Nurse vs. Non-Nurse Leader: Nightingale and Clinton Compared

Introduction

Leadership does not depend on delegated authority. Rather, a leader holds a form of power that comes informally from the people they lead. Leaders do the right thing, while managers do things right — hence the distinction between the two terms (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Leadership, therefore, entails being an initiator and an example to others: empowering, motivating, and influencing them to act in line with their responsibilities. Leadership is, in this sense, a calling — a service to those being led.

The Contemporary Leader: Bill Clinton

Nursing as a profession requires leaders who can initiate decision-making and advance the quality of care within the working environment (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Holistic nursing focuses on the wholesome integration of the mind, body, and spirit of a person in the healing process, in relation to their environment. This philosophy dictates that an effective nurse must also possess strong leadership qualities.

A leader needs to have personal traits that identify them uniquely. Over the centuries, leaders have come and gone, demonstrating various forms of leadership and developing distinct styles. In its most basic form, leadership is about influence — it occurs within a group context, as one cannot lead in isolation. From a personality perspective, leadership is based on the ability to inspire others to accomplish tasks through special traits and characteristics the leader possesses (Post, 2005). From a behavioral perspective, a leader may be directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented, depending on the approach they choose.

Leadership Style and Effectiveness: Bill Clinton

Among the world's most famous and influential leaders is Bill Clinton. Born without a father — who died while his mother was pregnant — Clinton was raised by his mother, Virginia Dell Cassidy, who was a nurse. He attended school like any other young person of his time and pursued a career in law (Post, 2005). He entered politics at the age of 32, becoming the governor of Arkansas and the youngest person to hold that office at the time. Twelve years later, Clinton sought the presidency and won 43% of the popular vote in his first campaign. At his inauguration, he was 46 years old — the third youngest president in United States history and the second Democratic president to serve two full terms since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 2004, Clinton received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Spoken Word Album for My Life. During his tenure, the United States experienced some of the most prosperous economic conditions in its history.

On the surface, Bill Clinton's early life does not exhibit the hallmarks of an extraordinary person. There is nothing immediately distinctive about his upbringing — he grew up, attended school, and built a successful career much like many of his peers. However, a closer examination of his achievements reveals the qualities that made him exceptional (Post, 2005). The first quality of leadership evident in his story is the ability to influence and induce change in those he leads (Parakala, 2012). Without a team to help him accomplish his visions, Clinton could not have achieved what he did. The question is how he managed to build and sustain that team.

The answer is found, in part, in his 2004 Grammy nomination: spoken word carries enormous power and influence, and this is Clinton's greatest leadership tool (Post, 2005). Clinton is a fluent and compelling speaker (Parakala, 2012). For instance, at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, he spoke with such emphatic and inspiring words that those in attendance — including President Obama — were moved to think seriously about global challenges and to commit with passion to addressing them.

Florence Nightingale as a Nursing Leader

Among Clinton's other qualities is his ability to connect with people on a personal level. When he speaks with someone, he devotes his full attention to that individual, making each person feel as though they are the only one in the exchange. He uses simple yet insightful language, leaving a lasting impact on those who hear him — a quality widely described as charisma (Parakala, 2012). He demonstrates a genuine interest in people without prejudice, and he is able to engage with individuals at any level, building meaningful conversations and, with them, trust. Clinton is also open-minded and trustworthy, qualities that have led him to chair and facilitate sessions involving world leaders. His credible leadership has enabled him to establish respected organizations and networks of global leaders. Finally, he leads with optimism, making difficult situations appear manageable and inspiring others to see opportunity for change. Bill Clinton exemplifies leadership rooted in personal attributes: passion, the ability to connect, vision, charisma, effective communication, and optimism (Parakala, 2012).

A nurse leader presents the vision, skills, and tools that nurses need (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Because nurses work with many patients, an effective nurse must possess qualities that foster genuine connection. These include strong communication skills, emotional stability, and the capacity for empathy. Among history's most influential nurses is Florence Nightingale. Born in Italy in 1820, she came of age during the early years of modern nursing (Nightingale & McDonald, 2009). During the Crimean War, Nightingale and a team of nurses worked in a British-based hospital, dramatically improving sanitary conditions and reducing the facility's death rate by two-thirds. Her writings in the field of health sparked the development of worldwide healthcare reforms. She also established St. Thomas' Hospital in 1860 and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses. Her mother described her as strong-willed, a character trait she demonstrated throughout her life and career.