Leadership

Discuss the leader's perspective on leadership connecting with course concepts, including citations. Reflect on what you learned, connecting with course concepts. I recommend a paragraph summarizing your leader's perspective and reflecting on their responses, connecting with course concepts. For example, how does what your leader shared compare or contrast with what you learned in class?

Leadership is a crucial aspect of any successful organization. It involves influencing and motivating others to achieve a common goal. Much research has been conducted to understand the key leadership styles and associated competencies. It is important to note that only some fit neatly into a particular style, as leaders often adjust their approach based on the situation. However, many individuals adhere to their preferred leadership style based on personal beliefs. With so many leadership styles to choose from, it is essential to understand the nuances of each to determine which one is most effective in each situation.

During my research on Aveanna, I had the opportunity to observe her leadership style. I asked her a leadership question based on her experience in home healthcare. This field involves working with various medical professionals, such as primary care physicians, therapists, school support staff, and family members. Can you provide an example of a scenario where you had to coordinate the efforts of this diverse team to provide excellent care for a patient? In addition, how did you handle differences in opinion or approach within the team to ensure the highest quality of care?

"That's a great question. Our collaboration for in-home care involves constant communication with families. We meet with them about once a month and have frequent phone calls. We also communicate with the nurses who work in the home regularly, and we need to get medical orders signed every 60 days, so we are often in touch with the doctor's office.

If there are any new orders, we speak with the doctor's office to get clarifications. However, to address the main part of your question, when we have a client who experiences a significant change, such as requiring more care or assistance due to a trach or recovering from one, we call for a care team meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page.

As clinical managers, we attend IEP meetings at the school to understand the client's school environment and therapists. We believe care coordination is essential to avoid having different sides of the team working against each other."

My second question to Virginia was about managing a team of nurses and aides. This role requires not only clinical expertise but also the ability to inspire and engage the staff. Can you share an instance when you faced resistance or low morale within your team? How did you handle the situation to promote acceptance and motivation among your employees and ensure a positive and collaborative work environment?

She mentioned that there was one incident that stood out to her, which was not just limited to her team but also happened throughout the company and the industry. In the state of Pennsylvania, electronic visit verification has become a law, which means that nurses had to shift from writing their notes on a paper form to using a tablet. While some nurses and aides were able to transition easily, there were a few dozen nurses who struggled with it and were resistant to change. They believed that their documentation had worked just fine all this time and didn't see the need to switch to a tablet.

To help these nurses, they provided group training, online training, and one-on-one training sessions. They also allowed them to practice on the tablet before the deadline. In some cases, the nurse in charge even called the nurses personally to help them with the transition. They were given feedback on their progress, and eventually, the majority of the nurses were able to switch to the electronic visit system.

However, there were still a couple of nurses who refused to comply, and they had to be threatened with the possibility of losing their job. Eventually, everyone was able to make the transition to electronic visits.

Based on the answers I received from Virginia, it seems that she leans towards Collaborative and Transformational leadership styles. These leaders emphasize alliances, partnerships, and inspire workers with a shared vision of the future, bringing new life to the organization through change. Virginia's efforts to embrace change in her company and willingness to assist her staff indicate that she possesses the patience and emotional intelligence required to excel in these styles of leadership. It's important to recognize that emotional intelligence plays a significant role in a leader's effectiveness.