Leadership styles linked to healthy work environments

Transformational leadership and authentic nursing leadership styles predicted healthy work environments for both clinical nurses and leaders, a study found. Published in the April issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, the cross-sectional study of 3,145 clinical nurses and leaders at DAISY organizations conducted between January and March 2024 is the first study conducted post-pandemic to link relational leadership frameworks with healthy work environments. Lead author and AONL Board member Rosanne Raso, DNP, RN, and her co-authors found relational leadership styles, such as transformational and authentic styles, predicted 50% of clinical nurses’ perceptions of healthy work environments. Organizational culture, demographic considerations or job satisfaction could predict the remaining 50% of nurses’ perceptions of healthy work environments, the authors speculate. Relational leadership entails fostering meaningful relationships, serving as role models, empowering others and keeping communication open.