Clinical leadership characteristics confirmed

Abstract

Aims

This paper compares the results of two studies conducted by the same researcher into the attributes and characteristics of clinical leaders.

Background

The two studies used an almost identical questionnaire; however, they were conducted 6 years apart, in different counties, with different health care staff (nurses and paramedics), made up of very different gender ratios. The initial study was larger and focused on more than describing clinical leader attributes; however, this was the principle focus of the second study.

Findings

The findings from both studies offer very similar results and describe clear insights into the attributes health professionals seek in clinical leaders. The research findings are remarkably similar given the differences in professional group, gender variations, country differences and time span.

Conclusions

Leaders are followed because there is a match between the leaders values and beliefs and their actions. People identify with the leaders values and follow them if they are reflected in the leaders’ actions. Clinical leader characteristics are approachability, clinical competence, being supportive, acting as mentors or role models, being visible in practice, directing and helping people, inspiring confidence, having effective communication skills and behaving with integrity. Vision and creativity were less evidently sought or identified as a clinical leader characteristic.