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DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP STYLES

Leadership in decision making and healthcare

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Executive Summary

The topic of the report is to analyse different leadership styles in healthcare. This report contains the
importance of leadership styles in healthcare, analyse of the different leadership styles. Leadership
style plays a very important role in an organisation at different levels. In healthcare leadership style
is very important to take effective decisions quickly and to solve complex problems. There are
various kinds of leadership style that an organisation can follow based on their decision-making
process and the time they have to take decision. Based on employee involvement, different styles
are used. But it is very important to involve employee in decision-making process so that he can be
motivated and work with more efficiency because he will feel valuable if he is involving in decision
making. But in healthcare, in emergency situation decision-taking process is fast so different kinds
of leadership style needs to be adopted based on different levels. Transformational leadership style
is most preferred in healthcare as it makes employees feel valuable.
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Table of Contents
1) Introduction............................................................................................................................................3
2) Importance of leadership style in healthcare........................................................................................3
3) Different Styles of leadership with respect to healthcare....................................................................3
Transactional Leadership..............................................................................................................................3
Charismatic Leadership Style........................................................................................................................4
Laissez-Faire Leadership...............................................................................................................................5
Autocratic Leadership Style..........................................................................................................................5
Democratic Leadership style........................................................................................................................6
4) Advantages and disadvantages of the leadership styles in Healthcare and the Decision
Significance and Effectiveness.......................................................................................................................6
5) Transformational Leadership Style......................................................................................................7
6) Leadership in healthcare that fits best in most situations...................................................................8
7) Best style for building strong leadership in healthcare........................................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................................10
References.....................................................................................................................................................11
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1) Introduction

The topic of the report is to analyse different leadership styles in healthcare. This report contains the
importance of leadership styles in healthcare, analyse of the different leadership styles. Leadership
style plays a very important role in an organisation at different levels. In healthcare leadership style
is very important to take effective decisions quickly and to solve complex problems (Hargett,2017).
Leadership in healthcare have a direct impact on the patient as it determines the patient care quality,
employee turnover and how effectively company adapt itself according to industry changes
(Samarakoon,2019).

2) Importance of leadership style in healthcare

All the stakeholders in healthcare including administrations, doctors can choose from a variety of
different leadership styles that contain all the elements that make employees feel motivated and
make them feel valuable (Samarakoon,2019). It is very important to follow a good leadership styles
that fulfil needs of all healthcare stakeholders because poor style of leadership can result in poor
patient care outcomes and high employee turnover (Hargett,2017). In the healthcare industry, good
leadership tactics can cut expenses while also increasing organisational efficiency (Malila et al,
2018)

3) Different Styles of leadership with respect to healthcare

Transactional Leadership

It has emphasized the role of structure, group performance, and supervision. As its word implies,
transactional is viewed as the connection between healthcare executives and personnel
(Richards,2020). Under this leadership style, staff members need to obey leadership by accepting
their employment and need to follow the orders given by their employer. Under this leadership
style, Punishments and rewards play an important role for motivational tools to healthcare
executives to encourage them.

For example- If a staff member follows the order and procedure communicate to him, he will be
recognized by giving a reward but if he fails to follow then he will be punished. Its main
prominence is (Richards,2020). -

 Follow all the rules, procedures, and standards and respect them
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 Roles are clearly defined in this leadership style


 Duties are clearly defined and supervision is clear

The main assumptions that lead the organisation to use this style of leadership are the following

 Under this style of leadership, it is assumed that an employee will do their best work when
following a clear chain of command
 This makes employers have close supervision of their subordinate that ensures that people
are meeting their work objectives
 Where the main goal of stall members is to obey all the orders and follow all the
instructions.

