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Our group agrees that Authentic leadership is an amazing and a promising concept of what a leader is. Amazing in the sense that, number one, a theory from a sociologist point of view was applied to clinical practice, number two, the model was made inductively by looking at the previous models, then coming up with a kind of leadership that seems both familiar yet fresh. Promising because it revolutionizes our concept of a leader, without skipping the important details of what makes up a leader. The whole model complemented other leadership theories. The model also emphasizes on the moral development of the leader, which we believe is one of the pivotal concepts of the theory. And lastly, this mode by Avolio, et. al., talked about the development of an authentic leader, which makes it somehow, to some extent, "more real".
However, like any other theories, it is sad to say that it is quite unrealistic because it requires the person to be almost perfect, or if not, perfect. Achieving the essential components prescribed by the theory or reaching its state would be a difficult process if it does happen at all. Another argument raised in our group was this model may not be applicable to some situations and cited Deci and Ryan (2002) who posited that other people cannot gauge someone's understanding and determination of himself. He further argues (and cited Cooper,et.al, 2005) that having a leadership role may require someone to be flexible to his followers, thus, having an authentic behavior may not apply in some cases because acting with one's values and needs may be detrimental to the organization's motives and the followers perspective.
Another input was that, what if, authentic leadership will be applied by nurses to their patients (since the model generally deals with nurses)? Arguing that, while the ALT when applied to nurses in the hospitals yielded to better working environment and emotions towards their job, then maybe if applied to patients it can also have good outcomes such as increased compliance of the patient or more willingness to cooperate on the care plans. The patients, then, will be the one triggered by their nurses to focus their self-awareness through the process of identification.
An interesting question was posted by our groupmate, asking, can leadership be taught? This is one thing to be looked into, because, if the answer is no, then what's the point of all these prescriptions? Is one born a leader? Is it in the genes of a person that inclines him to be charismatic, influential, etc? Or is it developed through time, or as a person matures and lives through life?
As nurses of our generation, we strongly believe that reforms, not only in government but also in nursing organizations need transformation, or, for this matter, "authentication". We all yearn for a leader who can truly make a change, may it be in our country or profession. But take a second and ask yourself, is that really what we need? We want change, we want reforms, but we want others to do it for us. We want our "leaders" to do it for us. But is this really what the authentic leadership model is telling us? We believe that yes, leadership models, and authentic leadership for this matter, envisions a certain type of leader, but it concerns all citizens of the world. It doesn't mean that you're not a leader, you can't be authentic. Our group believes that, everyone can be a leader.
We came to conclude that, these theories may be very idealistic, very perfect, and becoming an authentic leader is almost not possible. But if we look at it in another way, these models, though how unrealistic they may seem, guide us in our quest to be better, not necessarily perfect. As nurses we have to be leaders, and that is not an option. The authentic leadership model guides us nurses to be a better nurse to our patients, how to lead by example, and how to exemplify, the best way we can what an authentic leader is, and what those nurse theorists envisioned a nurse to be.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1) Do you agree that the model is not applicable in all situations and in all persons?
2)Do you agree with the group that this model can be applied by nurses to their patients?
3) Do you think leadership can be taught?
3) As a nurse, do you think you have what it takes to be an authentic leader? Are you willing to step up to the challenge?
4) What can you do to improve the lot of nurses and nursing organizations in the Philippines?
However, like any other theories, it is sad to say that it is quite unrealistic because it requires the person to be almost perfect, or if not, perfect. Achieving the essential components prescribed by the theory or reaching its state would be a difficult process if it does happen at all. Another argument raised in our group was this model may not be applicable to some situations and cited Deci and Ryan (2002) who posited that other people cannot gauge someone's understanding and determination of himself. He further argues (and cited Cooper,et.al, 2005) that having a leadership role may require someone to be flexible to his followers, thus, having an authentic behavior may not apply in some cases because acting with one's values and needs may be detrimental to the organization's motives and the followers perspective.
Another input was that, what if, authentic leadership will be applied by nurses to their patients (since the model generally deals with nurses)? Arguing that, while the ALT when applied to nurses in the hospitals yielded to better working environment and emotions towards their job, then maybe if applied to patients it can also have good outcomes such as increased compliance of the patient or more willingness to cooperate on the care plans. The patients, then, will be the one triggered by their nurses to focus their self-awareness through the process of identification.
An interesting question was posted by our groupmate, asking, can leadership be taught? This is one thing to be looked into, because, if the answer is no, then what's the point of all these prescriptions? Is one born a leader? Is it in the genes of a person that inclines him to be charismatic, influential, etc? Or is it developed through time, or as a person matures and lives through life?
As nurses of our generation, we strongly believe that reforms, not only in government but also in nursing organizations need transformation, or, for this matter, "authentication". We all yearn for a leader who can truly make a change, may it be in our country or profession. But take a second and ask yourself, is that really what we need? We want change, we want reforms, but we want others to do it for us. We want our "leaders" to do it for us. But is this really what the authentic leadership model is telling us? We believe that yes, leadership models, and authentic leadership for this matter, envisions a certain type of leader, but it concerns all citizens of the world. It doesn't mean that you're not a leader, you can't be authentic. Our group believes that, everyone can be a leader.
We came to conclude that, these theories may be very idealistic, very perfect, and becoming an authentic leader is almost not possible. But if we look at it in another way, these models, though how unrealistic they may seem, guide us in our quest to be better, not necessarily perfect. As nurses we have to be leaders, and that is not an option. The authentic leadership model guides us nurses to be a better nurse to our patients, how to lead by example, and how to exemplify, the best way we can what an authentic leader is, and what those nurse theorists envisioned a nurse to be.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1) Do you agree that the model is not applicable in all situations and in all persons?
2)Do you agree with the group that this model can be applied by nurses to their patients?
3) Do you think leadership can be taught?
3) As a nurse, do you think you have what it takes to be an authentic leader? Are you willing to step up to the challenge?
4) What can you do to improve the lot of nurses and nursing organizations in the Philippines?
