Personal Leadership Portrait

Personal Leadership Portrait

Personal Leadership Portrait

Leadership, in its essence, refers to the skill of motivating and guiding individuals toward reaching their utmost capabilities to complete any given task, objective, or project successfully. Throughout history, leadership theories have emerged and evolved, adapting to the changing dynamics of society and historical events. As time has progressed, various leadership styles have emerged, each with its own unique characteristics and approaches. Healthcare systems operate in a perpetually demanding setting where they are tasked with enhancing public health and curbing healthcare expenditure. How managers approach their roles and the leadership styles they adopt can significantly impact the performance of both the staff and the overall healthcare system. This paper outlines my approach to healthcare leadership, interprofessional relationships, community engagement, change management, ethical leadership, and clinical and scholarly practice.

My Approach to Health Care Leadership

Through my leadership assessment, I have been able to identify my strengths in fostering a caring connection, promoting team collaboration, and demonstrating authentic courage. These qualities have contributed to my positive and collaborative leadership style, inspiring others to work together towards a common goal. However, as I evaluate my emotional intelligence, I also recognize the need to improve my ability to balance strategic priorities with community concerns. My high scores in caring connection and fostering team play from the Leadership Self-Assessment highlight my strong relational skills and self-awareness. However, I understand that there is always room for improvement in my leadership and emotional intelligence skills.

As a healthcare leader, I am proud of my ability to inspire others to work together towards a common goal. But I also understand the importance of balancing the needs of the organization with those of the community. With ongoing self-reflection and improvement, I am confident that I can enhance my leadership approach and continue to positively impact the healthcare industry. By addressing areas for development and building upon my strengths, I can enhance my overall leadership effectiveness. Maintaining a balance between empathy and strategic decision-making is crucial to effectively lead and serve the community. I am committed to ongoing growth and development to provide the best possible leadership in the field of health care.

Interprofessional Relationships, Community Engagement, and Change Management Outcomes

My approach to leadership is all-encompassing, prioritizing both service development and positive clinical outcomes. I believe in engaging healthcare practitioners and advocating for the well-being of patients and clients, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and personal and professional growth. I encourage innovation and ethical practices within the team and foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility through collaborative activities. Effective communication, relationship-building, and individualized consideration are critical components of my leadership approach, as I understand that loyalty and shared goals lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and higher job satisfaction. Embodying idealized influence, inspiration and motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration enable me to strive to achieve exceptional outcomes and inspire others to prioritize the interests of the team and organization as a whole.

My goal is to cultivate a work environment where individuals feel empowered and motivated to excel by applying various leadership techniques. I lead by example with idealized influence, inspiring others to surpass their own self-interests and strive for excellence. I believe that everyone has a wellspring of inspiration and motivation, and I use these tools to encourage individuals to perform beyond their initial intentions. By stimulating their intellect and providing individualized consideration, I create a culture of growth and innovation. This approach not only guarantees favorable outcomes but also supports the entire team and organization’s success.

My proficiency in these abilities allows me to effectively cooperate with fellow healthcare professionals who are involved in various aspects of care of patients, families, caregivers, and communities. Together, we strive to acknowledge and exchange our distinct viewpoints, ensuring the delivery of exceptional healthcare services. The evaluation of interprofessional collaboration is determined by the capacity to form alliances, foster cooperation, coordinate efforts, and make collective decisions (Rizkia et al., 2022). My style and approach are related to the transformational style that has been argued to promote shared leadership by utilizing outcomes of core self-evaluation (Siangchokyoo & Klinger, 2022). My capabilities in effective team communication can enable me to plan and execute change management strategies, such as communication of change to prevent resistance by team members and promote cooperation and collective change vision (Eisenberg et al., 2019). Therefore, my personal approach to healthcare leadership can promote interprofessional relationships, enhance diverse community engagement, and facilitate positive change management

Application of Ethical Leadership Principles:

As a healthcare professional, I am acutely aware of the importance of upholding ethical leadership principles. I believe that by maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct, we can preserve integrity and create a culture of trust and respect within our industry. To this end, I am dedicated to identifying and applying ethical principles that are specifically relevant to my discipline. In my experience, ethical leadership involves not only adhering to ethical standards and guidelines but also creating an environment that promotes transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. I believe that by doing so, we can foster a culture that encourages open communication and collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes for our patients. In my role, I believe that it is my responsibility to lead by example and set the tone for ethical conduct within my organization. I work closely with my colleagues to ensure that we are all committed to upholding these principles, and I am always available to provide guidance and support when needed.

