Looking back on your time with your preceptor/mentor, what type of leader are they? Explain your answer. Elaborate on what characteristics your preceptor/mentor displayed most consistently. Share examples from your experience to support your response
DQ 15-1: Leadership Characteristics Displayed by My Preceptor/Nurse Leader
Working with my preceptor throughout the practicum period did not only help me to learn new concepts related to my practice but it also provided an opportunity for me to recognize leadership characteristics that define a good leader. My preceptor’s leadership behaviors were adequately aligned with servant, democratic and transformational leadership styles. Even as she displayed the seven leadership principles discussed in the videos, my preceptor also strived to apply appropriate leadership styles appropriate for every situation she encountered. From my experiences, I can confidently state that my preceptor is a servant, democratic, and transformational leader.
The servant, democratic, and transformational leadership styles displayed by my preceptor were clearly evident in her leadership characteristics. Democratic leaders usually lead by example and allow their followers to participate in decision-making as they express the power to give the final ruling (Alsaqqa & Akyürek, 2021). My preceptor displayed democratic leadership characteristics during weeks 5 and 6 when she demonstrated inclusivity when working with nurses and students in their practicum to address patient care issues. According to Allen et al. (2017), servant leaders support their followers to achieve both professional and personal growth by helping them to address their weaknesses. They engage in practices that generate benefits for their followers. As a servant leader, my preceptor was ready to see me succeed in my practicum and my project during weeks 1 and 2 by helping me to develop a clear plan of activities. Transformational leaders invest in relationship building to improve outcomes and bring about change in their settings. During weeks 7 and 8, my preceptor consistently displayed transformational leadership characteristics when she steered the renovation of the ward that was hosting elderly patients at risk of falling. I will emulate my preceptor’s leadership characteristics in order to be successful in my future role as a nurse leader.
Allen, G. P., Moore, W. M., Moser, L. R., Neill, K. K., Sambamoorthi, U., & Bell, H. S. (2017). The role of servant leadership and transformational leadership in academic pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(7), 113. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe807113.
Alsaqqa, H. H., & Akyürek, Ç. E. (2021). Assessment of organizational culture types, leadership styles and their relationships within governmental and non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip of Palestine. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 356. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06351-