A constructive follower has several positive characteristics:
● Self-directed ● Proactive ● Supportive ● Commitment ● Initiative
Many of these qualities are the same ones that make an excellent leader, discussed next.
What Makes a Successful Leader? Leadership success is an elusive quality. Some people seem to be natural leaders, and others struggle to attain leadership skills.
See how one nurse leader described her work:
I believe that the most important role of a nurse leader is to live the life and exemplify at all times the qualities that every professional nurse leader should. I also believe the nurse leader/manager must be the person to set the bar high and perform at the highest levels in order to inspire their staff to achieve the same.
As a nurse manager, I at all times work to be an excellent communicator, compassionate, caring, vested in my job, willing to go above and beyond, and assist people with any task or issue they just need a little extra support on. I feel that by doing this, there is never a question what I expect from them and those around me. I verbally set expectations, but by living them as a role model.
52 PART 1 • UNDERSTANDING NURSING MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONS
For example, at shift change two nights ago, a physician wanted to do a bedside proce- dure. I was actually planning on leaving soon after a long day. I knew it was shift change, and didn’t want the staff to be interrupted, so I volunteered to stay and do the procedure so they could continue with report and the physician and patient were not kept waiting. The staff were very appreciative, but more importantly, I think it set the right example of teamwork, being flexible, being patient focused, etc.
I think it is important for the nurse leader to provide feedback at times other than evalu- ations. The nurse leader should schedule time into the workweek to have informal conver- sations with staff on the floor about comments a patient or coworker has shared or to send an e-mail to a staff member about feedback the leader has received. I think constructive feedback needs to be timely and supportive and the need for improvement discussed long before an evaluation.
I find having conversations about “What are your goals?” or “What can I help you explore or do that you’ve been dreaming about to enhance your nursing career?” People need to feel comfortable having these conversations with their trusted nurse leader. Build- ing relationships with those you lead is important.
Leaders are skilled in empowering others, creating meaning and facilitating learning, developing knowledge, thinking reflectively, communicating, solving problems, making deci- sions, and working with others. Leaders generate excitement; they clearly define their purpose and mission. Leaders understand people and their needs; they recognize and appreciate differ- ences in people, individualizing their approach as needed.
What You Know Now • A leader employs specific behaviors and strategies to influence individuals and groups to attain goals. • Managers are responsible for efficiently accomplishing the goals of the organization. • Leadership approaches are not static; they can be adapted for different situations, tasks, individuals, and
future expectations. • Contemporary theorists assert that reality is fluid, complex, and interrelated and that interpersonal
relationships are core to successful leadership. • Traditional management functions include planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. • Both leaders and followers contribute to the effectiveness of their relationship. • Successful leaders inspire and empower others, generate excitement, and individualize their approach to
differences in people.