NURS 321: Leadership Module 8.04
Why appoint a leader as a participant?
In order to minimize the impact of leader/group style mismatch, the manager should be aware of the needs of the group. Someone with an appropriate leadership style should be appointed as a participant. This person should be aware of the group's needs and be vocal when necessary. Using a decision-making model may be an appropriate step after utilization of the leader to facilitate positive participation in the group. Gender role does not play a part in minimizing the impact of leader/ group style mismatch. Having more extroverts than introverts can be a negative factor in a meeting as the extroverts can dominate.
An organization's culture can affect the decision-making process.
TRUE; An organization's culture influences decisions made by managers/leaders because many times decisions must reflect the organization's mission and philosophy.
A nurse manager schedules a meeting with the staff to discuss policy changes. What does the manager hope to achieve by having some upper left-brain dominant staff members lend their input?
Logical and rational analysis
Effective Group Decision-Making involves what?
1. Clear objective and expectations 2. Leader/group style match 3. Facilitation* 4. Gender Role 5. Awareness of Values & personal preference 6. Minimize impact of Life Experience 7. Minimize impact of Thinking Style and Personality *to get to an agreed-upon conclusion
Which of the following will derail a group decision-making process?
A leader who does not establish clear objectives and expectations for the group.
When a manager fails to establish a clear objective and expectations for the group, chaos will occur and the decision will be stalled.
Allowing to the group to participate and be able to freely voice opinions, and to encourage respect of various values in team members are positive ways to keep the group moving. Making resources available prior to the meeting will allow the staff to make informed decisions.
A nurse manager is holding a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue with the staff. A previous meeting was held regarding the same issue and it ended in a negative manner. What action can the manager take in order to minimize the impact of leader/group style mismatch?
Appoint a leader as a participant.
Collision of Values
Belief systems may limit the options you are willing to support. Similarly, background, or preferences, may limit the degree of risk in terms of time, money, or possibility of failure you are willing to take on. Values often collide with one another and it's best to minimize the impact of values and personal preference by being aware of what your values and preferences are, and whether they are playing a part in limiting a decision that could serve the greater good.
Effective decision making is a learned behavior.
TRUE; Effective decision making includes the ability to critically think through any given situation; the thinking process that influences decision making is one that is developed over time.
A nurse manager is mentoring a new facilitator. What decision-making models can the manager suggest to the facilitator that will help minimize the impact of an unskilled facilitator? (Select all that apply.)
Decision grid, Decision tree, Consequence table, Payoff table
The director of a busy outpatient department is meeting with staff to ask input and make decisions about the feasibility of a freestanding unit. What issue by the nurse manager can stop the entire process if not rectified?
Keeping the objective and expectations for the group undefined.
Logical and rational analysis aka "left-brain oriented"
Some people tend to be more 'left-brain oriented' and prefer progressing in a logical, linear manner. Being analytical is a major characteristic of left-brain thinkers. Left-brain users are great at designing data, gathering processes, and analyzing the data. Creativity, intuitive, and holistic are characteristics of right-brain-dominant people.
The nurse manager can lessen the impact of an unskilled facilitator by using a decision-making model like a decision grid, decision tree, consequence table, payoff table, or SWOT analysis tool.
The systemized nature and predictability of using a model will help guide the discussion to a conclusion. As a leader, working with a skilled facilitator first and gradually moving into a facilitation role will help you learn the skills first-hand and ease into the role with confidence. The logic model would not be appropriate in this situation since it is a model that is used to present schematics or pictures of how a program should operate.
A nurse manager is having a difficult time in making a decision about reprimanding a staff nurse who has exceeded the absentee policy. Why would the manager's values cause personal conflict in making this decision?
Values often collide with one another
It is essential for a group leader to establish clear objectives and expectations before proceeding in a group decision making process
When the objective and expectations are unclear, the process cannot advance. A leader's ability to motivate a group of diverse persons will help them to decrease individual subjectivity and increase objectivity in decision making. The level of leadership experience does not always impact a leader's ability to manage a group. The leader who values all members insights and encourages their participation will move the group through the decision making process more effectively and with equity between group members.
