Running head: DISCOVERING LEADERSHIP STYLE AND PERSONAL 1

Discovering Leadership Style and Personal Nursing Philosophy

A. Yvonne Babb

East Tennessee State University

DISCOVERING LEADERSHIP STYLE AND PERSONAL 2

Discovering Leadership Style and Personal Nursing Philosophy

Introduction

When speaking of personal leadership style and personal nursing philosophy in nursing,

the topic could be described as highly variable and specific to the individual caregiver. By

developing a leadership style and being familiar with its implications, a nurse is preparing his or

herself to put those values into practice in the workplace. Once this has occurred, the nurse can

also weave this style of leading into their everyday clinical practice with the support of nursing

theories to go by. Hand-in-hand, leadership styles and nursing theories focus the nurse to format

his or her skills and personality into a working complex that forms a successful leader.

Discussion Of Significance of Issue

When discussing the impact of leadership styles in the workplace, according to Wang,

Oh, Courtright, and Colbert (2011), transformational leaders have made impacts that include

positive responses in team performance (Arnold, Connelly, Walsh, Martin Ginis, 2015). By

implementing these practices, the nurse is opening the door to success with coworkers and

positive outcomes in their environment (Arnold et al., 2015). Furthermore, according to Watson

(2012), by implementing nursing theory, the nurse is fostering the nurse-to-patient relationship

and allowing health and healing to take place (Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014). Nursing theories

also provide a pathway for assessment and correction by form of intervention to lacking areas

(O’Shaughnessy, 2014). By being involved and familiar with leadership styles and nursing

theories, a nurse can be self-aware of intentional ways to become an effective leader in his or her

personal style.

Leadership Styles That Have Influenced My Leadership Style

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According to Gardner, Fischer, and Hunt (2009), when selecting a particular leadership

style, transformational leadership theory adheres the closest to my own practice standards and

beliefs (Arnold et al., 2015). Bass and Riggio (2006) stated that the four components of this style

of leadership are individual consideration, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, and

inspirational motivation (Arnold et al., 2015). Also, Chuang, Judge, and Law (2012) argued that

transformational leaders are involved in sharing positive emotions with their followers (Arnold et

al., 2015). As a nurse, one would say that expressing positive and uplifting topics among nursing

staff would boost morale and strengthen bonds between leaders and followers alike (Arnold et

al., 2015). Furthermore, according to Arnold and Loughlin (2013), nurses that follow this style

are more likely to have conversations and inspire actions in their staff that involve exploring new

ways of thinking and performing tasks (Arnold et al., 2015). This leadership style is best suited

to me, as it is a genuine and involved approach to being an active leader.

Nursing Theorists That Have Helped Shape My Personal Nursing Philosophy

The first nursing theory that closely applies to my practice is Jean Watson’s Theory of

Caring (Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014). According to Nursing Theory (2015), Watson’s theory

fosters greater patient outcomes and focuses on the aspect of advocating for a caring environment

(Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014). According to Taylor (2011), an example of this theory would

involve a nurse and patient interacting in an accepting atmosphere (Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014).

Furthermore, Watson (2012) emphasizes that a nurse spends time with the patient and has a true

desire to connect with him or her (Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014). This theory has shaped my

personal nursing philosophy by instilling a desire in me to actively display that I am here for the

patient and that I want them to feel safe in which topics they choose to discuss.
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The second nursing theory that adheres to my practice is Dorothea Orem’s Theory of Self-

Care and Self-Care Deficit (O’Shaughnessy, 2014). According to Orem, Taylor, and Renpenning

(2001), a patient has an innate ability for self-care, and a nurse should assist the patient when he

or she cannot complete tasks on their own (O’Shaughnessy, 2014). A nurse has also been successful

if he or she allows the patient to maintain a sense of independence over their own care to maintain

better outcomes (O’Shaughnessy, 2014).This theory relates to my own nursing vision, as I believe

a nurse should empower the patient to take an active role in their care and feel involved. By doing

this, the nurse has not completely taken the patient out of the situation and has promoted the

opposite of helplessness.

How Leadership Style and Personal Nursing Philosophy Are Related

When discussing the similarities between leadership styles and personal nursing

philosophy, the two topics are tied together by implementation and execution. By being a

transformational leader, a nurse can have emotional flexibility to suit their own style along with

their nursing philosophy-related practices (Arnold et al., 2015). Nursing philosophy may also

work to influence leadership style. According to Watson (2012) in the Theory of Caring, a

connection can form between individuals and enforce a caring moment (Parker & Lane-

Tillerson, 2014). According to Watson (2012), because of this, a nurse may be more likely to be a

transformational leader by being more likely to empathize with others (Parker & Lane-Tillerson,

2014; Arnold et al., 2015). By fusing these standards together, the nurse has combined leadership

style and nursing philosophy into a detailed practice.

Conclusion

One may say that transformational leadership, along with Watson’s Theory of Caring and

Orem’s Theory of Self-Care and Self-Care Deficit are most closely fitted to my visions as a
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nurse (Arnold et al., 2015; Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014; O’Shaughnessy, 2014). A

transformational leadership style embodies the qualities of trust and improvement that I am

focused to implement in my future career as a nurse (Arnold et al., 2015). Furthermore, nursing

theories have also impacted my values and aspirations to connect with my patients and develop a

safe and positive atmosphere (Parker & Lane-Tillerson, 2014). By intentionally focusing on

developing my practice with evidence-based practice, positive leadership styles, and nursing

theory, I am encompassing the creation of a rich environment of development and high-quality

care.
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References

Arnold, K. A., Connelly, E. C., Walsh, M. M., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2015). Leadership styles,

emotion regulation, and burnout. Journal of Occupational Health and Psychology, 20(4).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0039045

O’Shaughnessy, M. (2014). Application of Dorothea Orem’s theory of self-care to the elderly

patient on peritoneal dialysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(5). Retrieved from

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Parker, M. R., & Lane-Tillerson, C. (2014). Watson’s caring theory and the care of a pediatric

patient. JOCEPS: The Journal of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, 58(1). Retrieved from

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8c01-d3a86c18deaa%40sdc-v-sessmgr03