Sheikh Khalifa Medical City - Leadership Philosophy and Leadership Initiatives - Case Study Example

Introduction Personal philosophy of leadership has become highly desirable element for meeting the myriad challenges of contemporary times vis-à-vistechnology, globalization, ethics, personal and professional growth etc. The developments of value system and traits that exploit diverse viewpoints and ideologies to achieve wider organizational goals have increasingly become essential ingredients of success. McShane (2003) strongly believes that leaders have vision, perseverance and capacity to inspire others. They thereby serve as major motivation for others to strive for higher performance. Indeed, as part of SKMC or Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, I believe that my personal philosophy of leadership would significantly contribute as element of competitive advantage and to the success of SKMC as major healthcare system. What is leadership? Leadership can be broadly defined as unique approach of individuals or leaders who can bring about changes in other people. It is an integral part of human behaviour as it is linked to followers. Kouzes and Posner (2007) assert that leaders’ approach to tackling issues or promoting a cause is major factor that makes them popular amongst the followers. It becomes highly pertinent within the organizations as it helps to meet the challenges of work paradigms and inspires others to achieve a common goal. Leadership styles Chandler (1977) has explored the issues with reference to individual approach and says that strategies of managerial leadership become their major motivating factor for their success within the organizations. I believe that three major styles of leadership are popular within organizations: Transformational; situational; and participative. James Burns (1978) states that transforming leadership is based on a relationship of mutual inspiration and elevation that converts followers into leaders and may convert leaders into moral agents. The political leaders are often endowed with traits of transformational leaders who take up social causes as major agenda to transform them into staunch followers. Situational leaders exploit situations to enhance performance. Sjostrand and Tyrstrup (2001) believe that managerial leadership is relational ongoing social construction which adapts to the changing equations. This is very important in the contemporary environment of fast changing technology and globalization. Such types of leaders are able to convince others to adopt changes and take them as opportunities for improving productive outcome. Participative leadership takes into consideration the views of others and promotes collectives decision making based on informed choice for common goals. Tannenbaum & Schmidt (1973) emphasize that organizational leaders increasingly prefer participative leadership as they can use effective communication to share organizational vision, mission and goals with the workforce. Leadership traits Leadership qualities and traits encourage participation of the workforce in the overall strategy of having collective goals through shared learning. Many scholars have conducted studies to find the traits and behaviour and leadership style that has transformed common man into effective leaders (Stogdill 1974; Yukl 2002). Few of the important traits that a leader must inculcate are: good communication; vision; adaptability towards change; positive attitude and commitment; creativity, initiative and belief; integrity and ethics; compassion and caring nature. Effective communication is one of the most crucial traits of the leaders which is used to disseminate information and inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst the various stakeholders of the organization. Visionary leaders empower their followers so that they can make decisions based on informed choices. It facilitates in adapting to the changes which occur due to transforming technologies and values and significantly impact organizational processes. Indeed, effective leadership influences cultural identity and helps adapt to the changing environment. The organizational leadership which encourages creativity and innovative practices helps to promote a unique perspective to work approach that strives for higher productivity and achievement. Their intrinsic belief in human competency and goodness inculcates confidence and mutual respect amongst workforce. Their positive attitude greatly helps to overcome adversity through hard work and turns them into opportunities that are exploited for improved performance. Their caring nature and compassionate behavior helps inculcate trust and confidence in the workforce. Integrity and ethics are intrinsically linked to leadership. Ethics can broadly be defined as value based conduct that promotes responsible behavior and accountability in one’s actions. In the current environment of fast deteriorating values and changing dynamics of society, ethical considerations become critical aspects of social consciousness and sustainable business practice. They can