Leadership Skills &
Professional Behavior
for Career Success
TOTA Annual Conference
November 8, 2014
Sophie Rydin, OTR, PhD
Learning Objectives
O OT students and clinicians will learn the
importance of developing professional behaviors
& leadership skills
O OT students will learn the effective strategies to
develop appropriate professional behaviors
before entering Level I & Level II FW rotations
O Clinicians will learn important tips on
professional development & leadership skills to
secure and/or advance their careers
Why Leadership Skills &
Professional Behaviors are
Important
O To students – 11 out of the total of 42 items
on the FWPE (Fieldwork Performance
Evaluation for the OT Student) are related to
communication & professional behaviors, 8
out of the total of 25 items for OTA students
O To clinicians – Performance reviews, career
development and advancement, mentoring
FW students
Professional Behaviors for
Students
O FWPE – VI. Communication:
O 32. Clearly & effectively communicates
verbally & nonverbally
O 33. Produces clear & accurate
documentation
O 34. All written communication is legible
O 35. Uses language appropriate to the
recipient
Professional Behaviors For
Students
O FWPE – VII. Professional Behaviors
O 36. Collaborates with supervisor(s)
O 37. Takes responsibility for attaining professional
O
O
O
O
O
competence
38. Responds constructively to feedback
39. Demonstrates consistent work behaviors
40. Demonstrates effective time management
41. Demonstrates positive interpersonal skills
42. Demonstrates respect for diversity
Professional Behaviors for
Clinicians
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Dependability
Professionalism
Take initiative
Empathy
Collaboration
Organization
Problem solving
Give & receive construction feedback
Verbal communication
Written communication
Accountability
How to Develop Professional
Behaviors
O For students –
O For clinicians -
Leadership Defined
O Good business leaders create a Vision,
articulate the Vision, passionately own the
Vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion
– Jack Welch
Leadership Skills
Communication – verbal & written
Genuine respect & concerns for others
See things from the other person’s point of view
Listen to learn
Team player
Give recognition, praise & rewards
Handle mistakes, complaints, and criticism
Set goals that are clear, challenging & obtainable for
yourself and others
O Achieve balance between work and leisure
O Create a positive mental attitude
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Leadership Skills
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Learn not to worry
Be passionate and enthusiastic
Take initiative
Critical thinking
Energetic
Positive attitude
Inspiring & motivate others
Focus and discipline
Constant learning
Know how to delegate
Accountable for his/her actions
How to Grow & Develop Your
Leadership Skills
O Be in control of your career and life
O Take personal responsibility
O Know where you are and continue to
improve
O Recognize & acknowledge your deficiencies
O Identify & emulate people who are where
you want to be
O Create your own leadership style
Leadership Resources Journals
O Leadership Quarterly
O Journal of Management Development
O Journal of Leadership and Organizational
Studies
O Journal of Organizational Behavior
O Journal of Applied Psychology
Leadership Resources –
Professional Associations
O The Center for Association Leadership –
http://www.asaenet.org/
O Center for Creative Leadership –
http://www.ccl.org/
Leadership Resources Websites
O Forbes – www.forbes.com/careers
O Psychology.com –
http://www.psychology.about.com/cs/lead/
Leadership Resources
O Academy of Leadership, University of
Maryland –
http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/leadershipaca
demy/
O Fast Company –
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/resour
ces/leadership.html
References
O American Occupational therapy Association
(2002). Fieldwork Performance Evaluation
for the Occupational Therapy Student.
Bethesda, MD.
O Dale Carnegie (1990). The Leader in You.
Simon & Schuster, Inc., NY, NY.
O Jack Kasar & E Nelson Clark (2000).
Developing Professional behaviors. Slack
Inc., Thorofare, NJ.
Sophie.rydin@hcss.com