8 Leadership Styles in Nursing: Which One Are You?

Everyone approaches leadership roles a little bit differently. Learning about the types of leadership styles in nursing can equip you to navigate conflict, make sound decisions, and improve your unit.

Whether you’re a new graduate finding your voice, a bedside nurse guiding others during a shift, or a nurse manager responsible for entire teams, understanding various leadership approaches can help you determine which style is the most appropriate in a given situation. Plus, you’ll feel more confident and effective in your role.

Let’s explore frameworks for understanding leadership styles in nursing and how you can develop your skills, no matter what role you’re currently in.

8 Different Leadership Styles in Nursing

What does it mean to have a leadership style in nursing? Even if the word manager or supervisor isn’t in your title, you’re setting an example every day by educating patients, supporting families, mentoring colleagues, and modeling evidence-based care. The ways you show up for your team, how you communicate under pressure, and how you cooperate with others are all leadership skills.

Once you learn about the different approaches to leading a team, you’ll likely start to see them being deployed in the wild. You may also find that many of the leadership styles overlap, and some managers will employ a combination of several.

1. Transformative Leadership

Typically found in people who like establishing connections with others.

People who use transformational leadership styles in nursing motivate others through a shared vision. It’s one of the most successful styles of leadership in healthcare because it focuses on building relationships and giving power to team members. Some experts believe that empowering staff through transformational leadership could help improve burnout and nurse staffing issues.

Example: A nurse manager on a med-surg unit notices an uptick in patient falls this quarter. During the unit huddle, she shares this data with the team. Rather than assigning blame, she facilitates an open discussion with collaborative problem-solving. The team leaves the huddle with a renewed sense of urgency to prevent their patients from falling, and plans to brainstorm additional preventative measures.

2. Transactional Leadership

Typically found in people who are good at making deals.

As the name suggests, transactional leadership is based on exchanges — you scratch my back, I scratch yours. Someone using this leadership style might use their institutional power to benefit someone and expect that person to do the same for them. This strategy can be successful in achieving a high-pressure, short-term goal, but over time, putting too much emphasis on transactional leadership may lead to staff turnover.

Example: A nurse supervisor is prepping her telemetry unit for a Joint Commission audit. She assigns specific tasks to different team members — including checking crash carts and ensuring the nursing station is clear of drinks — and offers gift cards to staff who complete their tasks early.

3. Servant Leadership

Typically found in people who focus on uplifting their team.

Servant leaders are often guided by a strong moral code, prioritizing their staff’s needs and promoting their personal growth. A servant leader may feel that their primary responsibility is to support their team. In nursing, servant leaders foster trust and collaboration, encouraging staff to contribute to care improvements while nurturing professional development.

Example: While orienting a new graduate, a staff nurse checks in weekly to ask about how they are feeling on the unit and what can be done to support them. This makes the new nurse feel more welcome and invested in as a member of the unit team.

4. Autocratic Leadership

Typically found in people who prefer to be in control and call the shots.

Someone using an autocratic leadership style makes decisions independently and doesn’t ask for team input. They may use punishment or negative feedback to incentivize behavior. Teams that are led this way have a top-down structure, with a culture that may even be authoritarian. But when used appropriately, autocratic leadership skills are necessary and helpful — in emergency situations, for example, taking decisive action is essential.

Example: When his patient codes, an ICU nurse takes charge. Following Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols, he directs team members to perform compressions, check pulses, administer medications, and document these interventions.

5. Democratic Leadership

Typically found in people who rely on collaboration and feedback to lead a team.

Some scholars call this style the most influential form of leadership in nursing, and it’s one where the leader uses team input to guide decisions. The opposite of an autocratic leader, someone using this approach asks for feedback from staff and involves team members in unit changes. Research shows that this leadership style spurs employee innovation and is positively correlated with job satisfaction.

Example: A nurse manager is hiring a new teammate. During the interview process, he asks three staff members to perform a peer interview. Afterward, he requests feedback from the staff about the new candidate and asks them whether or not they would recommend hiring the candidate.

6. Coaching Leadership

Typically found in trusted mentors who have an attitude that says, “We’re all in this together.”

Coaching is an innovative leadership style based on a mutual commitment to goals. Someone using a coaching style cheers their team on, using shared trust and communication to face challenges. Leaders with this approach may be more resilient, confident, and have better coping strategies — promoting a higher quality of care for patients.

Example: A staff nurse made a non-lethal medication error that resulted in a complication for their patient. The nurse manager arranges a debrief session with the nurse to go over why the error happened and what the team can do to prevent similar errors in the future. Using a nonjudgmental, encouraging approach, the manager reinforces trust with the nurse and encourages them to ask for help in the future.

7. Laissez-Faire Leadership

Typically found in people who prefer to stay on the sidelines and let team members figure things out for themselves.

Laissez-faire refers to a leadership style that avoids interfering, and it’s sometimes also called non-leadership. A nurse manager who only uses this approach may allow toxic unit culture to persist, avoid addressing issues, and step back when their help is needed. But while it’s often considered one of the least effective styles of leadership, laissez-faire strategies may work well when combined with other approaches, such as transformational styles.

Example: A charge nurse is making patient assignments for the incoming shift. Since all of the nurses from yesterday will be returning, and none of the patients are new, she decides to let the staff assign their own patients based on their preferences.

8. Situational Leadership

Typically found in people who let each individual moment dictate the leadership styles employed.

A situational leader adapts to the needs of their team and the circumstances at hand. Depending on what the unit needs, they may use different leadership styles in nursing. If a decision needs to be made quickly, they’re willing to be autocratic. When staff have the competency to lead the charge, a situational leader may take on a laissez-faire approach. This style of leadership requires flexibility, experience, and intuition.

Example: An educator is in charge of onboarding new grads during their residency program. In the first week, they receive clear instructions, close supervision, and step-by-step guidance. As the program progresses, the educator slowly steps back, observing the new grads as they gain skills and confidence. Eventually, the educator trusts them to work independently and come to her with questions.

5 Tips to Become a Better Leader in Your Unit

Not sure where to start when it comes to leadership styles? In nursing, there are opportunities to improve on every shift. No matter what your role, becoming a better nurse leader through everyday interactions and purposeful training can make you a better teammate. Here’s how to get started:

1. Ask for feedback often. Regularly ask your team members what can be improved and how you can support them better.

2. Model the behavior you want to see. Lead by example with professionalism, accountability, and a calm presence, especially when the unit gets hectic.

3. Ask questions. Show curiosity and a willingness to learn by asking your team for their perspectives, ideas, and clinical insights.

4. Be approachable and supportive. Create a safe space where team members feel comfortable coming to you with concerns, mistakes, or personal challenges.

5. Get involved. Don’t lead from the sidelines — pitch in during busy shifts, attend team meetings, and show your presence and commitment to the unit.

Practice Your Leadership Styles in Nursing

Looking for a new opportunity to grow as a nurse? Whether you’re seeking more responsibility, different work hours, a new specialty, or something else, we’re here to help. Start receiving personalized job notifications from IntelyCare to learn about roles that meet your needs.