The Leader-Member Exchange theory is established in a way that focuses on group dynamic rather than individual qualities or traits identified to the leader or members separately. The idea of effective group communication is vital in a number of different leader-member situations. Especially when the feedback from the members of the group is essential to the success of the entire organization. An example of this is in the doctor-nurse relationship. “Teamwork in hospital settings is imperative, the physician can be thought of as being the leader or supervisor of patient care, and the nurse can be thought of as being one of the members or employees providing care.” (Seago, 2008) When we think of leader-member exchange in a way that exemplifies the importance of effective communication within a group it is clear that the importance of correspondence between group members is imperative to an efficient work environment.
Leader-member exchange contributes to efficiency in aspects that pertain to the inter-working of communication within the group environment. It is crucial in leader-member exchange to recognize communication within the group. The realization that the leader and the group members are in a communicative relationship is what gives the leader-member exchange momentum as an effective leadership theory. “This recognition contributes to aspects of citizenship behavior and improves the effectiveness of the organization by the high degree of work group performance in terms of quantity and quality of work.” (Truckenbrodt, 2000)
The importance of leader-member exchange theory lies in the ideas of organizational effectiveness. “At its most basic ideal employees who have better relationships with their leaders are promoted, supported, and liked. In turn, leaders who have good relationships with their employees have employees who stay in the organization and work hard for it. (Penn State, 2015) A rapport that is optimal for both leader and group members is what will allow the group relationship to flow in a progressive direction.
When we think of the leader-member exchange as an effective business tool as well as a leadership theory it becomes a significant aspect in the success of an organizational model. “Therefore it can be considered important for organizations to initiate sound [leader-member] developmental programs in order to attain business success.” (Truckenbrodt, 2000) While recognizing group communication as an integral part of business development in regard to the ideals of leader-member exchange within group dynamic. Ideas such as, “leader development of high-quality exchanges with all of their followers rather than just a few. Attempting to make every follower feel as if he or she is a part of the in-group and, by so doing, avoiding the inequities and negative implications of being in an out-group.” (Northouse, 2013)
It will be hard pressed to discount the importance of communication within a group. “What leader-member exchange does is exemplify how the quality of leader–member exchanges relate to positive outcomes for leaders, followers, groups, and the organization in general.” (Northouse, 2013) The positive outcomes of effective group management and leadership can be viewed as tangible results of effective communication.
Works Cited
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Penn State University Course Creator.(2015). Lesson 8: Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX).
Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa15/psych485/001/content/08_lesson/01_page.html
Seago, Jean. (2008) Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. NCBI Bookshelf . Retrieved From, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2679/?report=printable
Truckenbrodt, Yolanda. (2000) The Relationship Between Leader-Member Exchange and Commitment and Organiational Citizenship Behavior. Acquisition Review Quarterly. Retrieved From, http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.169.8630&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Your example is such a great example of the leader-member exchange. I think it is super important for doctors to have open communication with nurse and vice versa. If the communication is not honest, open, and able to be understood then this is when accidents happen. As Northouse (2015) discusses, that this theory has leadership that occurs when the communication of leaders and followers is characterized by mutual trust, respect, and commitment. With your example of doctors and nurses, that trust, respect, and commitment is essential. Can you imagine if there wasn’t that commitment, malpractice would be huge in that hospital setting.
Furthermore, I think that the LMX theory should be looked at through the doctor patient relationship. Northouse (2015) states that the LMX theory directs leaders to assess their leadership form a relationship perspective. If doctors have good bed-side manner then they are less likely to suffer from a lawsuit even if they do make a mistake. When patients feel a lack of respect, it increases the likelihood of an avoidable adverse outcome (Crane, 2013). Therefore, doctors should work on their relationships with nurses as well as their patients.
Crane, M. (2013). Medscape. In Patients Who Won’t Sue Their Doctors — Even When They Could. Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/814876.
Northouse, P.G. (2016), Leadership: Theory and practice. (7th ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.