Leadership Style Paradigm Shift in Hospital Industry: Need of the Day, in Comparison with Hospitality Industry

Abstract

Importance: Current hospital leaders struggle to find leadership style which is beneficial and suitable to face the challenges present in the organization. Limited literature and lack of evidence on leadership styles related to the hospital and healthcare industry leave them directionless. Scarcity of training from the leadership point of view and lack of leadership models and lack of evidence on ‘which leadership style is most suitable and beneficial’ in the hospital industry, especially in the Indian context, increase the need for the current study. Objective: To understand and compare the leadership styles adopted by the top and middle level leaders from the hospital and hotel industry. Methodology: Quantitative study design, that is, survey, was used in this study. Survey tool consisted of structure items on 10 leadership styles with five-point Likert scale. A total of 41 top and middle level leaders from hospital and hotel industry participated in this study. Results: The study addressed issues pertaining to leadership, suggesting a paradigm change in hospital industry in relation to leadership style. Results showed that male leaders dominated the top and middle level leadership positions in both industries. Hospital leaders were older and more qualified and experienced as compared to those in hotel industry. Leaders reported using all 10 leadership styles from low to high levels. As each leadership style has its own strengths and weaknesses, adopting a combination of multiple leadership styles as per the need strengthens the overall output. Conclusion: Mixed leadership style needs to be adopted by the hospital leaders.