Methods of Influence and Leadership in Nursing
Methods to Influence Behavior
We can classify different actions to exert influence based on two variables. The first variable refers to direct or indirect influence, and the second refers to the ethical issue, namely whether that influence benefits an individual, a group, or is detrimental to the goal.
Methods of Influence
- Emulation: Imitating the behavior of other people in our environment is common and one of the most frequent forms of learning. In this sense, the role of the nurse as a reference for the group is key to promoting good clinical practice.
- Advice: Refers to the influence exerted by providing insight, advice, or an explanation. It requires an environment in which the other person or group is willing to receive it. Creating environments of trust is key to exercising such influence. This is an informal way to influence that is normally used in everyday life. Nurses have influence in these environments but not in formal settings. It is important to recognize their contributions and make their contributions visible.
- Persuasion: Persuasion is a suggestion intended to encourage and exert some pressure on the person or group. Provided with complete respect for the autonomy of persons and freedom, we can consider it a legitimate form of influence. However, we must be careful, as overly insistent forms of persuasion can lead to subtle or indirect coercion.
- Participatory Construction: This way to influence a group involves the group itself generating initiatives and proposals. It is the most appropriate way to bring about changes within groups.
- Coercion or Duress: This is the ability to influence a person or group through threats. It is wrong to use but is sometimes common as a warning or possible punishment.
- Deception: This is the most illegitimate influence because it violates the principle of informed consent and, in some cases, violates the legal framework.
Influence
Maria Moliner defines influence as “power exercised by someone on the will of another.” They describe it as “acting consciously about someone or something to make them hold or be a certain way.” Influence also refers to the “capacity to mobilize others to some extent, influencing their behavior either directly or indirectly.”
Power
The word power, which carries a negative interpretation associated with oppression and discrimination, has other interpretations with positive connotations. Power is defined as “the potential to influence” or “the ability (exercised or not) to produce an event.” Power is exercised only if the results are due to such influence; it is related to effectiveness. We consider the exercise of power positive or negative based on its common benefit to an individual or group.
Authority
Someone has authority when their influence comes from their legal status, office, or appointment. Authority is the ability to act given to a person by virtue of their role and position in an organized social structure. Do not confuse authority with authoritarianism.
Relations Between Power and Authority
Power and authority are related in many ways. In this context, we will use leadership to refer to the ability to influence and authority to refer to the ability to influence through commands. These two concepts are not contrary or contradictory. It is possible that someone in control has no power, and conversely, a leader has leadership skills that lead to their decisions being endorsed by the group.
Differences Between Control and Leadership (Díaz Carrera, 1994):
The Controller:
- Is oriented to rules.
- Focuses exclusively on routines.
- Worries about “know-how.”
- Leads the group.
- Acts as a problem solver.
- Emphasizes material resources.
The Person with Leadership Skills:
- Is directed by a vision.
- Looks for new solutions.
- Cares about “know-why.”
- Shows the group the way.
- Seeks new challenges from a vision of continuous improvement.
- Emphasizes human relations.
Concept of Leadership
: According to the Dictionary of Language Spanish (1986), leadership is defined as the direction , Headquartered or conduct of a political party, a group social or other community. The Dictionary of Science of Conduct (1956), defined as “qualities of personality and ability to guide and encourage control of other individuals. “Other definitions include:” Leadership is an attempt to interpersonal influence, directed through theprocess of communication To the achievement of one or more goals, “Chiavenato, Idalberto (1993), highlights the following Leadership is interpersonal influence exercised in a situation, directed through the process of human communication to achieve one or several specific objectives.”