Leadership skills and attributes of women and nurse executives: challenges for the 21st century

Nurs Adm Q. 2005 Apr-Jun;29(2):146-53. doi: 10.1097/00006216-200504000-00009.

Abstract

This study used a descriptive comparative design in which the skills/attributes identified by women leaders were compared to the skills/attributes identified by the nurse executives (NEs). For the women leaders and NEs, 6 factors were identified through principal components analysis: (1) personal integrity, (2) strategic vision/action orientation, (3) team building/communication skills, (4) management and technical competencies, (5) people skills (eg, empowering others, networking, valuing diversity, working collaboratively), and (6) personal survival skills/attributes (eg, political sensitivity, self-direction, self-reliance, courage, and candor). The items that received the highest level of agreement regarding importance for both groups were contained in the personal integrity factor, which included ethical standards, trustworthiness, and credibility. These factors are discussed and implications for leadership development and nursing administration graduate programs are identified.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administrative Personnel / psychology*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Curriculum / standards
  • Delphi Technique
  • Education, Nursing, Graduate / standards
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Leadership*
  • Needs Assessment
  • Nurse Administrators* / education
  • Nurse Administrators* / organization & administration
  • Nurse Administrators* / psychology
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing, Supervisory / standards
  • Personnel Management / standards
  • Professional Competence / standards*
  • Texas
  • Women, Working / psychology*