I make a concerted effort to stay informed about the latest research and best practices in ethical leadership to achieve good ethical standards. I regularly attend conferences and workshops and seek out opportunities for professional development. By adopting best practices and evaluating different approaches, I am constantly striving to create a workplace culture that prioritizes ethical principles and values. Due to the rise in prominent ethical scandals and the increased focus on ethical standards in the workplace, the significance of ethical behavior has become more apparent in recent times. Scholars have directed their attention toward the concept of ethical leadership, emphasizing the crucial role of leaders’ ethics and moral responsibility in creating an ethical organizational culture. Ethical leadership is defined as the demonstration of appropriate behavior through personal actions and relationships, as well as the encouragement of such behavior among followers through communication, reinforcement, and decision-making.

As an ethical leader, I see it essential to treat subordinates and my fellows and juniors fairly and ethically, which can lead to the development of high-quality social exchange relationships. Employees are more likely to trust an ethical leader, receive personal consideration, and demonstrate increased effort in both their assigned tasks and additional responsibilities. Ethical leadership involves setting a positive example through personal conduct and interactions with others, as well as actively promoting ethical behavior among team members.

The establishment of ethical leadership practices within an organization can contribute to a positive work environment, increased employee morale, and enhanced overall performance. Most ethical leaders prioritize integrity, honesty, and transparency in their decision-making processes, fostering a culture of trust and respect among team members. By embodying ethical principles and values, leaders can inspire their followers to uphold similar standards of behavior and contribute to the organization’s success. Ethical leadership is essential for building strong relationships, fostering a sense of community, and promoting a workplace culture of accountability and responsibility. The study by Specchia et al. (2021) revealed that leaders who emphasize transparency, self-awareness, and the promotion of a strong work ethic can empathize with their subordinates by recognizing and understanding their concerns, needs, and desires. Over time, nurses who are part of such an environment tend to develop greater confidence in their abilities and perform more effectively.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Organizations often face pressure to improve responsiveness and flexibility, leading them to pursue complex goals that may be challenging for individuals to achieve. Utilizing teamwork allows organizations to leverage diverse resources and skills toward interdependent tasks, increasing the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes. In my understanding, diversity within a team involves individuals bringing unique perspectives and backgrounds to the table, enhancing the overall problem-solving capabilities of the group. Inclusion ensures that everyone in the diverse team feels involved, valued, respected, and treated fairly, fostering a sense of belonging within the organizational culture. Diversity and inclusion are crucial components of effective healthcare leadership, particularly in the context of nursing. Cultivating positive employee and community relations through diversity and inclusion initiatives is a crucial goal for organizational development in terms of reputation among employees and clients. Strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace that I desire to implement include advocating for equal opportunities, embracing cultural competence, and creating an inclusive environment. Recognizing the positive impact of diversity on healthcare quality and service delivery, continuous education and open dialogue are recommended to foster a culture of inclusion.

Implementing policies that support diversity and inclusion can help organizations create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all team members (Bornman & Louw, 2023). By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, an effective leader can enhance their ability to provide high-quality healthcare services to the community while also promoting a positive work culture by mediating the role of psychological empowerment (Fareed et al., 2023). While my ability to lead and enhance team dynamics can be beneficial in mitigating the adverse consequences of dispersion in teams that are physically close or have minimal geographic dispersion, its effectiveness diminishes when it comes to improving the performance of extensively dispersed teams (Eisenberg et al., 2019). This disparity in effectiveness could be attributed to the challenges I face in facilitating effective communication within highly dispersed teams, where my influence may inadvertently hinder productivity rather than enhance it.

Scholar-Practitioners in Leadership and Professional Development

In my understanding, scholarly practitioners demonstrate a commitment to excellence through continuous learning and evidence-informed decision-making. Scholar-practitioners actively engage in scholarly research and practical application within their field. Zaccagnini et al. (2023) broadly defined scholarly practitioners as healthcare professionals who utilize theory, scientific evidence, and practice-based knowledge to tackle significant practice issues (Garmy & Forsberg, 2020). Their research categorized the elements of scholarly practice into three main themes: the interconnectedness of scholarship and practice, the progression of the healthcare profession, and the fundamental role of being a healthcare practitioner.

