Leadership Challenges Research Articles

Leadership Training in Medicine-12 Years of Experience From the Feagin Leadership Program.

Increasingly, physicians find themselves in demanding leadership positions. However, leadership education for medical trainees remains lacking with most physicians reporting that they are ill-equipped to tackle the challenges of leadership. Here, we set out to describe the Feagin Leadership Program (FLP) and assess its reception and impact on trainees over the past 12 years. During the 1-year FLP, selected scholars from Duke University, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina participate in five leadership sessions, individual coaching, a leadership forum, and a multidisciplinary team-based capstone project. A 28-question survey with six optional free-response questions was distributed to the Feagin Alumni Network, and descriptive statistics were assessed. Since its founding, 212 scholars have graduated from the FLP and 117 (55%) alumni have gone on to surgical specialties. A survey was distributed among all Feagin alumni. A total of 56 (26%) surveys were completed. Forty-three percent (n = 24) had held at least one leadership position since completing the FLP. When asked about the impact of their experience, 96% (n = 54) said that the program encouraged them to pursue a position of leadership within their field, 95% (n = 53) stated that it prepared them for such a position, and 93% (n = 52) stated that the program positively influenced their decision to be involved with current or future positions of leadership. Over the last 12 years, the FLP has demonstrated a high perceived impact on personal growth, leadership proficiency, and the decision to pursue leadership positions in medicine. The current dearth of leadership education for surgical trainees can best be addressed with models such as the FLP, with adoption benefiting medical trainees, the medical community, and patients they serve.

Scientific Socialism; A Panacea For Poor Leadership Situation In Nigeria

Humans are significantly inconsequential, socio-political, paranormal entities with gregarious natural impulses that are polymorphously perversed. Going by human natural quest, to live with one another in harmony within a space (State), it becomes exigent for human unpredictable nature to be properly regulated for peace to prevail. Unfortunately, the Nigerian State is faced with serious leadership challenges as witnessed in every sphere of Her nation. This paper observed that humans by nature are inherently corrupt, and the need for the use of formidable force (Scientific Socialism) to regulate every sphere of society cannot be overemphasized. Hence, the paper through the historical dialectical method uncovered that other forms of socialist ideology are good; however, Marx's scientific socialist ideology is more efficacious in bringing about a more radical revolutionary change that could overhaul the entire socio-political scheme of things in a contemporary Nigerian leadership situation.

Instructional Leadership Challenges in Public Secondary Schools in Sudan

The study aimed to investigate Instructional Leadership Challenges in Public Secondary Schools in Sudan, North Kordufan State; Shekan Locality (Elobeid city). In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive survey method was employed. The population of the study was 451 teachers and 12 Principals. From this population, 222 teachers and 12 principals were used as a sample using simple random and comprehensive sampling techniques. Data collected from respondents were analyzed and interpreted using percentages, a one-sample t-test, and a weighted mean. The findings revealed that there are significant challenges for instructional leadership such as school dropout due to the living and economic conditions and the delay of some teachers for classes because of transportation. Lack of financial support has been a cause for inadequate educational facilities and laboratories and a poor school environment. On top of the findings, recommendations are forwarded to address the gaps encountered in the instructional leadership practices which mainly focusing on empowering principals, teachers, and schools.

Kanne Lobal: A conceptual framework relating education and leadership partnerships in the Marshall Islands

Kanne Lobal: A conceptual framework relating education and leadership partnerships in the Marshall Islands

Dutch boards governing multiple schools: navigating between autonomy and expectations

ABSTRACT Over the last decade the governance of primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands has by no means become simpler. This paper sketches recent policy developments and their consequences for the leadership of Boards of Multiple Schools (BMSs) and their school leaders. Thereof we describe the challenges BMSs in the Netherlands currently face to enhance educational quality. However, the existence of a wide variety of school board types and a lack of research into BMSs prevent a solid evidence base on how the leadership of school boards contributes to improving the quality of education in the schools they run. As the interaction between school leaders and boards is understudied we make a plea for a research agenda that does justice to challenges for school leadership in multi-school systems.

Breaking the Cycle: Women's Perceptions of the Causes of Violence and Crime in Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, and Their Strategies for Response and Prevention.

