NHS FPX 5004 Assessment 1 Leadership and Group Collaboration

NHS FPX 5004 Assessment 1 Leadership and Group Collaboration

As a leader, I possess a number of professional and personal qualities to successfully lead the needed project team. Not unlike MLK, I possess a great deal of love and compassion for the well-being of others. Whether in my professional and personal life, I’m pained by inequity derived from a fundamental disregard or marginalization of others. In respect to the task at hand, the Haitian community is one of diversity within itself as well as in comparison to the larger diaspora found in the United States. The historical significance of the founding of Haiti, international relationships, resource allocation, governance and immigration policy has immensely impacted the typical experience of our Haitian residents. We must first and foremost engage ourselves in both learning this history and aligning ourselves with those capable and desiring to understand. 

Another critical requirement of a successful project leader will be to identify someone who can successfully build collaborations. As history teaches, MLK was able to build very powerful collaborations even among groups diametrically opposed politically, socially, religiously, demographically, financially and historically. In my professional capacity as a healthcare leader, I too effectively utilize collaboration to ensure successful healthcare outcomes. To do so, there are matters of personnel, insurance, diagnosis, emotional and legal considerations which must all be managed and appropriately adjudicated.

I’ve found that establishing and maintaining effective collaboration is critical to project leadership. Whether identifying project stakeholders, balancing technical and sociocultural needs, appropriately identifying routine operations from those which should be used within a project plan, or successfully identifying and leading throughout all project stages, the importance of effective leadership can’t be underestimated.

The composition of the interdisciplinary group of professionals will be one of the first focuses of my leadership of this project. My understanding is that the projected number of team members will be 4-6 persons. After assuring that we are utilizing an effective means of identifying and ultimately selecting these persons, I would commence with initial communications to those selected so as to schedule our first meeting.

Once the team is together, I would take the time to formally introduce myself while also providing a brief yet revealing insight into myself both as a person and a leader. As a collaborative leader, I value having a range of ideas, opinions and viewpoints expressed within a professional manner. While all viewpoints are valued and likely appropriate for our desired outcomes, it’s also imperative that I maintain the appropriate level of authority in making final decisions while also managing overall execution. 

NHS FPX 5004 Assessment 1 Leadership and Group Collaboration KP

Some may resent aspects of their viewpoints not being included within our final decisions and thus a potential for conflict exists. However, it’s incumbent upon me as a leader to demonstrate courage and align varying viewpoints with our project goals. Making sure that the team has input in establishing the actual project goals and designating stakeholders to assure timely execution will further help to avoid project diminishing conflicts. To ensure effective collaboration, my approach is to use all available resources to properly lead and encourage effective communication within the team. 

Our communication will take place within a designated project management tool. As an example, I’ve utilized Microsoft Project and found that it’s relatively easy to use and consists of powerful tools to document, communicate, measure, analyze and track resource expenditures at all phases of the project cycle. Those team members lacking previous experience will find the tool to be easy to learn and inclusive of “help” functions that can address most operational questions. As a “one-stop” depository, information is available at any time to all team members.

The practices of accountability, decision making, and delegation are also easily managed with Microsoft Project. From “decision trees” to “accountable party”, each owner of a designated task and/or outcome is identified. A multitude of software operations (reminders, alerts, direct communication, etc) can be made operational to ensure each team member is aware of their respective duties. Interestingly, team members can also see the impact of their respective actions (or lack thereof) as it relates to the larger project goals which serves as a form of accountability. I’m ultimately responsible for assuring that deliverables are satisfied. When necessary, i