Running head: FORMATTING GUIDE



Comparison of Leader and Manger Roles: Where Do I Fit In?

Rebecca Tiernan

Baker College

Comparison of Leader and Manager Roles: Where Do I Fit In?

When it comes to having a successful workplace, a manager must be able to manage, as well as lead. Does this mean that these two terms are interchangeable? No. What this does mean is that for a manager to be able to make the everyday functions happen within their organization, he or she must provide a safe environment and a sense of purpose to the employees, as well as be able to control, direct and evaluate others (Yoder-Wise, 2015). To manage, he or she must also at the same time be a leader and be able to guide his or her employees by example, in a direction that will achieve the goals and visions of the company, creating a successful work place (Yoder-Wise, 2015). Both the leader and the manager have differing traits and characteristics that make them independent from one another, but together, these traits create the most desired attributes for successful management and leadership in the work place.

Some of the essential characteristics of a successful manager might include good communication skills, flexibility, having the ability to delegate, and excellent organizational skills. Managers must be skilled at keeping employees on task and enforcing accountability as well as maintaining transparency and have a positive and optimistic attitude. Successful managers will also set clear and realistic goals for their employees and are not afraid to get their hands dirty and help whenever there is a need.

The essential characteristics of successful leaders are almost innate, making it seem as if they were born into their roles. Leaders are often fearless and are not afraid of risk taking or making mistakes. They are collaborative, making sure everyone feels included and part of the process. They have excellent communication skills and listening skills. They share their thoughts, ideas and visions with everyone. Leaders are honest, confident, compassionate and genuinely care. True leaders lead by their example and seem to bring out the best in people. Different styles of leadership lead to different outcomes within an organization. In nursing, successful leadership can empower nurses and increase organizational commitment (Lee, Lee, Kim, Park & Sung, 2015).

There are many different styles of leadership. Some of which include the democratic leader, transactional leader, the authoritarian leader, the servant leader, the laissez-faire leader, and the transformational leader. Out of all these different styles of leadership, the two specific styles that stand out to me the most are the servant leader and the transformational leader. Servant leaders are very similar to transformational leaders in the sense that both styles are based on building relationships by inspiring employees and sharing the visions and missions of the company. Servant leaders hear and address the needs of everyone on their team and include everyone in decision making and problem solving (Frandsen, 2014). “Servant leadership has also been positively associated with trust in nursing managers and trust in the organization” (Hutchinson, 2018, p. 3). Transformational leaders communicate in such an enthusiastic and exciting way that people are naturally drawn to them. They inspire people through their actions and are very confident and loyal (Frandsen, 2014). They have encouraging personalities and go out of their way to help people achieve goals they never thought possible (Frandsen, 2014).

Some of the specific characteristics that would make someone a good servant leader would include being an exceptional listener, having a commitment to helping others grow, having foresight, awareness, acceptance, honesty, persuasion, and the drive to build community within the company (Frandsen, 2014). On the other hand, someone who is a good transformational leader would be charismatic, inspirational and motivational, with individualized consideration (Yoder-Wise, 2015). Transformational leaders are also not afraid to challenge organizational processes, they are inspirational and bring people together and are not afraid of giving praise for a job well done (Yoder-Wise, 2015).

After looking at the different characteristics of both the servant and transformational leaders, I feel that I possess the qualities and traits of a servant leader. I am honest and an excellent communicator as well as listener. I have empathy for others and have the desire to help and heal others both physically and emotionally. I have a general awareness about myself, I am not afraid to take risks and I am dependable and trustworthy. I further possess foresight and conceptualization skills and the commitment to the success and growth of others. Not to mention my desire to build community within a facility. The servant leader style is one that I would in fact like to emulate throughout my nursing practice. I feel I have the qualities necessary to make that happen. Even if I have a few characteristic kinks to work out.

