Respond to discusion post

Respond to discusion post using APA format with 2 professional references within the last 5 years

Leadership style defines how a leader rule. The manner in which a leader rule differentiate a leadership style from others (Graham & Melnyk, 2014). One of the roles of a manager is planning and budgeting (Laureate Education, 2012f). Planning and budgeting involve the ability to use allocated funds to achieve customers’ satisfaction. In healthcare organization, a unit manager planning and budgeting include using employees, nurses, to achieve customer satisfaction through quality staffing. The tendency to retain and reduce turnover is an important aspect of planning and budgeting. Therefore, staff nurse job satisfaction and retention are crucial in achieving quality patient care and excellent feedback from healthcare consumers (Azaare & Gross, 2011). The type of leadership style used by a manager impact staff retention and reduction in turnover and thus reduction in recruiting expenses (Graham & Melnyk, 2014).

There are several leadership styles, not all exhibit the same traits, yet many commonly relate to democratic, laissez-faire and authoritarian styles. Leadership styles affect the entire unit, including employee morale, and ultimately can affect the quality of patient care (Cox, 2016). For instance, the democratic leader encourages open communication and staff participation in decisions. Relationships are important to this leader who places a focus on quality improvement of systems and processes, rather than on mistakes of individual team members (Marquis & Houston, 2015). Laissez-faire leadership is when the leader provides little or no supervision and prefers to take a hands-off approach (AANAC, 2014). When this occurs, the team is already motivated and is free to do whatever they want to do. However, this type of leadership is not helpful for employees who need some organization and direction. The authoritarian style of leadership places the leader as the ultimate decision-maker. Some authoritarian leaders may act outwardly aggressive and dominant, while others concentrate on using the experience to act quickly and strategically (Cox, 2016).

My current unit manager is a democratic leader. She has an open door policy where ideas are freely expressed, communication flows up and down between the unit manager and nurses. She displays leadership role and emphasis on developing nurses with strong decision-making skills, guiding nurses through suggestion, motivation, and constructive criticism. There is less control, and teamwork is crucial as it defines our achievement for the day and not just an individual performance (Marquis & Huston, 2015). She expresses her appreciation to all staff members that work with the nurse in achieving the customer satisfaction. Valuing staff promotes job retention, satisfaction, improved patient care and reduced cost of operation

I will like to be identified as a democratic leader because, it encourages the involvement of staff members to be active employees with high confidence in providing quality patients care while working as a partner with other healthcare members involved in the patient care. This leadership style facilitates employees to solve problems by allowing the team to have some flexibility in decisions making; by helping them identify issues and developing the resources needed to overcome their problems. This defines democratic leadership style because employees are directed through suggestion and guidance (Marquis & Huston, 2015). I will collaborate with staff members as I supervise to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.

In conclusion, an outcome of democratic leadership style is better staff satisfaction and lower burnout rates (Graham & Melnyk, 2014). Better staff satisfaction can lead to quality patient care and thus fulfilling the ultimate goal of leadership initiative, which is “strengthening leadership confidence and competence for the ultimate purpose of improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes, as well as of reducing costs.” (Graham & Melnyk, 2014).

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According to the discussion post, there are various leadership styles used by managers.  They include, authoritative leadership, democratic leadership, and laissez-faire leadership styles.  The characteristics of these leadership styles vary form one style to another. The type of leadership style used influences…