Transactional Leadership in Healthcare

The Healthcare industry now depends on digital technology. It provides various benefits including
patient-doctor coordination, helps to improve communication among healthcare providers, and
facilitates many administrative works but it also accounts for the security liability (Sabbah et al,
2020) Cybersecurity is a major concern in the healthcare industry. The patient records save in
digital records can be a target for cybercriminals as it helps them to connect medical devices and
equipment that can offer access to healthcare organisations' information technology (IT)
systems. So, to avoid this and protect cybersecurity Healthcare executives make various
policies and procedures to protect from cybercriminals. This includes allocating various kinds
of responsibilities related to budget, to do investment in cybersecurity awareness training
programs. So, under cybersecurity health administration transactional leadership style
management is used to ensure that organisation has contingency plans if there is any security
breach. So, these kinds of plans proper supervision and provide guarantee for effectiveness
(Sabbah et al, 2020)

Charismatic Leadership Style

For charismatic leaders it is important to communicate in a moving, emotionally charged


manner. They influence people by communicating their visions with power that lead people
into action and creating trust. Under this, charismatic leaders include the following qualities
(Sy et al, 2018)-

 It involves genuine expressions of feelings because they actually know how other feel
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 They know how to connect emotionally with others

 They know how to control their emotions and not display them

 They love to interact with people and possess excellent skills of public speaker

 They know how to deal with different types of people emotionally and socially

These qualities in leadership management helps to unite people for common goal. It allowed
leaders to motivate members because it is a mission-driven that leads to succeed in doing
needed changes in the healthcare organisation (Meslec et al, 2020). This kind of leadership
management is required in managing healthcare worker stress. Nurses and other healthcare
staff members put extremely long hours, performing everything from ordinary physical
activities to life-saving surgeries. Staffing shortages in the healthcare industry are common,
putting even more strain on employees. When life-threatening situations, such as weather-
related disasters or disease outbreaks, occur, the duties and conditions of healthcare profession
can abruptly rise. Maintaining worker morale is crucial since healthcare administrators are
responsible for managing employees who perform physically, psychologically, and
emotionally demanding labour on a regular basis (Meslec et al, 2020).

Laissez-Faire Leadership

Under this style of leadership, very little direction is given to the team members. It is also defined as
“Hands-off”. The leader does not take decisions or take very less decision. Team members work
without any direction or there is no supervision. This style of leadership is very risky approach as
under this style there is no meaningful change can occur that makes it risky for healthcare workers
(Donkor and Zhou, 2020)

This strategy, on the other hand, might be a good fit if a team is a well-oiled machine with the
stats to back it up. However, if the team's composition changes, this method's utility will most
likely diminish. Healthcare executives must always be change-ready, which may make this the
least preferred leadership style for them (Donkor and Zhou, 2020)

Autocratic Leadership Style

Under this leadership style, the leader will make most of the team’s choice. Under this type of
style mistakes are not tolerated, due to which it creates an atmosphere of lack of openness
regarding quality and safety issues, that makes harder to improve in health areas (Luqman et
al,2020) Under the health care organisations, this leadership style works well in emergency
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situations because under emergency situations there is no time to take decisions by asking from
the team or take collaborative decision. It also works well in organisation that trying to achieve
no defects (Luqman et al,2020). Example- Surgical timeouts

Democratic Leadership style

Under this style of leadership, decision is ultimately taken by a democratic leader. This leader is at
ease soliciting and receiving feedback from his or her team and other stakeholders. In departments
led by this style of leader, feedback is a two-way street (Fletcher et al,2019).

In healthcare, process improvement is a constant necessity, and this sort of leadership is ideal for
the job. In situations or environments when decisions must be made quickly and time is of the
essence, it may not work as well (Fletcher et al,2019).

