The role of healthcare leadership is to lead and inspire those around you. But it begins with our ability as leaders to know and understand our authentic selves first. It is vital that we develop these behavioral skills so that we can embrace our greatest leadership asset of authenticity. The choices I make, how I react and the way I communicate are factors that will affect my long-term success as an authentic and effective leader As a leader, I tend to adopt a collaborator leadership style because I am perceptive about the needs of others, and primarily focused on creating a team-first approach to leadership (West, K., Stixrud, E., Reger, B., 2015). Building teams are very important to me as a leader, and I am focused on developing my leadership skills and those around me by placing them in roles where they as individuals and the team will excel. All team members share the credit for team success. I think that the key for leaders to use the leadership style that they feel most authentic to them, thus building on what comes naturally will help you to be a more effective lead My leadership purpose is to serve as an ethical, and authentic leader, live a balanced life, and to inspire others to be more than they thought they could be. To lead others, I believe that you must have a strong sense of, who you are and what you stand for in life. It is essential that we surround ourselves with the right people that have complementary strengths and can offer diverse perspectives to create the best environment for people to learn and grow. “Research reveals that when we believe a leader is the real deal, a person of integrity and character, we are much more likely to go the extra mile and stand by them in the best and worst of times” (Tardancio, 2011). Living with authenticity requires that you stay true to yourself and remain resilient in upholding your core values. As leaders, it is important to listen to the opinions of others, but it is the ability to trust yourself above all else, is how to lead a life with authenticity. Also, it is essential to take care of yourself, live in the present moment and continue to learn and grow. One of my favorite quotes from Oscar Wilde illustrates this perfectly, “Be Yourself - Everyone Else is Already Taken" (Goodreads, n.d.). I have gained so many insights from this course on how to lead with authenticity, finding my true north and the importance of learning to fail forward. I have learned that the primary role of leadership is to direct change while building a strong and positive culture. Also, the most effective leaders understand the adversity is a given, so they embrace it, learn from it and continue to move toward their goal. There are several strategies that I learned from this course that I will adapt to enhance my leadership skills. I must lead by following my purpose, my vision for the future to keep learning and growing, no matter the setbacks that I encounter. “Writing a personal vision statement is a very powerful, often life-changing exercise because it focuses, informs and illuminates your way forward” (Tardancio, 2011). Conclusion I believe that anyone can aspire to be a great leader, but only those that understand that effective leadership requires an inward perspective, as well as the ability to recognize your authentic tendencies, strengths, and use these into the way you interact, communicate and influence others will be the key to success. Successful leaders understand that change is constant so developing your most authentic leadership style will help you to navigate this complex world of healthcare.