also become strong enabling elements of competitive advantage when faced with the complex issues of diversity, environment, social responsibility etc. How I intend to apply my leadership philosophy in organization In SKMC, I would prefer to follow participative leadership style mainly because it encourages collective decision and mutual trust building as basis to evolve common goals so as to improve and improvise outcome. SKMC is leading institution for SEHA healthcare system. SEHA is part government of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare initiatives that looks hospital and clinical operations. It primarily caters to the healthcare needs of community of Abu Dhabi through well equipped, state of the art hospital that also serves as center for medical education and research. The mission, vision and values of the institutions are patient centric and focus on providing exceptional patient experience through quality healthcare delivery. It is managed by Cleveland Clinic and exemplifies high standard of ethical consideration and accountability in all its areas of operations. Through collaborations and forging alliances within and outside Abu Dhabi, SKMC has earned a credible reputation for its state of the art hospital facilities, superior clinical outcome and exemplary education and research facility within the Middle East. It employs many Emiratis as doctors, nurses, lab technicians and administrators and gives a sense of national pride to the common man. Its leadership initiatives in various areas have considerably contributed to the wider welfare of local people including their medical education, providing constant learning environment and encouraging innovative programs like ‘GOAL’ that helps develop local leaders. Thus, my leadership philosophy plays important role within the organizational culture of SKMC. McGuire and Kennerly (2006) stress that nurse managers who are endowed with transformation leadership traits have more committed followers that transactional leaders within the nursing profession. Indeed, effective communication would facilitate changes in the institutional culture to adapt to the changing environment of newer technology and changing format of society. The shared vision and understanding of cross cultural values provide an intangible stability within the organization. Understanding of cross cultural values and effective communication become highly relevant to healthcare system. The imperatives of leadership initiatives greatly facilitate benefits as the workforce has to interact with people coming from different culture, race and nationality. In nursing, the leadership initiatives become critical to the welfare of the patients, carer and the medical fraternity (Sullivan & Decker, 2009: 53). Nursing profession is key aspect of healthcare industry that is intrinsically linked to the healthcare of the sick and the infirm. Nurses, doctors and carers through personal care, compassion and positive attitude, provide the patients with strong motivation to cope with their illnesses and at the same time, ensure that their health related needs are taken care of with efficiency. The leadership initiatives in this area of healthcare are therefore, highly critical to the wider welfare of the patients and other stakeholders. Conclusion One can therefore conclude that leadership philosophy and leadership initiatives are essential ingredients of personal and professional growth. The versatility of leaders ensures that they adopt flexible approach and exploit adverse conditions and turn them into opportunities. My leadership philosophy would greatly help accelerate the development of healthcare imperatives at SKMC and make it a highly attractive medical facility across the world. Reference Burns, J.M. (1978) Leadership. New York: Harper Row. Chandler, A D. (1977). The Visible Hand: The Managerial Revolution in American Business. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Donaher, K., Russell, G., Scoble, K., & Chen, J. (2007) The human capital competencies inventory for developing nurse managers. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 38(6), pp.277. Kouzes, James M and Posner, Barry Z. (2007) The Leadership Challenge. 4th ed. Jossey Bass. McShane. (2003) Leadership and Management. Study guide. McGuire, E., and Kennerly, S. (2006) Nurse Managers as transformational and transactional leaders. Nursing Economics, 24(4), pp.179. Sjostrand, S and Tyrstrup, M. (2001) Recognized and Unrecognized Managerial Leadership. In: S Sjostrand, J Sandberg and M Tyrstrup. ed. Invisible Management – The social construction of leadership. Thomson, pp 1-27. SKMC Available from: [Accessed 16 July 2011] Stogdill, R.M. (1974) Handbook of Leadership: A survey of theory and research. New York, Free Press. Sullivan, E. J. & Decker, P. J.(2009) Effective Leadership and Management in Nursing. 7th ed. NJ, Pearson-Prentice Hall. Tannenbaum, R. & Schmidt, W.(1973) How to Choose a Leadership Pattern. Harvard Business Review, May/June, 73311. Yukl, G.A. (2002). Leadership in Organizations. 5th ed. NJ, Prentice-Hall. Read More