4) Advantages and disadvantages of the leadership styles in Healthcare and


the Decision Significance and Effectiveness

Based on the above analysis of different styles of leadership, the comparative advantage and
disadvantage are the following

Type of Advantage Disadvantage Efficiency in Health


leadership sector
style

Autocratic When it comes to making swift When this style of It helps in taking
decisions in nursing, autocratic leadership is adopted in decision quickly. In
leadership will be beneficial. an organisation, leaders healthcare sector, in
lose access to valuable emergency situation this
This could be beneficial to the
opinions, ideas or is helpful.
team in an emergency
insights from other
members of the team that
can be important for
improvement in
strategies.
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Democratic Staff members are allowed to take If workers are not At time of emergency,
decisions, motivate them experienced enough, this will not work in
chances of errors. healthcare as it takes
When complex decision is taken it
time.
is useful
As they have the ability to inspire The health care
Charismatic Decisions are more
the people that can improve executives should make
efficient in Health care
loyalty and commitment of those sure that their
sector.
they lead. personalities don't get in
the way of good business
It crates innovation, as it treats processes.
failures as an opportunity to learn
and grow. Charismatic leaders may
not hear critical feedback
because of their
popularity.

Laissez-Faire Suitable for good and highly Not suitable for risky Not suitable for
experienced team business. healthcare industry as
team changes

Consultative High- employee engagement Decisions are not In emergency situation,


efficient as more people this style can not be
Strong Problem -solving
are involved used in Heathcare
industry.

Transactional Clear-structure In situations or In healthcare, process


environments when improvement is a
Employee motivate due to
decisions must be made constant necessity, and
rewards and punishment
quickly and time is of the this sort of leadership is
essence, it may not work ideal for the job.
as well.

5) Transformational Leadership Style

In healthcare sector, transformational leadership has a clear vision of encouraging other that
includes charismatic leader (Gabel,2017). This is one of the best leadership styles in healthcare for
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developing changes (Gabel,2017). In this leadership style, they also give time to team members to
train them and also provide guidance to build their own leadership skills (Gabel,2017). Various
organisation in healthcare follows transformational leadership style and fortis is one of them that
follow this leadership style. It will be analysed how fortis is using transformational leadership style
in their organisation.

In every organisation Change in management is very important, so it is equally important in


healthcare management also. There is a strong link between transformative leadership and
employees' willingness to change in the healthcare industry (Samarakoon,2019). There are various
studies that prove that transformational leadership style has a direct impact on the dynamic work
environment (Jambawo,2018). Today's health systems are changing for many reasons, including
research and development, advancement in technologies, and changes in illness patterns. That make
it change management as important function for a healthcare manager (Samarakoon,2019). If we
take the example of Resistance to change in healthcare in Fortis, it was identified as one of the
barriers in healthcare organisations, there were challenges to replacing paper records with electronic
medical records but now it is capable because of the way management that handles it with a right
leadership style which makes HealthCare sector to accept changes. “According to Fortis Hospital
CFO Report, more than 50% of a hospital’s operating revenue goes to staff labor. That’s a big
investment, and if those people don’t have good health leadership and management, it can really
show in an organization’s bottom line.”

6) Leadership in healthcare that fits best in most situations

Numerous individuals who study medical services administration and the board accept that
Transformational leadership initiative is the best in practically all situations (Fletcher et al,2019).
Since representatives feel appreciated and are furnished with initiative as well as separately
instructed to assemble their capacities, medical care administration techniques that utilization the
Transformational style have the absolute most noteworthy worker fulfilment rates (Fletcher et
al,2019). Through a common feeling of regard and group obligation to a dream, the
transformational initiative model develops an eagerness to take a stab at consistent advancement.

Adherents of a transformational forerunner in medical care genuinely regard and respect their chief,
and they are faithful to their chief's heading. Individuals will be more disposed to relinquish old
strategies for getting things done and trust in them that the new way would be predominant, making
the transformational model the best method to drive change. Taking a gander at all of the successful
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initiative styles in healthcare and receiving the best highlights of each is the most ideal approach to
move toward administration and the board in medical services (Fletcher et al,2019).

7) Best style for building strong leadership in healthcare

A group chief's contribution in wellbeing and social consideration is vital to the association's
wellbeing and prosperity (Khan et al, 2018). In health services offices, a terrible pioneer can cut the
whole organization down, bringing about high staff turnover and low quiet fulfilment. In healthcare,
incredible authority and the board can have the converse impact and lift an association higher. Great
pioneers can support representative spirit, advance proficiency gains, and increment patient
consideration and fulfilment (Khan et al, 2018).

