Lesson 2: Successful Leadership and Management

Leadership vs Management. I've actually never given it much thought. I thought it was interesting that the text devoted a chapter to the defining of each. However, after the reading, it does make sense because, although I previously thought of them as interchangeable, they are very different.

Management is an assigned position. It is involved more with formal organization and the title is a source of legitimate power within that organization. Managers direct those who follow them both willing and unwillingly.The manager is the one who accomplish, has the responsibility, and conducts. Managers are held responsible and accountable for the success and failures of the departments and people that they manage.

Leadership is seems as though it is more of a mantle that certain people take on in a given situation, and not necessarily as part of a formal organization. Leaders are people who influence others and have an influence to guide and direct their opinions and actions. To be a leader, one must have willing followers. Leadership can be developed.

Interestingly enough, a good manager is not necessarily a good leader. Nor is a good leader necessarily a good manager.

I don't work with any other nurses at my current job, so I don't have a nurse manager to ask what they expected when they took a management position. I work with, and as part of, an interdisciplinary team at a residential treatment program.

I disagree with the Great Man and Trait theories. I think some personalities may take on the role of a leader more easily than others, however I think anyone can prove to be a leader, depending on the given situation. I also think that those who possess the ability to lead also know when to step back into the roll of follower to support others in the position to lead.

I like the idea of transformational leadership in that it aims to have leaders and followers who are lift each other up to higher planes of motivation and morality. I don't think it would be possible to be a transformational leader 100% of the time.

I think an effective manager needs to possess leadership qualities so that those whom he/she manages want to do so. I also think that a good leader/manager combines parts from each of the different theories of leadership and management until they find what works for them and makes them the best leader or manager they can be in the given situation.