Critical thinking is essential for scholar-practitioners to apply new knowledge to real-world problems. Leaders who use critical thinking to assess situations comprehensively make decisions aligned with organizational goals. Nurses now understand the importance of critical thinking in their professional judgment and clinical decision-making. Critical thinking in nursing involves a reflective process where practitioners analyze ideas, assumptions, principles, conclusions, beliefs, and actions. Exceptional leaders utilize critical thinking skills to thoroughly evaluate situations, analyze information, and make decisions that align with organizational objectives. Through a comprehensive assessment of pros and cons, leaders can identify the most effective course of action that will drive progress within the organization. By considering potential outcomes and weighing all factors, leaders can make informed decisions that contribute to the overall success of the organization. However, assessing critical thinking and clinical decision-making is difficult due to their abstract and subjective nature.

Scholar-practitioners advocate for innovative and effective approaches, even if they are unpopular. Good practitioners understand key ingredients for successful innovations and tailor solutions to maximize potential. However, scholar-practitioners are willing to run small experiments and research to inform progress and interventions. Scholar-practitioners contribute to expanding knowledge, improving quality, and promoting evidence-based practices in healthcare. They bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering continuous improvement in the field. The value of scholar-practitioners is evident in their ability to drive progress and innovation in healthcare leadership. Therefore, scholar-practitioner leaders are characterized by their ability to navigate the intricate relationship between theory and practice, with a focus on establishing models of excellence in both learning practice and learning outcomes within healthcare institutions. While adhering to the demands of modern accountability, these leaders aim to enhance the learner’s performance in terms of future clinical practice, leadership effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction.

What sets the scholar-practitioner leader apart from other non-scholar leaders is their unique approach to achieving these objectives. As challenges in healthcare quality and improvement become more complex and multifaceted, individual expertise may no longer suffice to address them adequately. In such cases, collaborative efforts, such as teamwork, become essential for problem-solving. For regular leadership practitioners seeking to make a meaningful impact, identifying and defining the core issues that require attention can be a daunting task (Bloomquist & Georges, 2022). This underscores the importance of utilizing the expertise of scholar practitioners’ strategic problem identification and resolution in the realm of educational leadership.

Conclusion

After thoroughly evaluating my healthcare leadership approach, I have pinpointed my strengths, areas for improvement and growth potential. I have concluded that in addition to my strengths, it is imperative to prioritize emotional intelligence traits, ethical leadership principles, diversity, and inclusion to cultivate a positive culture and improve the quality of healthcare services. As both a scholar and practitioner, my focus is on attaining leadership excellence and continuously expanding my knowledge through evidence-based methodologies, thus, evidence-based leadership.

References

Bloomquist, C., & Georges, L. (2022). Interdisciplinary leadership: A leadership development model for scholar-practitioners. Journal of Leadership Education, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.12806/v21/i4/a4

Bornman, J., & Louw, B. (2023). Leadership development strategies in interprofessional healthcare collaboration: A rapid review. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 15, 175–192. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S405983

Eisenberg, J., Post, C., & DiTomaso, N. (2019). Team dispersion and performance: The role of team communication and transformational leadership. Small Group Research, 50(3), 348–380. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496419827376

Fareed, M. Z., Su, Q., & Aslam, M. U. (2023). Transformational leadership and project success: The mediating role of psychological empowerment. SAGE Open, 13(1), 215824402311547. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231154796

Garmy, P., & Forsberg, A. (2020). The career core of successful scientific leaders in nursing – their motivators and strategies. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 12, 49–57. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S255093

Rizkia, D. G., Girsang, A. J., Kusumapradja, R., Hilmy, M. R., Pamungkas, R. A., & Dewi, S. (2022). The effect of interprofessional collaboration and transformational leadership on patient safety with work motivation as intervening variables. Riset, 4(2), 039–053. https://doi.org/10.37641/riset.v4i2.156

Siangchokyoo, N., & Klinger, R. L. (2022). Shared leadership and team performance: The joint effect of team dispositional composition and collective identification. Group & Organization Management, 47(1), 109–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011211019928

Specchia, M. L., Cozzolino, M. R., Carini, E., Di Pilla, A., Galletti, C., Ricciardi, W., & Damiani, G. (2021). Leadership styles and nurses’ job satisfaction. Results of a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041552

Zaccagnini, M., Bussières, A., Mak, S., Boruff, J., West, A., & Thomas, A. (2023). Scholarly practice in healthcare professions: findings from a scoping review. Advances in Health Sciences Education: Theory and Practice, 28(3), 973–996. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-022-10180-0

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Create an 8-10-page personal leadership portrait that reflects an in-depth assessment of your leadership skills and abilities.

