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Running head: SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 1
Utilizing Situational Leadership in Healthcare
Johnette Galloway
University of Mississippi Medical Center
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 2
Utilizing Situational Leadership in healthcare
Working at a large healthcare organization, it is important that managers are aware of the different management styles. This will help in becoming effective leaders. The theory I have identified in my organizations Situational Theory. Situational leadership
is one form of transformational leadership, which claims that there is not one leadership style that works in all situations Lynch, McCormack & McCance, (2011). The four leadership styles used with this theory include: directing, coaching, delegating and supporting. The first style identified is directing. Directing behaviors include giving specific directions and instructions and attempting to control the behavior of the group members. One example on, my unit involved a worker that repeatedly called in on the weekend she was scheduled to work. The manger informed her of the consequences of her actions. On the third incident, she was forced to terminate the worker. The manager could not let the worker continue to call in without reprimanding her. The second style identified is coaching. The manager is very supportive and directing with this particular style. Management has often encouraged the staff on specific tasks and has demonstrated how the task was to be carried out. One example includes the use of a new bladder scan machine on the floor. The manager not only encourage and explain the use of the new machine, she also demonstrated the use to each shift. The third style identified is delegating and supporting. Supporting behaviors include actions such as encouraging subordinates, listening, and offering recognition and feedback. Delegating involves assigning the right person to the task. On my unit the medical assistants had an issue with stocking the linen cart. Management attempted to let them resolve the issue among themselves. This approach did not work, so management stepped in and delegated the task. In conclusion, when using this theory the leader should consider alternative actions one can take and select the best approach to the situation. SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 3 Reference Lynch, B. M., McCormack, B., & McCance,T. (2011). Development of a model of situational leadership in residential care for older people. Journal of Nursing Management, 19 (8), 1058-69.
In the context of the Situational model leadership theory, there are three identifiable weaknesses in my leadership practice. These weaknesses represent shortcomings in my role as a leader and might prevent my team from fully executing the organization’s mission. The three weaknesses are:
Even though leadership can be an essential place for development, if certainly not of greater importance, is the desire to create your conditions, which service and boost new models of leadership. Another dimension regarding consideration inside the implementation regarding clinical governance as well as leadership would be the disempowerment from the nursing profession. Hitchcock (2013) supported this view, asserting that yesterday’s methods do not work in the permanent white-water world, where managers traditionally manage within the system and focus on doing things according to the rules.
Situational leadership is a theory which was designed in 1969 by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. The “contingency theories of leadership” states that a leader’s effectiveness is dependent on their behaviours in relation to different situational factors. Thus, situational leadership theory, relates to how a leader 's effectiveness is depend on their ability to adjust their leadership behaviour to the required level of the “followers” capability or if the situation is modified.
The situational leadership theory states that leaders use different styles and strategies depending on the situation. There are two models that support this theory. The Fiedler’s Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness states that an “effective leadership occurs only when there is an ideal match between the leader’s style and the group’s work situation” (pg
In this theory leadership style changes as needed to ensure that the goal is achieved (Huber, 2014). Each situation may need to be addressed differently, which requires flexibility by all involved, especially leadership. Managers need to evaluate every individual to understand what they are capable of and how they fit the needs of the institution and or situation (Nash, 2015). As a nurse I think this is a very important trait for a leader to have because of how quickly things change and how we must work within our environment. For example, in healthcare we sometimes have to allow others to take control of a situation on to ensure the best possible outcome for each patient. In addition, the manager needs to ensure that each person works within the scope of their practice, functions at the highest level allowed and completes their tasks. To be a successful leader in healthcare and achieve desired outcomes requires a high level of flexibility by leadership. I would also say that the contingency theory would also fit into my leadership style. The basis premise of this theory is that each situation is different and leadership needs to take that into account when managing a situation (Huber, 2014). At times a leader needs to look at the bigger picture and incorporate that in their decision making process. When looking at a specific situation taking input from all parties involved can lead to a more effective solution. We can learn a lot form those around us and need to take that in account to be an effective
Why now? Why are we focusing on transformational leadership? Healthcare costs are continuing to rise. Some of the critical problems and active debates prevalent in many hospital organizations include the rapidly intensifying healthcare costs, funding and reimbursement cutbacks, and concern regarding the overall quality and safety of health care. “Healthcare systems have come under pressure to improve performance and manage productivity” (Botting, 2011). To be successful in the 21st century, there is a demand on healthcare systems to have a vision and executive and clinical leadership to inspire the change process and make the difference between success and failure in change.