After thoughtfully examining my own personal traits and characteristics, I also found that I have two significant traits that could potentially impede my effectiveness as a leader. One of which is that sometimes it is difficult for me to find harmony and balance in my life. For example, my current situation as a student nurse. I can prioritize tasks and assignments but tend to get too involved in various projects, papers and other work making it difficult to keep myself on the right track and not cut myself short elsewhere such as in time for myself or my family. I also have a very strong personality which may be good in some respects as far as assertiveness is concerned, but it can also be deemed a negative when you are not afraid to say what is on your mind. I do feel however, that being self-aware of these characteristics and continuously striving to improve myself and my wellbeing, will only enhance all the rest of the qualities I do have that make a successful leader.

Nursing is a field that requires empathy and understanding, as well as exceptional listening and communication skills. It requires honesty, integrity and a healing thought process as well as a commitment to self-growth and the growth of others. Nursing also means having the ability to create a sense of community within an organization. All these characteristics can be found in the qualities of servant leaders. Servant leadership helps to improve the care that is delivered to patients through encouragement rather than promoting power and authority. This type of leadership encourages relationships not only with oneself, but with providers and clients alike. It also allows for teamwork which has a positive effect on the entire community (Anderson, 2016). A relationship between job satisfaction and the servant leadership role has also been established (Sadeghi, Arkawaz, Cheraghi & Moghimbeigi, 2015), as well as a relationship between the work environment and employee turnover (Hanse, Harlin, Jarebrant & Winkle, 2015). All these positive attributes of the servant leader are essential for the success of a nursing leader.

As I continue in my nursing journey, I will look for any and every opportunity to advance my knowledge in leadership. I will search for innovative ways to support my team and my organization and make sure my own actions are reviewed continuously for feedback on how I can improve. I will attend various seminars and workshops on leadership and share any useful information with my team, so we can grow together in the organization. I will also continue to be self-aware focusing on my personal strengths and improving on my weaknesses as well as being a role model for the qualities and behaviors I would like to see within my team.

Leadership is not a role that everyone can perform. Being bold, taking risks and being assertive are qualities that are almost inborn and predispose certain people to being successful leaders. Other people have the potential to learn how to lead through various educational seminars, webinars or training modules through their employers, or even through self-guided courses. Both the inborn and learned leader have the potential and capacity to be successful. In the nursing profession leadership is a very important and highly valued skill. Nurses essentially lead their ill patients into a state of wellness and lead confused families to understanding. They lead and guide new graduates into the role of a nursing with confidence, understanding and compassion, and fearlessly take on new challenges as they arise. They lead by their example and are always working to help others grow and build community within the organization. Nursing leaders motivate others to achieve their goals which creates a sense of team spirit or company spirit. In the end, being a nurse leader will reinforce your dedication to making a difference in other peoples lives which is what nursing is all about.

References

Anderson, D. (2016, August 1). Servant leadership, emotional intelligence: essential for baccalaureate nursing students. Creative Nursing, 22(3), 176-180. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library.

Hutchinson, M. (2018, March 13). The crisis of public trust in governance and institutions: Implications for nursing leadership. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(2), 3. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library.

Johansson, J., Harlin, U., Jarebrant, C., Ulin, K., & Winkel, J. (2015, April 16). The impact of servant leadership dimensions on leader-member exchange among health care professionals. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(2). Retrieved from Wiley Online Library.

Lee, S., Lee, M., Kim, H., Park, O., & Sung, B. (2015, December 31). Effects of head nurse’s servant leadership on organizational commitment among clinical nurses: focused on the mediating effect of empowerment. Korean Academy of Nursing, 21(5), 552-560. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library.

Sadeghi, A., Arkawaz, G., Cheraghi, F., & Moghimbeigi, A. (2015, April 29). Relationship between head nurses’ servant leadership style and nurses’ job satisfaction. Journal of Nursing Management, 4(1). Retrieved from Wiley Online Library.

Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2015). Leading and managing in nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

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