Managerial Nurses’ Tactics of Influencing Subordinates: A Qualitative Study on the Views of Managers and Subordinates

The aim of the study is to examine the influence tactics used by nurse managers towards their subordinates, the factors that are effective in the selection of these tactics and the results of the tactics used from the perspectives of both nurse managers and subordinate nurses, and to provide a two-way perspective on how nurse managers evaluate the tactics they use and how subordinate nurses perceive these tactics. In the study using qualitative research design, interviews were terminated when data saturation was reached. 40 participants, 20 nurses and 20 managers, were included in the study. The data obtained were analyzed by content analysis method and examined within the framework of three main themes: the influence tactics used by nurse managers, the factors affecting the selection of influence tactics and the results of the influence tactics used. The findings showed that nurse managers used various influence tactics such as information, motivation by suggestion, personal charm, consultation, cooperation, providing legal basis, pressure, rational persuasion, exchange and coalition. The choice of tactics is determined by factors such as personal characteristics of the employee, empathy, positive communication of the manager, employee's reaction to the task, experience, emotional state and the nature of the job.