Key Points
n Clinical leaders are recognized as visible, highly skilled
or expert clinical nurses. There actions and principles
are based on a foundation of care and their values and
beliefs are on show.
n The assumption that the clinical leader in a ward or unit
is always the most senior nurse, nurse manager or ward
sister, is not evident in this research.
n Clinical leaders often did not recognize themselves
as such, are from a wide spectrum of grades and are
present in reasonable numbers.
n Congruent leadership is proposed as the most
appropriate leadership theory to support an
understanding of clinical leadership.
n Congruent leaders are followed because there is a match
between the leader’s values or beliefs, and their actions.