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Essay Leadership and Change

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Introduction “Not all leadership is about changing or challenging people’s vision of the future” (Stanley, 2011, p. 57).
The term leadership can be applied to varying positions within healthcare, from management to the clinical setting. However, while those in a management position may wear the title of “leader”, this type of leadership can be far removed from that of a clinical leader. I believe that the above quote by Stanley (2011) is true from the perspective that not all styles of leadership are instrumental in the changing or challenging of people’s vision of the future. This essay shall explore in closer detail the debate between management and leadership, in particular styles of leadership identified within the management and …show more content…

Transformational leaders are proactive; they encourage and facilitate change as they appeal to the ethics and beliefs of individuals to provide motivation; they are able to enlist and enable followers who will support and drive their ideas; and they empower people to believe that their actions can and will make a difference (Kouzes & Posner, 2007). Marquis & Houston (2012) identify communication and acknowledgement as being a key quality behind successful transformational leadership as personal interaction is vital for employees to feel appreciated and part of a successful team. This type of leadership has altered work environments for the better and has been associated with increases in patient outcomes, staff satisfaction and retention levels (Kouzes & Posner, 2007).

Clinical leaders are establishing themselves as essential to any organisation valuing change as part of their improvement process (Davidson, 2010). Clinical leaders deliver frontline patient care and are in the best possible position to co-ordinate, implement, drive and measure changes in practice that will directly impact patient outcomes (Marquis & Houston, 2012). Davidson (2010) also describes clinical leaders as visionaries who strive to improve clinical outcomes through their ability to influences changes in practice. Clinical leaders are recognized through their own actions, the cohesiveness and

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