients. For example, as a new graduate nurse administering insulin to patients for the first time. The nurse leader let me decide if I wanted to administer the scheduled medication or hold it after reviewing the patient’s blood glucose level. After I told her my decision, she would either state, “good job” or “you will want to hold it because…”. Through her leadership and training, the nurse leader helped me to develop into a confident and prepared behavioral health nurse. In addition, the nurse leader even supported me after my orientation phase and further helped me grow into a charge nurse role. I would say that the nurse leader’s leadership skills impact extended well beyond me as an individual as it provided the hospital with another leader. According to Broome and Marshall (2021), listening to an individual’s goals and desires both personal and work-related is part of motivating them. The nurse leader motivated me to apply myself and do more for my unit and the organization.