Leadership : psychological influences and applications

Leadership in professional situations requires a foundation of knowledge and skills that is influenced by a diverse range of factors. These factors include the personalities of leaders, their psychological characteristics and makeup, and the situation or context in which leadership and managerial style is manifest. This chapter examines, in some detail, a range of these characteristics and their influence. It also briefly explores the question of differing styles of leadership according to gender. Questions are raised about gender polarisation in the nursing workplace, and the perceived male advantage men in nursing have in attaining leadership positions. Feminine and masculine leadership traits and the potential effects of feminising leadership are discussed. Emotional factors are positioned as crucial to workplace relationships and performance. Readers will be introduced to the concept of emotional intelligence, and how emotions can (and do) impact on the workplace. Emotionality in organizations will be discussed, with a particular focus on identifying and understanding work-based emotional abuse. The positive potential for growth, productivity and job satisfaction that can be achieved through understanding and appropriately responding to emotional issues in the workplace will be described.