20 Feb Describe and analyze an effective leader

1. Leadership Style Analysis

Leadership is essential in advanced practice nursing. Nurse Practitioners lead through communication, clinical decision-making, teamwork, advocacy, and systems improvement. In this assignment, you will analyze leadership through real-world observation and self-reflection.

You will:

1. Describe and analyze an effective leader

2. Describe and analyze an ineffective leader

3. Reflect on and evaluate your own leadership style, including improvement planning

Learning Objectives

By completing this assignment, students will be able to:

· Identify characteristics of effective and ineffective leadership in healthcare settings

· Analyze leadership behaviors using leadership concepts

· Reflect on personal leadership strengths and growth opportunities

· Create an action plan to improve professional leadership skills as a future FNP

Student Instructions:

Part 1: Analyze an Effective Leader

Choose a leader you believe is effective (healthcare or non-healthcare). This may include:

· Nurse manager, charge nurse, NP leader, physician leader

· Faculty member, administrator, team leader

· Community leader or organizational leader

Include:

· The leader’s role (do not include identifying personal details)

· Setting/context where you observed their leadership

· Behaviors that make them effective

· Leadership style you believe they demonstrate (examples: transformational, servant leadership, democratic, coaching, etc.)

· How their leadership impacts team performance, patient outcomes, or workplace culture

Part 2: Analyze an Ineffective Leader

Choose a leader you believe is ineffective (healthcare or non-healthcare). You do not need to name them—protect confidentiality.

Include:

· The leader’s role and context (no names or identifiers)

· Behaviors that make their leadership ineffective

· Leadership style (or lack of style/skills) demonstrated

· Impact on teamwork, safety, morale, communication, or quality of care

· What could have been done differently to improve their leadership effectiveness

Part 3: Self-Reflection — Your Leadership Style

Reflect on your own leadership behaviors and development.

Address both of the following:

– What you wish your leadership style was (ideal leadership) – What you actually do (real habits, patterns, strengths, weaknesses)

Include:

· Your leadership strengths

· Areas you need to improve

· How your current leadership approach affects teamwork, communication, or conflict

· How you can grow into an advanced practice leadership role as a future FNP

Part 4: Leadership Improvement Plan

Develop a realistic plan to improve your leadership style.

Your plan must include:

· At least 3 specific strategies (example: improving communication, delegation, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, time management, feedback skills, accountability, etc.)

· A timeline or clear next steps (example: “in the next 4 weeks I will…”)

· How you will measure improvement (examples: feedback from peers/preceptor, journaling, self-assessment tools)

Paper Requirements (APA 7th Edition)

Your paper must meet the following:

· Minimum length: 3 full pages (not including title page and references)

· APA format: Title page, headings (recommended), in-text citations, and reference list

· Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1-inch margins

· Include at least 2 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed journal articles or academic textbooks)

· Maintain professional tone and clear organization

Confidentiality Reminder

Do not include names of facilities, staff, or leadership members. Use descriptions such as:

· “A nurse manager in an outpatient clinic”

· “A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit”

Submission Instructions

Submit your assignment in Canvas as a Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF file by the posted deadline.