Skills of Healthcare Leaders - Term Paper Example

Skills of a leader of a public health organization Skills of health care leaders The success of activities in a health care institution geared towards the improvement of public health largely depends on its management. Depending on their skills, leaders can either increase or decrease the level of productivity as well as employee dedication to their work. A skill is defined as a learned or acquired capability to complete a given assignment within a given timeframe. This paper focuses on the skills a leader of a public health organization needs and further elucidates the reasons why these skills are needed. Organization and project management skills Public health involves community based interventions geared towards improving the general wee-being of the public. A leader in a public health organization ought to be able to classify and manage all activities within the organization each and every day. Coles and Porter (2008) asserts that "Organizing a normal days activities either at work or at home involves basic elements of project management such as meeting time deadlines and utilizing resources" (p. 238). There are instances during public health interventions when activities appear intricate, and instances where diverse activities require to be conducted at dissimilar periods hence a mix-up or confusion may occur. Having effective project management skills hence is important in such cases as it helps a public health leader prepare and arrange activities methodically and at the same time spot or recognize key areas that need perfection. These skills also enable a public health manager or leader to allocate resources according to precedence. It is important to point out that organizational skills enables public health leaders to conclude health interventions as well as other activities aimed at improving public health timely and also account for allocated resources (Coles and Porter, 2008). Advocacy skills Loue (2006) defines advocacy as instigating activities or manners of conduct in a bid to manipulate a course of action. A leader in a public health organization should be able to speak out and influence positive change within the community in terms of health. He should also have the ability and courage to speak against negative behaviours and activities within the community that can risk the health of community members. It is important to posit that a public health leader also ought to be able to incorporate technology in advocacy. There are various platforms through which advocacy within the community can be conducted such as through the social media, television, and news papers or magazines. In other words, comprehending the role of the social media and others channels of advocacy is important in improving public health as people will be able to access appropriate information. Communication and interpersonal skills It is important for public health leaders to have effective communication skills. In fact, health care leaders ought to comprehend the arrangement and constitution of their organization in order to make out or identify individuals who might be impacted by various pronouncements. Therefore, they must be able to communicate in a comprehensible, effortless, and well defined manner. Well-timed, truthful, and clear communication is important in health care management as it helps to minimize mistakes or blunders. According to Barakat (2007), interpersonal skills are necessary or vital abilities important for public health leaders in associating with colleagues or employees. Having good interpersonal skills is important as it may minimize the chances of health care professionals being sued in courts of law as a result of blunders, helps establish a sociable and welcoming atmosphere for both individuals seeking health care and also employees, and helps elevate the level of productivity within the organization. Ability to manage change Due to the changing dynamics in health care, it is important for leaders to have the skills necessary in managing change. According to Ginter (2013), "Successful health care organizations have leaders who understand the nature and implications of external change, the ability to develop effective strategies that account for change, and the will as well as the ability to actively manage the momentum of the organization" (n.p). Additionally, Ginter (2013) asserts that change within a health care institution is an essential component of accomplishments. In the course of identifying aspects within the institution that require change, and as well implementing the change generates new opportunities for achievements. This also creates new challenges for health care professionals, and optimistic expectations for individuals seeking treatment. In laymans terms, it is crucial for individuals managing public health care organizations to comprehend changes happening around them and subsequently have the abilities to react to them. Problem solving skills Just like in any other organizations, public health leaders are faced with difficult situations that require prompt and effective decisions to be made. Effective problem solving skills are important for health care managers as they assist them in identifying various issues affecting their institutions. In addition, effective problem solving skills are important as they help health care managers to comprehend or understand the needs of each and every employee, and also assists them in assessing or appraising health care problems (Ginter, 2013). It is worth noting that effective problem solving skills enable health care managers to decide on alternatives to health care issues, and as well concur on eventualities, supervise alternatives implemented, and assess their outcome (Agarwal, 2007). Motivation skills Public Health leader ought to have abilities to motivate employees as well as other stakeholders involved in public health care. The exploitation of available resources within a public health organization is dependent on employees enthusiasm and readiness to work. Through motivation, leaders are able to obtain preeminent results from employees. Practically each and every health institution or organization has its own objectives. Therefore, the ability of a health care manager to motivate his or her employees helps them accomplish their intended goals or objectives. Motivated employees in the health care sector are also able to execute their duties in an ethical manner, and also ensures employees allegiance to the institution (Ginter, 2013). In the long run, this leads to improved productivity. Delegation It is also of significance for health care managers to have the abilities to delegate duties effectively. According to Agarwal (2007); Since a manager is responsible for the performance of such a large variety of tasks, activities and functions that he cannot perform them all by himself, he assigns a part of his work to his subordinates. In doing so, he keeps with himself those tasks and functions which he considers crucial to his goal accomplishment, and transfers to his subordinates less important work which he need not do himself (p. 161). This means that a public health leaders ought to be able to identify duties that can be handled by each and every employee and then delegate. He should have the ability to recognize quarters within the organization that necessitate excellence in terms of attaining organizational goals, sectors within the institution that poor productivity can jeopardize outcomes, and essential ethics and principles imperative to the organization. The ability to recognize these issues is important as they help these leaders recognize duties that can be delegated (Agarwal, 2007). Collaboration skills and cultural competency For public health interventions to attain or accomplish their intended objectives, there must be the involvement of local leaders, community members, as well as other stakeholders within the community such community based organizations. Therefore, it is important for public health leaders to have the ability to mobilize community members and integrate them in public health activities. Having the support off local leaders and community members is important as they are the recipients of all health care interventions within the community. Leaders in public health organizations deal with people from diverse backgrounds every day (Ginter, 2013). Dealing with such groups of people requires one to comprehend or understand the cultural backgrounds of each of the members of these groups. Conclusion A leader in a public health organization ought to have the ability to mobilize community members and other stakeholders in public health in all activities. Subsequently, he should also have the ability to identify roles or duties that should be delegated to subordinate staff for effective management. In addition he should have motivational skills as this is a determiner of productivity in any organization. Other important skills that a leader in a public health organization ought to have include problem solving skills, ability to manage change, effective communication and interpersonal skills, organization skills, and project management skills. Other than these skills, it is also important for a leader in a public health organization to have advocacy skills in order to effectively advocate for positive change, and also against negative change. References Agarwal, R. D. (2007). Organization and Management. New Delhi, India: McGraw Hill. Barakat, N. G. (2007). Interpersonal Skills. Libyan Journal of Medicine, 2(3): 152-153. Coles, L., & Porter, E. (2008). Public Health Skills: A Practical Guide for Nurses and Public Health Practitioners. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing. Ginter, P. M. (2013). The Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Loue, S. (2006). Community health advocacy: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(6): 458-463. 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