The Characteristics And Challenges Of Democratic Leadership In Nursing

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The aim of this paper is to explore exactly what is democratic leadership? Guided by a brief analysis of autocratic and laissez-faire styles of leadership the paper will then look at, with more detail, the traits that dominate democratic leadership. It is these very traits that will aid this paper in exploring issues and situations that potentially can face the Registered Nurse. One such challenge that invites scrutiny is that of workplace bullying and how the democratic leadership of the Registered Nurse best used to defuse or prevent this from occurring or escalating. Another challenge that can impact upon the nursing unit is that of change. Nursing, while intrinsically governed by new or improved ways of therapeutic care to the patient is also faced with …show more content…

While staff may initially be informed as to their duties, from that point on they are free to complete their task as they see fit (Malos, 2012). This, the author argues can lead to reduced output, poor team ship and low staff morale. The same author also comments that this style of leadership is best left to organisations whose staffs are technically proficient, have the proper education, are trusted while unsupervised, and have sound work ethics. When examined from a nursing perspective, Jackson, Hutchinson, Peters, Luck, and Saltman (2013) looked upon laissez-faire as an evasive form of leadership, and that underling issues such as ignorance and less than adequate competency played their respective roles. The author’s research found that laissez-faire, while seeking to offer staff independence, could in reality promote a sense of distrust towards the very people offering the independence. Equally, important, as discussed by the authors, was the negative effect that this leadership style could impinge upon staff wishing to report a serious workplace issues or other

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