The unit manager of a 32-bed medical-surgical unit allows the staff nurses to do self-governance for scheduling, client care assignments, and committee work. The manager would be considered which type of leader?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Laissez-faire. This style of leadership involves minimal interference from the manager, allowing staff to make decisions independently. In this scenario, the unit manager empowers staff nurses to self-govern, indicating a hands-off approach. This promotes autonomy, creativity, and accountability among the staff.
A: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making by the manager without input from staff, which does not align with the scenario.
B: Democratic leadership involves collaboration and input from team members in decision-making, which is not fully demonstrated in the scenario.
C: Bureaucratic leadership focuses on following established procedures and rules, which is not the case in the scenario where staff nurses have autonomy in decision-making.
In summary, the manager's approach of allowing staff nurses to govern themselves aligns with a laissez-faire leadership style, promoting independence and responsibility among the team.