There are many different types of nursing leadership styles with varying levels of effectiveness depending on the working environment, including: Democratic Transformational Authoritarian (or autocratic) Transactional Laissez-faire ...among several others. There are many unique theories of nursing leadership you’ll want to become familiar with throughout your development as a nurse leader. Understanding the right leadership techniques for you and your colleagues is crucial to keep morale high, ensure lines of communication are clear, maximize productivity and improve patient care.