LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF HEAD NURSES AT MANSOURA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, hospitals are operating in a turbulent environment where organizations and institutions are searching for measures that will allow them to improve their performance and competitiveness. The achievement and stability of an organization depends on the ability of conflict recognition and the competency of leaders in managing conflict at workplaces Aim: Investigate relationship between leadership styles and conflict management strategies of head nurses at Mansoura University Hospital. Design: descriptive design. Setting: Mansoura University hospital. Subjects and methods: The total study sample composed of 90 head nurses. Data was collected by using Multi factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory -II (Rahim, 2010, 1983) .Results: revealed that there was statistically significant correlation between integrating, obliging and compromising conflict strategies practice with three leadership styles (P<0.05).There was diversity of using three leadership styles among head nurses sample based on different situations. The highest degree of opinion score related to practice of transformational leadership followed by laissez faire .The integrating strategy has the highly degree of practice followed by obliging. Recommendation: Encourage open discussion and effective communication policy, implementing educational program on conflict management strategies and leadership styles. Periodically check up for staff needs and problems and conduct an organizational conflict assessment. Good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the nursing team members in order to improve relations and manage conflict successfully. Promote critical thinking and the scientific method to solve problems by providing opportunities for staff nurses to express their opinion and participation in the development of new ideas and non-traditional solutions to improve performance.