Disadvantages Of Transformational Leadership In Nursing

Introduction

Definition of leadership

Leadership is a performance of an individual to develop a clear vision of the ideal future and by working with others can make the vision happen (Yoder-Wise, 2015). Leadership is important in many different occupations and in general all concepts in life. Leaders help society develop by accomplishing one vision after another. Many people believe that they are a leader by just having a formal position, but that is not the case. A title does not make you a leader, being someone who can inspire or empower followers is what makes you a leader. How many jobs have you held that there has not been a leader? Leadership in nursing is especially important because if no one leads in a critical situations, then the

situation would not be handled fast and efficient. A leader plays an important role in nursing when it comes to people in need of immediate health care. A leader leads the delivery of care process in situations such as natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes.

Characteristics of efficient leaders
What are the traits or characteristics of a true leader? Covey (1992) acknowledged eight characteristics of effective leaders in his effort of work. He found that valuable leaders are engaged in life-long learning. It is important for a leader to engage in life-long learning because they are continually developing organizations and helping their followers develop the skill to understand. The second characteristic found was that leaders are service-oriented and concerned with the common good. A leader needs to be service-oriented and concerned with the common good to provide the best service possible to their clientele and have the best outcomes. The next characteristic found is that it is important for a leader to radiate positive energy and believe in other people. When leaders do not radiate positive energy or believe in other people then they will not have any followers. The sixth characteristic of an effective leader is that they lead balanced lives and see life as an adventure. Leaders have the characteristic of being synergist and engaging themselves in self-renewal. It is key that a leader knows how to articulate a clear vision for the future. Leaders need these characteristics to be a successful and trusted leader.

Different types of leadership
All leaders may approach leadership differently based on their experiences and expectations (Yoder-Wise, 2015). As a nurse, with any position held, you express the role of a leader at some point in the day (Fradsen, 2014). Two of the most important and most used types of leaderships are transformational leadership and transactional leadership. Other types used are the servant leadership, democratic leadership, and laissez-faire leadership. Each type of leadership has advantages and disadvantages in their performance. A leader may use more than one approach to nursing depending on the situation. As with our previous example of leadership in nursing during natural disasters it may be more necessary for a leader to use the transactional approach to deliver care faster. As long as you set realistic goals and encourage others by communicating clearly and recognizing the success of your team, then you will be inspirational to your followers and provide beneficial care no matter what type of leadership you chose to use (Fradsen, 2014).

Transformational Leadership
Definition of transformational leadership
Yoder-Wise (2015) defined transformational leadership as being a leader who changes the structure of the organization for employees by having an inspirational vision. Transformational leaders communicate with their leaders to encourage them. This type of leader considers each employees needs and abilities to create a sense of community. The behaviors of leaders that use this approach are that they are charismatic, inspirational, have intellectual stimulation, and have individualized considerations (McGuire, & Kennerly, 2006). By valuing individuals needs and abilities transformational leaders create a synergistic approach of bringing people together. When inspiring, encouraging, and praising their followers to do their best, they are earning respect and loyalty (Fradsen, 2014).
Constanty (2013) wrote about Dr. Mary Ann McGinley as an example of a transformational leader. Dr. Mary Ann McGinley is the Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. Dr. McGinley encourages nurses to participate and provide input concerning patient care. She is the leading advocate for nurses who work within the Department of Nursing. She is also the leading advocate for the Community of Nurses in departments not directly reporting to her. Raymond Eisenhardt, RN, said "Nurses are listened to and their input is valued." Elise Dorr-Doryneck, BSN, RN, CRRN, is a nurse who said, "WE feel very included in the Nursing organization. We're invited to participate on committees. Our suggestions are welcomed, and we're encouraged to take on our own projects." Dr. Mary Ann McGinley shows characteristics of a transformational leader by being encouraging, accepting input from the nurses, and being an advocate.
Kouzes and Ponser (2012) recognized key practices in transformational leadership. One practice recognized is that this type of leader challenges the process by questioning old practices and creating new solutions to those practices. A second practice is inspiration by the leader to share a vision of a certain goal that everyone can work together to achieve. Another practice is enabling others to act motivating people to trust that their efforts will make a difference. Next, transformational leaders practice by engaging themselves in an active task to represent the way of change. The last practice recognized is that this type of leaders give attention to their followers and encourage them. This approach of leadership is fitting to the nursing environment. For instance, a transformative leader can create a vision for what the quality of care should be like and then inspire others to act on this vision by engaging themselves or empowering followers to act.

Pros vs. Cons of this type of leadership in the workplace
The advantages of the approach of transformational leaders are defined by McGuire and Kennerly (2006) in the organizational outcomes they found.

Their findings were that organizations with transformational leaders have increased loyalty, commitment, job satisfaction, morale, and performance. Fradsen (2014) found that transformational leaders inspire teams to do their best and create highly productive and engaged teams as advantages. A disadvantage of transformational leadership is that it takes time, because the leader is considering options based on individuals needs and abilities. As previously mentioned, if a natural disaster happened and a large group of patients needed immediate care, then the leader does not have the time to get input from their followers before acting. Another disadvantage is that this type of leader tends to keep in mind the fine points of getting a job done, and does not support employees needs to know how to do something rather than why (Fradsen,

2014).

Transactional Leadership
Definition of transactional leadership
Yoder-Wise (2015) defines transactional leadership as an environment where the leader is authoritative and employees know that the leader has the authority to make decisions with little or no input from the employees.

A leader that uses this approach relies on their own knowledge to manage employees and situations using poer and control (Fradsen, 2014). These leaders are the ones who will use negative reinforcement and punishment to punish you for bad performance or to enforce the rules. McGuire and Kennery (2006) define the behaviors of a transactional leader as being punitive, giving contingent rewards, managing by active exception, or managing by passive

exception.

Pros
McGuire and Kennerly (2006) found organizational outcomes such as deadlines being met and work being completed according to the rules as advantages to this type of approach. Fradsen (2014) listed that this leadership style encourages staff to develop, and it effectively enforces those policies that protect patient safety. Another advantage is that this approach gives quickly implemented care because the leader makes the decision by themselves without having to get input from all of their followers. This approach is necessary when considering a serious issue such as patient safety, there should be no need for discussion as there is strict rules to protect patients safety.

Cons
Organizational outcomes such as limited job satisfaction and low to stable levels of commitment are some of the disadvantages of the transactional approach to leadership (McGuire, & Kennerly, 2006). This approach of leadership does not demonstrate trust or teamwork. It also does not allow for communication and makes some healthcare professions a challenging culture (Fradsen, 2014).