She surfs the internet for more information about leadership styles. She reads about shared leadership as a practice in some magnet hospitals. Which of the following describes this style of leadership?
A. Leadership behavior is generally determined by the relationship between the leader’s personality and the specific situation.
B. Leaders believe that people are basically good and need not be closely controlled.
C. Leaders rely heavily on visioning and inspire members to achieve results.
D. Leadership is shared at the point of care.
Correct Answer: D. Leadership is shared at the point of care.
Shared governance allows the staff nurses to have the authority, responsibility, and accountability for their own practice. Shared leadership is the practice of governing a school by expanding the number of people involved in making important decisions related to the school’s organization, operation, and academics. In practice, shared leadership may be defined differently from school to school, and it may take a wide variety of forms.
Option A: The situational theory of leadership refers to those leaders who adopt different leadership styles according to the situation and the development level of their team members. It is an effective way of leadership because it adapts to the team’s needs and sets a beneficial balance for the whole organization.
Option B: The laissez-faire leadership style is at the opposite end of the autocratic style. Of all the leadership styles, this one involves the least amount of oversight. While it’s beneficial to give people opportunities to spread their wings, with a total lack of direction, people may unwittingly drift in the wrong direction—away from the critical goals of the organization.
Option C: In the transformational leadership style, the leader inspires his or her followers with a vision and then encourages and empowers them to achieve it. The leader also serves as a role model for the vision.