A new era of health leadership
Kevin Smith, Megha Bhavsar
Abstract
Traditional models of health leadership are characterized by top-down structures dependent on hierarchy - which emerged historically from military models. With supporting evidence, many of today's leaders are now working hard to shift their organizations to models of empowered teams and servant leadership with the hopes of inciting a broader cultural shift. The concern is that these early signs of progress could unravel due to the many challenges now exacerbated by COVID-19 and its implications. One such example is fostering respect and civility (i.e. the pillars of empowerment and servant leadership) which is placed at risk during times of change and crisis - more so during a pandemic when command-and-control structures are deemed necessary. The evolution of modern health leadership must be implemented with plans for mitigating related risks. Ultimately, the behaviours that are tolerated during times of stress are what become the value system of any organization.