According to Business Dictionary.com, leadership is defined as the individuals who are the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively. It also can be define as the activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this. Leadership involves the establishing of a clear vision, sharing the vision with other so that they will follow willingly, providing the needed information, knowledge, and methods to realize the vision and coordinating and balancing the conflicts interests of all members and stakeholders.
According to McConell (2012), the difference in a leader and a follower determines the success of a person regarding leadership. This chapter helps explain the content of qualities and proficiency for healthcare managers to be effective. Once again, effective management skills or certain qualifications enhance a healthcare organization environment. Healthcare managers and supervisors must have the capacity to handle challenges while the organization objectives and regulations may change over a period of time. Effective healthcare management governs the success of a healthcare organization. There are many different skill sets and leadership styles to be effective as a manager. People are interested in knowing what strategies are effective in healthcare management.
A situational leader is the one who will use a different leadership style according to the need and specific situation at the moments.
Creating a structured environment and opportunities to apply what employee have learned and firmly delegate authority will lead viable outcomes in productivity. Managers utilizing situational leadership will have the platform to change their style to meet the workers’ needs and allow for growth and professional development to meet the operational needs.
Molecular and Microbiology. Many people hear the major and shudder; thoughts of sleepless nights, studying for courses unintelligible by the ‘average’ person, mad scientists hunched over test tubes and doctors doing open heart surgery. Research science and medicine, that’s what my major is geared towards, and I’m pursuing the medicine side of it all. Maybe I’ll be that open heart surgeon that comes to mind, or maybe just a family practitioner, either way, I want more than anything to be a doctor, a great doctor, and while my M&M degree is the first step in making that happen, I’d have to say that being a Lead Scholar is the second. Many people may not see the medical profession as one that requires being a leader to others, as you make your own decisions and people feel that you work on your own. You consult patients, help them with their problems, you work on each one on your own. If there is any involvement with any other health professional, people think it’s more like a team, with little to no individual leadership. They’re wrong, and right. Being a doctor is being a part of a team, and being a part of a team¬ does take personal leadership.
The contemporary era is the time with constant changes and new demands. In view of this point, we can't put unitary leadership into real work. Accordingly, the term of "contingency leadership theory" (also namely "situational leadership") is given rise to by those situational factors. This theory notes that managers can vary their styles to suit different circumstances.
Leadership is increasingly important in today's society. Many experts and scholars point out that the current leadership crisis concerns moral and character problems in many leaders (Ahn, Ettner, & Loupin, 2012; Callahan, 2004; Wright & Quick, 2011). The following interview report is intended primarily for exploration and comparison of the traits and characteristics of leadership. A leader of a clinical medicine centre was interviewed for this report. The purpose of this report is to explore the leadership characters and traits, and how they can be developed in this turbulent environment. First, I make a brief introduction regarding the background of the respondent and her working environment. The report also describes this leader's personal and subjective perceptions in relation to a literature review which investigates the traits and characteristics of leadership. The report concludes with a comparison and discussion of the results of the clinical condition on the basis of the interview and literature review. At the same time, the report aims to put forward feasible and effective advice and specific programs for present and future leaders and managers in the health care system.
The Situational Theories of leadership explain how leadership style must be tailored to the demands of the task and the qualities of subordinates.
Some situations may work in one of the business may actually fail to work in others situations. Each situation demands the best leadership styles to be employed in the firm. There are various business styles which need to be applied in different business situations. The situation in a business is normally having a greater effect on a leader actions which he or she takes as opposed to the personal traits possessed. This is due to the fact that, while personalities may have an inspiring firmness over a period of time, they have slight reliability across business situations. This makes some scholars to argue that process theory of leadership is better than the trait theory of leadership. In most cases, power in the business is misused and this leads to negative impacts to the business and those