Creating Leaders: Bringing Out the Best in Health-Care Providers
What makes somehealthcare workers “go the extra mile” in their work when others do not?Answering this question is critical to designing interventions aimed atimproving the selection and development of future healthcare leaders.
As Canada Research Chairin Organizational Behaviour and Human Performance, Dr. Rick Hackett is tryingto identify the attributes and behaviours that create the kind of leaders who motivatetheir staff to consistently exceed formal role requirements, and whose behavioursfoster individual and collective well-being.
Hackett and his researchteam are studying the effects of leadership over time and across all levels—individual,team and organization. They are then blending qualitative and quantitative approachesto collecting and analyzing data to better understand what makes one person a morelikely leader. They are also measuring, developing and discerning the impact ofleader character as a way to come up with concrete tools to strengthenleadership in the healthcare sector.
Ultimately, Hackett’sresearch will benefit the healthcare sector through improved employeewell-being, staff retention, operational efficiencies, cost savings and better patientcare.