A Thematic Analysis of Self-described Authentic Leadership Behaviors Among Experienced Nurse Executives

Saudi women's leadership experiences in the healthcare sector: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Gender equality in the workforce and the promotion of woman leadership is critical to economic growth and the sustainable development of society and the global community. However, gender diversity in leadership positions is a concern as women continue to be underrepresented. Ensuring equal opportunities in leadership positions in the health sector can help advance the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore Saudi women's perspectives and leadership experiences at senior-level positions in the healthcare sector.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted to address the study aim. This included nine semi-structured interviews with Saudi women who have held leadership positions in the health sector over the past ten years. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted by adopting the six phases.

RESULTS

The results showed that internal factors, such as qualifications, experience, and the innate qualities of a winner, are the most important factors that contribute to women's leadership. Women's role expectations, gender norms, and the patriarchal nature of the community have a negative impact on women's leadership. One of the new findings of this study was negative attitudes and lack of support from female colleagues.

CONCLUSION

Women leaders in health care in Saudi Arabia share similarities and differences with women leaders around the world. However, the Saudi community has its own social norms and gender roles that cannot be denied. While Vision 2030 brought a number of positive changes in women's empowerment that participants spoke of, more research is needed to explore men's perceptions, which can complete the picture and lead to organizational improvement and changes.

Authentic leadership in nurses' professional practice: an integrative review

OBJECTIVES

to identify the primary constructs concerning authentic leadership and its relevance for nurses' professional practice.

METHODS

integrative literature review conducted between 2015 and 2020 in LILACS, SciELO, and PubMed databases.

RESULTS

the United States published most of the 31 studies analyzed, with eight studies (25.8%), followed by Canada with seven studies (22.6%), and Brasil with five (16.1%). Most studies adopted a quantitative approach (77.41%), and 96.8% presented weak evidence. Three categories emerged: Work Engagement/Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment; Healthy Work Environment; and Intention to Quit the Job and Mental Exhaustion.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

authentic leadership positively contributes to management and nursing care practice, promoting healthy work environments, structural empowerment, greater work engagement, and organizational commitment, decreasing absenteeism and mental exhaustion.

Authentic Leadership Questionnaire applied to Brazilian nurses: evidence of validity

OBJECTIVE

to establish the psychometric properties of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) applied to Brazilian nurses.

METHOD

cross-sectional observational study with a non-probabilistic sample. The psychometric properties of the RATER and SELF versions of the ALQ were calculated using confirmatory factor analysis with the WLSMV robust estimation method. The following indices were used to assess the goodness-of-fit of the model: chi-square by degrees of freedom (χ2/df), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual (SRMR). Data reliability was analyzed using the ordinal coefficient alpha and composite reliability.

RESULTS

181 nurses participated of the study (female gender: 80.1%; mean age of 34.6 years; working time of less than five years: 76.3%). The complete ALQ RATER and ALQ SELF models did not present an adequate fit. Therefore, the refined models presented a better fit to the sample data (ALQ RATER: χ2/df=2.77; CFI=0.97; TLI=0.97; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.05; ALQ SELF: χ2/df=2.74; CFI=0.94; TLI=0.92; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.08). In the ALQ RATER model, items 1, 7 and 13 were excluded. Due to the high correlation between the factors Relational Transparency and Moral Perspective, a three-factor model based on the combination of the factors mentioned above was proposed. In the ALQ SELF model, items 2, 5, 9 and 10 were excluded. Likewise, a three-factor model based on the combination of two factors, now called Self-Awareness Balance, was proposed.

CONCLUSION

the data obtained with the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire with Brazilian nurses were valid and reliable.

A liderança autêntica no exercício profissional do enfermeiro: uma revisão integrativa

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar os principais construtos adotados sobre a liderança autêntica e sua relevância para a prática profissional do enfermeiro. Métodos: revisão integrativa da literatura no período de 2015 a 2020, nas bases de dados: LILACS, SciELO e PubMed. Resultados: dos 31 estudos analisados, os países que mais publicaram foram Estados Unidos, com 8 estudos (25,8%), Canadá com 7 (22,6 %) e Brasil com 5 (16,1%); houve predomínio de estudos de abordagem quantitativa (77,41%), e 96,8% apresentaram nível de evidência fraca. Emergiram três categorias para discussão: Engajamento/Satisfação no trabalho e comprometimento organizacional; Ambiente de trabalho saudável; Intenção de sair do emprego e desgaste mental. Considerações Finais: a liderança autêntica contribui positivamente na gestão e na prática do cuidado do enfermeiro, proporcionando ambientes de trabalho mais saudáveis, empoderamento estrutural, maior engajamento no trabalho e comprometimento organizacional, além de contribuir para diminuição das taxas de absenteísmo e desgaste mental.