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Introduction

Preparation

Complete the Leadership Self-Assessment.

Note: As you revise your writing, check out the resources listed on the Writing Center’s Writing Support page.

Instructions

Create a personal leadership portrait.

Example Assessment: You may use the following to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like:

• Assessment 3 Example [PDF] Download Assessment 3 Example [PDF].

Writing in the third person is customary in academic writing. However, for this assessment, you may write in the first person.

Document Format and Length

Format your leadership portrait using APA style.

• Use the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] to help you in writing and formatting your leadership portrait. Be sure to include:
  • A title page and references page. An abstract is not required.
  • Appropriate topic section headings.
• Your leadership portrait should be 8–10 pages in length, not including the title page and references page.

Supporting Evidence

Cite 4–5 credible sources published within the last five years from peer-reviewed journals, other scholarly resources, professional industry publications, and assigned readings to support your leadership portrait. You will cite sources when you refer to the characteristics of leadership styles, best practices for interprofessional communication, diversity and inclusion, and ethical standards for your discipline.

Assessment Grading

The assessment requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide, so be sure to address each of the five main tasks. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be evaluated.

• Evaluate your personal approach to health care leadership.
  • Identify the leadership and emotional intelligence characteristics you already possess.
  • Analyze your strengths and limitations (areas for development).
  • Analyze your ability to apply emotional intelligence in your personal approach to health care leadership.
  • Compare your leadership characteristics with a predominant leadership style and its application to professional practice.
  • Assess other leadership styles you might integrate into your skills repertoire to enhance your effectiveness as a leader and manage change in health care.
• Explain how your personal approach to health care leadership facilitates interprofessional relationships, community engagement, and change management.
  • Consider interprofessional relationships with staff, community agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses related to interprofessional relationships, community engagement, and change management.
  • Evaluate best practices for interprofessional communications, and compare your communication skills and attributes to those best practices.
• Explain how ethical leadership principles can be applied to professional practice.
  • Identify the relevant ethical leadership principles for your discipline (public health, health administration, or nursing).
  • Evaluate best practices for developing an ethical culture in the workplace.
• Explain how health care leaders can address diversity and inclusion.
  • What do diversity and inclusion mean to you within the context of population health?
  • Explain the importance of diversity and inclusion to effective leadership.
    • For example, cultivating good employee and community relations.
  • How does an effective leader develop a diverse and inclusive workplace (strategies, best practices)?
  • How do diversity and inclusion contribute to health care quality and service to the community?
  • What best practices would you recommend to address issues of diversity and inclusion?
• Explain how scholar-practitioners contribute to leadership and professional development in the field of health care.
  • Define scholar-practitioner, in your own words.
  • Explain the importance of critical thinking to scholar-practitioners.
  • Evaluate the influence of scholar-practitioners on health care leadership and professional development.
  • Explain the importance of scholar-practitioners to professional practice. Consider their value in:
    • Expanding the knowledge base.
    • Applying new and existing knowledge, research, and scholarship to solve real-world problems.
    • Improving health care quality and safety.
• Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions.
  • Proofread your writing to avoid errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your evaluation.
• Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
  • Apply correct APA formatting to your document, including headers, headings, spacing, and margins.
  • Apply correct APA formatting to all source citations.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save your personal leadership portrait to your ePortfolio.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply interprofessional collaboration, communication, and leadership best practices to advance population health.
  • Evaluate one’s personal approach to health care leadership.
  • Explain how a personal approach to health care leadership facilitates interprofessional relationships, community engagement, and change management.
• Competency 2: Apply professional ethics and the principles of diversity and inclusion to advance population health.
  • Explain how ethical leadership principles can be applied to professional practice.
  • Explain how health care leaders can address diversity and inclusion.
• Competency 3: Explain how scholar-practitioners function as leaders in the field of health care.
  • Explain how scholar-practitioners contribute to leadership and professional development in the field of health care.
• Competency 4: Produce written work that demonstrates critical thinking and application of knowledge, in accordance with Capella’s writing standards.
  • Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions.
  • Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.