Introduction
For effective functioning of an organization, good leadership is essential. Leadership is a way of life, a concept, and an aspect of continuous evolution of different professions. Leadership is the ability to establish goals and visions, and the ability to achieve those goals while maintaining competence, commitment, and teamwork among group members. There are different leadership styles and traits that individual leaders use. Further, factors such as politics affect leadership in many professions. This paper analyzes leadership styles used in the nursing profession. Additionally, it documents the influences of political actions in the nursing profession. Finally, it analyzes the importance of political action awareness by leaders in the healthcare industry.
Leadership traits and styles used in healthcare organizations
Different individuals have different views on leadership. Some view leadership as easy to embrace while others view it as a complex concept that takes long to master. To be a successful leader in the healthcare industry one has to possess fundamental traits and characteristics. For example, an individual must possess qualities such as problem solving skills, honesty, sound judgment, sense of responsibility, confidence, and initiative taking. There are two main styles used by leaders, which are democracy and autocracy. These two approaches cover dynamic, bureaucratic, transformational, and transactional leadership styles. A good leader should incorporate several leadership styles for effective leadership.
Formal and informal leadership in healthcare organizations
Some individuals are naturally good leaders while others have to work hard to become good leaders. This depends on the power of an individual to influence his/her peers and group members. In formal leadership, relevant parties officially choose an individual as a leader of the group. The chosen individual has responsibilities towards the group and answers to the relevant parties. An individual who gives motivation and inspiration to his/her peers is an informal leader and does not answer to anybody.
Political action awareness by leaders in healthcare organizations
Government policies influence the functioning of the nursing profession and the healthcare industry as a whole. Therefore, leaders should be aware of political actions that affect the healthcare industry in order to handle them effectively. Political action awareness helps leader to evaluate policies that affect the nursing profession.
Uses and importance of professional organizations in creating political action awareness in the healthcare industry
Leaders should take advantage of the positions they hold in nursing organizations to stay aware of political actions that influence the nursing profession and the healthcare industry. Leaders should use professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association to achieve this goal. Nursing professional organizations operate at local, international, and specialized levels. These organizations are important as they advocate for the rights of the nursing profession. In addition, these organizations continuously lobby for political activities and policies that affect the healthcare industry. These organizations inform the leaders on political decisions and events that affect the nursing profession. Further, these organizations act as voices of the healthcare industry.
Conclusion
Leadership is a core element in the functioning of the nursing profession. Leaders should integrate different leadership styles effectiveness. They should also improve their traits. Further, they should be aware of political actions that affect the nursing profession. Therefore, leaders should join and support nursing professional organizations.