Authentic Leadership Questionnaire aplicado a enfermeros brasileños: evidencias de validez

Resumen Objetivo: estimar las propiedades psicométricas del Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) aplicado a enfermeros brasileños. Método: estudio observacional transversal con muestreo no probabilístico. Las propiedades psicométricas de las versiones RATER y SELF del ALQ se estimaron mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio con el método de estimación robusta WLSMV. Como índices de calidad de ajuste de los modelos se utilizó: razón de chi-cuadrado por grados de libertad (χ2/gl), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) y Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual (SRMR). La confiabilidad de los datos se analizó mediante el coeficiente alfa ordinal y la confiabilidad compuesta. Resultados: participaron 181 enfermeros (sexo femenino: 80,1%; edad media de 34,6 años; tiempo de trabajo inferior a cinco años: 76,3%). Los modelos completos ALQ RATER y ALQ SELF no mostraron un ajuste adecuado. Por lo tanto, el modelo refinado presentó un mejor ajuste para la muestra (ALQ RATER: χ2/gl=2,77; CFI=0,97; TLI=0,97; RMSEA=0,10; SRMR=0,05; ALQ SELF: χ2/gl=2,74; CFI=0,94, TLI=0,92, RMSEA=0,10, SRMR=0,08). En el modelo ALQ RATER se eliminaron los ítems 1, 7 y 13. Debido a la alta correlación entre los factores Transparencia Relacional y Perspectiva Moral, se propuso un modelo de tres factores basado en la unión de los factores mencionados anteriormente. En el modelo ALQ SELF se eliminaron los ítems 2, 5, 9 y 10. Asimismo, se propuso un modelo trifactorial basado en la unión de dos factores, ahora denominado Equilibrio de Autoconciencia. Conclusión: los datos obtenidos con el Authentic Leadership Questionnaire con enfermeros brasileños fueron válidos y confiables.

Authentic Leadership Questionnaire applied to Brazilian nurses: evidence of validity

Objective:

to establish the psychometric properties of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) applied to Brazilian nurses.

Method:

cross-sectional observational study with a non-probabilistic sample. The psychometric properties of the RATER and SELF versions of the ALQ were calculated using confirmatory factor analysis with the WLSMV robust estimation method. The following indices were used to assess the goodness-of-fit of the model: chi-square by degrees of freedom (χ²/df), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual (SRMR). Data reliability was analyzed using the ordinal coefficient alpha and composite reliability.

Results:

181 nurses participated of the study (female gender: 80.1%; mean age of 34.6 years; working time of less than five years: 76.3%). The complete ALQ RATER and ALQ SELF models did not present an adequate fit. Therefore, the refined models presented a better fit to the sample data (ALQ RATER: χ²/df=2.77; CFI=0.97; TLI=0.97; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.05; ALQ SELF: χ²/df=2.74; CFI=0.94; TLI=0.92; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.08). In the ALQ RATER model, items 1, 7 and 13 were excluded. Due to the high correlation between the factors Relational Transparency and Moral Perspective, a three-factor model based on the combination of the factors mentioned above was proposed. In the ALQ SELF model, items 2, 5, 9 and 10 were excluded. Likewise, a three-factor model based on the combination of two factors, now called Self-Awareness Balance, was proposed.

Conclusion:

the data obtained with the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire with Brazilian nurses were valid and reliable.

CPE for leaders: Adapting Clinical Pastoral Education's learning methodology for healthcare managers and directors

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a training program for spiritual care providers, was adapted to meet the leadership development needs of a group of six healthcare managers. A focus group was conducted with the six participants to learn more about the program and its effects. Using thematic analysis, transcripts of the focus group were analyzed and seven themes were identified. Participants reported that the program facilitated trust and honesty, helped them connect to their emotions, and helped them respond to system-wide changes at work; that learning was facilitated by their connections with their peers in the group and with the facilitator; and that senior leaders' support for the program was key. They also reported that the name and course description were initially unclear and they wanted a follow-up program. This paper describes the program, presents these themes, and places CPE for Leaders in the context of other leadership models.

Explaining the effect of authentic and ethical leadership on psychological empowerment of nurses

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explain the effect of authentic and ethical leadership on the psychological empowerment of nurses.

BACKGROUND

Ethics-related leadership styles can play an important role in improving employee performance by influencing job satisfaction. However, no study has investigated ethics-related leadership and its impact on the psychological empowerment of nurses.

METHOD

The present study is a descriptive correlational study with emphasis on structural equations. A random sample of 384 nurses in public hospitals in Tehran responded to three self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS

The authentic leadership variable explains 74.5% of the variance of the psychological empowerment variable. In addition, the variable of ethical leadership explains 87.7% of the variance of psychological empowerment variable.

CONCLUSION

Ethical and authentic leadership is effective on the nurses' psychological empowerment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Ethical and authentic leadership is necessary for managers to psychologically empower nursing staff. Increasing awareness of capabilities of nurses and how decisions and behaviours affect them, balanced information processing, observance of ethics in the workplace, transparency in communication, information and power sharing, all impact justice in the workplace.

African born black nurses' perception of their U.S. work environment: Race matters

BACKGROUND

Healthy work environment is essential to patients' safety, staff recruitment, retention, and organization's financial viability. It is imperative to examine, understand and mitigate any and all factors that may contribute to unhealthy work environment.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to describe how African-born Black nurses felt their race affected their experience of the work environment and whether these experiences contributed to perceptions of unhealthy work environments.

