UW LEAH Seminar
Laura Richardson, MD, MPH

Goals for This Talk
• Define leadership
• Discuss the difference between leadership and management
• Reflect on individual leadership qualities

What makes someone a leader?

What are the key qualities of a leader?
• Passion and heart
• Ability to communicate and inspire shared vision
• Self-reflection and awareness
• Willingness to share (power, successes, failures)
• Ability to operate under uncertainty
• Focus on the big picture

Kouzes & Poser Leadership Model
Leaders:
1.
Challenge the Process
2.
Inspire Shared Vision
3.
Enable Others to Act
4.
Model the Way
5.
Encourage the Heart

Where do Leaders Operate?
Beyond Imagination
That’s Impossible
That’s Difficult
Easy to
Do
**From the MCH Leadership Development Series

Leaders Operate in Many Spheres
• Research and the creation of new knowledge or technology
• Design of new organizational structures and schema: challenging the status quo
• Caretakers of the well-being of others
• Teachers and nurturers of values and learning
• Enablers of action in others

Management versus Leadership
Management:
• Coping with complexity
• Ensuring order and consistency
• Planning and budgeting
• Organizing and staffing to accomplish objectives
• Problem solving
Leadership
• Nurturing and delivering of change
• Setting the direction
• Developing and sharing a vision
• Aligning people
• Motivating and inspiring

How are Leaders Made?
History of Leadership Theories
• Great Man Theory (1840s)
– Assumed that leadership was intrinsic
– Leaders are born…not made
• Trait Leadership Theory (1930’s-1940’s)
– People are made with certain qualities that will make them excel in leadership roles
– but which qualities and in what combination?
– Early start to behavioral theories

Leadership Theories (continued)
• Behavioral Theories (1940’s-1950’s)
– A leader’s behavior is the best predictor of his leadership influence and success
– 3 groups of leaders: people oriented, task oriented, and participatory oriented
– Leadership can be taught
• Contingency Theories (1960’s)
– There is no single way of leading: leadership style should be based on situation.

Leadership Theories (continued)
• Transactional Leadership Theories (1970’s)
– Leadership is formed through a series of mutually beneficial exchanges: if you do this for me, I will do this for you
– Followers will choose a leader that maximizes their pleasurable experiences and minimizes negatives
• Transformational Leadership Theories (1970’s)
– Leader’s transform their followers through their inspirational nature and charismatic personalities such that followers identify with the leader and its purpose
– Rules and regulations are guided by group norms

Transactional versus
Transformational Leaders
Transactional Leaders
• Focus on maintaining the status quo
• Work within the existing organizational culture
• Relate to followers by exchanges/transactions
• Are reactive
Transformational Leaders
• Focus on change and communicate clear vision
• Address the needs and values of the organization
• Address the needs and values of followers
• Are proactive

Skills and Competencies of a MCH
Leader
• Challenge the Process
– Embrace and promote change
• Build and communicate shared vision
– Encourage heart and passion
– Reinforcing the “why”
• Team building and collaboration
– Nurturing the team and enabling others to act
• Political knowledge and finesse

How does one become a leader in
Maternal Child Health?
• http://www.jhsph.edu/custom/mod_staticvide oplayer/_includes/cfm/popupVideo.cfm?src=C entersInstitutes/WomensChildrensHealthPolicy
Center/mch/Interviews/28learningtolead.flv

Interview with an MCH professional - 2
• http://www.jhsph.edu/custom/mod_staticvide oplayer/_includes/cfm/popupVideo.cfm?src=C entersInstitutes/WomensChildrensHealthPolicy
Center/mch/Interviews/1learningtolead2.flv

Key Points
• Management and leadership have different purposes and may require different skill sets
• Both skill sets are critical for effectiveness leaders should also be good managers
• Leaders are focused on change
• Leaders inspire others to work toward change
• True leaders are not ego driven

Video: What it takes to start a movement.
• http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ted+t alk+how+to+start+a+movement&mid=B66A
CC4998AB66BF7FC7B66ACC4998AB66BF7F
C7&view=detail&FORM=VIRE8

Other Resources
• MCH Leadership Development Series: http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-andinstitutes/womens-and-childrens-health-policycenter/MCHLDS/
• Other TED Talk on Leadership: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=tony+robbins+t ed+talk&mid=A95684DC20AB785572DFA95684DC2
0AB785572DF&view=detail&FORM=VIRE4