A self-reflection on one’s leadership style and qualities within the healthcare profession forms the basis of a personal leadership portrait in healthcare. Constructed from individual experiences, values, and beliefs, this image serves as a guide for personal and professional development. Various leadership styles, such as transactional, transformational, servant, charismatic, contingency, and trait, differentiate leaders. Through self-evaluation, a transformational leadership style is identified, aimed at motivating and inspiring collaboration within a team. This discussion delves into essential components like diversity, inclusion, communication, collaboration, and professionalism for effective leadership.

Personal Approach to Leadership

Effective leadership requires a combination of leadership traits, strategic and technical awareness, and emotional intelligence. In the ever-changing healthcare industry, leaders must adapt and implement strategies for the benefit of both the organization and the team. Transformational leadership aligns with ethical leadership, emphasizing encouragement and motivation to achieve common goals. In my role as a clinical and lab instructor, transformational leadership is pivotal in fostering positive behavior change and motivating students for professional education.

Change is inevitable, and leaders must incorporate it while considering others’ feelings. Emotional intelligence is crucial for healthcare leadership, involving effective emotion management, team communication, positive patient relationships, and navigating interpersonal dynamics. The essential emotional intelligence characteristics—self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, empathy, and social skill—are critical for successful leadership. As a leader, thoughtful consideration before reacting is crucial, particularly in high-pressure environments.

Interprofessional Communication, Collaboration, and Change Management

Effective healthcare leadership involves building interprofessional relationships, engaging the community, and managing change to enhance patient outcomes and organizational success. Transformational leaders collaborate and communicate with diverse healthcare members to achieve common goals. Best practices, including fostering respect, open communication, and providing professional development opportunities, contribute to effective change management. However, communication strategies may vary between leading a group of students and managing a trauma scene.

Ethical Leadership in Professional Practice

Principles of ethical leadership play a vital role in guiding professional practice, emphasizing patient well-being, autonomy, fairness, and justice. Ethical leaders act as moral role models, upholding values such as honesty, fairness, integrity, and respect. Ethical conduct forms the foundation of transformational leadership, particularly in bringing about positive changes with respect and dignity. Nursing leaders have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and model them for others.

Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Leadership

Diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership involve valuing differences, ensuring everyone feels included and respected, and addressing health equity. As a leader, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is vital for better healthcare quality and service. Best practices include ongoing cultural competency training, fostering inclusivity through surveys, involving patients and the community in decision-making, and actively addressing diversity and inclusion issues.

Scholar-Practitioner in Healthcare

A scholar-practitioner in healthcare combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, contributing to the field through research, professional practice, and thought leadership. Critical thinking is crucial for evaluating complex information and making informed decisions. Scholar-practitioners in healthcare influence policy, mentor future leaders, expand knowledge through research, and improve healthcare quality and safety.

Conclusion

Effective leadership involves creating an environment that encourages open communication, motivates positive behavior, and upholds moral and ethical conduct. A transformational leader embraces diversity and inclusion, acts as a scholar-practitioner, and interprets research and theory for the benefit of both patients and the organization.

References

Debesay, J., Arora, S., & Fougner, M. (2022). Organizational culture and ethnic diversity in nursing homes: A qualitative study of healthcare workers’ and ward nurses’ experiences. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1).