METHOD

Thematic analysis was performed on data obtained from unstructured interviews of 17 African born Black nurses in this qualitative descriptive study.

FINDINGS

Seven themes emerged from the study: disregard for personhood, poor communication, democratic disqualification, lack of recognition, missing authentic leadership, attrition, and finding control.

DISCUSSION

The finding suggests African born Black nurses' experiences are uniquely and qualitatively different from that of their American born counterparts. Creating healthy work environment require authentic nurse leaders who can influence and support others in its achievement.

Effect of authentic leadership on newly qualified nurses: a scoping review

Authentic leadership is a relatively new concept in nursing in which authentic leaders are anchored by their deep sense of self, and know where they stand on important issues, values and beliefs. While there is considerable literature available on authentic nurse leadership, little has been written regarding its effect on newly qualified nurses. Therefore, the author undertook a scoping review of the literature on authentic leadership and newly qualified nurses. A total of 12 articles were found through database searches and included in the review. Thematic analysis of the articles identified two primary themes of 'well-being at work' and 'work environment', and two lesser themes of 'transition from student to nurse' and 'retention'. The scoping review found that authentic leadership has a positive effect on newly qualified nurses and that authentic leaders can develop genuine and trusted relationships, thereby promoting a supportive work environment for newly qualified nurses.

Positive aspects of authentic leadership in nursing work: integrative review

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and analyze the existing scientific production on the positive aspects of authentic leadership in the nurse’s work process. Method: This is an integrative literature review. The databases used were Scientific Electronic Library Online; Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences; and National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Results: In this study, 17 articles were selected for analysis; 1 study (6%) was published in a national journal, and 16 (94%) were international studies. Of the 17 (100%) articles studied, 11 (65%) were developed in Canada. The hospital environment was present in the 17 (100%) articles. Final considerations: Authentic leadership has several positive aspects that significantly influence the nurse’s work process, such as engagement and job satisfaction, retention of new nurses, organizational commitment, among others.

Authentic Leadership and Creativity: Moderated Meditation Model of Resilience and Hope in the Health Sector

Authentic leaders are recognized as self-aware individuals who act according to their values and beliefs in the organization. Most of the studies have acknowledged the positive impact of authentic leaders on followers. However, the characteristics of an authentic leader, such as making decisions according to his/her own belief system, might negatively affect the followers. The current study aims to investigate the relationship of authenthic leadership/leaders (AL) and creativity through the mediating role of resilience. In this study, data were collected from 172 nurses working at public hospitals using a three-wave, time-lagged study design. The findings show that authentic leadership significantly predicts hope among employees. A hopeful individual positively reflects creativity in the workplace and also mediates the relationship between authentic leadership and creativity at workplace. These results report that authentic leadership impacts hope in a positive manner; thereby, increasing the level of creativity of nurses at the workplace. The study also highlights that if a resilient nurse is supervised by an authentic leader, it decreases hope and eventually creativity at work. The paper elaborates theoretical and practical implications for the health care sector along with limitations and direction for future research.

Mastering Your Distinctive Strengths as an Introverted Nurse Leader

This article contrasts the nursing leadership styles of introverts and extraverts and examines what each brings to the nurse leader role. While introverts and extraverts bring unique strengths, it may appear to introverts that extraverts garner the preponderance of attention in meetings and committee work. Strategies for the self-identified introvert nurse leader to successfully lead in an extraversion-centric workplace are described. The article ends with the personal journey of 2 nurse leaders who embraced their introversion traits and learned ways to flourish in health care and academic settings.

Psychometric properties of Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire in a population-based sample of Polish nurses

AIM

The purpose of the study was to adapt and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Polish language version of the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire intended for use among Registered Nurses.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study where the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire was administered to a representative group of 3,299 Polish Registered Nurses was carried out between September and November 2017.

METHODS

Linguistic-cultural adaptation of the ALSAQ was carried out according to the WHO guidelines. The following psychometric properties of the ALSAQ were evaluated: content validity (content validity index), theoretical relevance (exploratory and confirmative factor analysis), unidimensionality of subscales (principal component analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability and criterion validity.

FINDINGS

The content validity analysis revealed a need to reduce the original ALSAQ version from 16-23 items. The factor structure of ALSAQ differed from the original version. A three-factor model was better fitted to the data than a four-factor model. The three distinguished subscales (moral processing, self-awareness, and relational transparency) were characterized by unidimensionality. ALSAQ has a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.84) and test-retest analysis confirmed stability of the measurement for subscales and particular items. Moreover, the ALSAQ-P criterion validity with external variables, being of key importance for shaping the leadership skills (self-efficacy and universal moral foundations) was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Authentic leadership skills in nursing practice are characterized by their individual specificity, which was indicated in the ALSAQ validation. The ALSAQ can be considered a reliable and valid tool for self-assessment of leadership skills in a group of nursing practitioners. The identified standards help measuring strengths and weaknesses of authentic leadership.