The sort of transformational initiative model used can hugely affect a pioneer's adequacy (Fischer,
2017). While this leadership style initiative is viewed as perhaps the best styles in healthcare
services, great authority credits may likewise be found in medical services organizations. It is
essential to understand the most effective leadership style in healthcare because its impact is very
high in any organisation. Leadership style in healthcare services become more important as it deals
with a patient and to apply it effectively is very important. Any organisation can adopt this style in
organisation by understanding its positive impact. (Fischer, 2017)
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Conclusion

Throughout this report, importance of different leadership style can be seen. There are various kinds
of leadership style that an organisation can follow based on their decision-making process and the
time they have to take decision. Based on employee involvement, different styles are used. But it is
very important to involve employee in decision-making process so that he can be motivated and
work with more efficiency because he will feel valuable if he is involving in decision making. But
in healthcare, in emergency situation decision-taking process is fast so different kinds of leadership
style needs to be adopted based on different levels. Transformational leadership style is most
preferred in healthcare as it makes employees feel valuable.
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References
 Donkor, F. and Zhou, D., 2020. Organisational commitment influences on the relationship
between transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles and employee performance in the
Ghanaian public service environment. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 30(1), pp.30-36.
 Fischer, S.A., 2017. Transformational leadership in nursing education: making the
case. Nursing science quarterly, 30(2), pp.124-128.
 Fletcher, K.A., Friedman, A. and Piedimonte, G., 2019. Transformational and transactional
leadership in healthcare seen through the lens of pediatrics. The Journal of pediatrics, 204,
pp.7-9.
 Gabel, S., 2017. Transformational leadership and healthcare. Medical Science
Educator, 23(1), pp.55-60.
 Hargett, C.W., Doty, J.P., Hauck, J.N., Webb, A.M., Cook, S.H., Tsipis, N.E., Neumann,
J.A., Andolsek, K.M. and Taylor, D.C., 2017. Developing a model for effective leadership
in healthcare: a concept mapping approach. Journal of healthcare leadership, 9, p.69.
 Jambawo, S., 2018. Transformational leadership and ethical leadership: their significance in
the mental healthcare system. British Journal of Nursing, 27(17), pp.998-1001.
 Khan, M.S., Sentosa, I. and Salman, F., 2018. Exploring the role of transformational
leadership in human capital effectiveness: Empirical evidence from the Malaysian
healthcare sector. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable
Development.26(13), pp.29-45
 Luqman, R., Fatima, S., Ahmed, S., Khalid, I. and Bhatti, A., 2020. The Impact of
Autocratic Leadership Style on Counterproductive Work Behavior: The Mediating role of
Employee Commitment and Moderating role of Emotional Exhaustion. Pollster Journal of
Academic Research, 6(01), pp.22-47.
 Malila, N., Lunkka, N. and Suhonen, M., 2018. Authentic leadership in healthcare: a
scoping review. Leadership in Health Services, 11(4), pp- 70-74
 Meslec, N., Curseu, P.L., Fodor, O.C. and Kenda, R., 2020. Effects of charismatic
leadership and rewards on individual performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 31(6),
p.101423.
 Richards, A., 2020. Exploring the benefits and limitations of transactional leadership in
healthcare. Nursing Standard, 35(12), pp.46-50.
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 Sabbah, I.M., Ibrahim, T.T., Khamis, R.H., Bakhour, H.A.M., Sabbah, S.M., Droubi, N.S.
and Sabbah, H.M., 2020. The association of leadership styles and nurses well-being: a cross-
sectional study in healthcare settings. The Pan African Medical Journal, 36.
 Samarakoon, K.B., 2019, Leadership styles for healthcare, International Journal of
Scientific and Research Publications, 9 (7), PP-49-53
 Sy, T., Horton, C. and Riggio, R., 2018. Charismatic leadership: Eliciting and channeling
follower emotions. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(1), pp.58-69.

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