Crime and violence are serious issues in informal settlements around the world. To date, there is a dearth of evidence about the causes of and effective strategies for reducing and preventing violence and crime in informal settlements in cities in the Global South. Additionally, women's voices are often absent from research focused on violence and crime prevention and reduction in informal settlements. The purpose of this study, therefore, was (1) to identify potential causes of violence and crime in informal settlements, as perceived by women living in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya and (2) to highlight residents' strategies for response and prevention. Fifty-five in-depth and walk-along interviews were conducted with women living in Mathare in 2015-2016. A modified grounded theory approach was used to guide data collection and analysis. The most common contributor to violence and crime identified by women in Mathare was idle youth, but leadership and government challenges, corruption and/or inadequacy of police, community barriers, tribalism, and lack of protective infrastructure also emerged as contributing factors. Despite facing many economic, environmental, and day-to-day challenges, women in Mathare identified violence and crime as predominant issues; thus, developing effective response and prevention strategies to these issues is paramount. Women discussed many strategies and initiatives to reduce and prevent violence and crime in informal settlements, but also identified barriers to implementing them. Findings suggest there is a need for trust-building between formal and informal sectors of the community, systems of accountability, and long-term investment to foster sustainable and effective violence and crime response and prevention in these settlements.

Navigating Leadership Challenges in a Polycentric World

Polycentric leadership is a growing issue in the global missions movement. The focus of this article is to help readers understand polycentrism broadly and examine what it means for those seeking to lead fruitfully in God’s mission. Examples will be provided to illustrate what polycentric leadership can look like. Biblical and theological convictions that shape leaders who work out of this paradigm will be examined. The reality of tension points experienced by people who desire to lead from this paradigm will be explored, as well as practical strategies and insights for those who have to navigate these tensions in their missional journeys. Through bringing together these different threads, the goal is for this article is to provide both academic insights and practical assistance for anyone who cares deeply about God’s work around the world and desires to lead fruitfully in a polycentric mission context.

Healthassist, Inc.: leading through a pandemic

Case study abstract The purpose of this case study is to illustrate how Dianne Savastano, founder and CEO of Healthassist, Inc., a US-based health-care advocacy firm, successfully led her clients and team through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. To gather the data for this case study, the authors interviewed the protagonists, the members of her team and two clients. The authors read Healthassist Newsletters and the firm’s documents; and in fact, they included one Newsletter and several documents in the Exhibits of the case study. The authors conducted a literature review for articles in newspapers and journals about the newly developing field of “health-care advocacy,” a field which Savastano helped to create. Findings of the case study The authors illustrate how Savastano, using the five practices of exemplary leadership by Kouzes and Posner, in The Leadership Challenge, led her team through the pandemic of 2020. This is a story of a woman leader, using traits such as warmth, empathy, analysis and decisiveness, keeps her small business afloat when so many other firms collapsed in 2020. Research The authors conducted seven interviews and literature searches on the topics of health-care advocacy; women leaders; leading through a crisis; and COVID-19. Practical implications The case study illustrates how a woman founder and CEO can lead her firm through a crisis. Value of the case study This is an example of how a woman leader managed through the 2020 pandemic. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship

The Effect of Self Leadership on Entrepreneurship Development in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Transformational leaders create a strategic vision, communicate that vision through enclosing and use of symbol, model the vision by “walking the talk” and acting consistently, and build commitment towards the vision. Entrepreneurial leadership is still essential in SMEs because the development of micro-entrepreneurs’ businesses would not be successful without demonstrating leadership traits that are effect This could perhaps be the reason as to why themes on micro-enterprises are successfully developed widely amid business developers and researchers, particularly for those keenly interested in determining a formula that defines successful micro-entrepreneurship. The study’s specific objective is to determine the effect of self-leadership on entrepreneuship development. The primary data was collected from direct responses from listed SMEs by using structured questionnaire with 412 respondents as a sample size for the study. The collected data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze and interpret the data in this research. Specifically, descriptive statistics related to means, frequencies, percentages and trend analysis were used in this study. The findings show that self-leadership has a significant impact on SMEs development. This study can improve the performance and sustainability of Nigerian SMEs, thus increasing their capacity to create employment. Subsequently, the study recommends that management of SMEs should adopt good strategy in order to overcome leadership challenges.

Advancing leadership in Australasian emergency medicine: Taking stock and looking ahead.

Since 2018, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine has collaborated with the Swinburne University of Technology on a research project to understand and enhance the leadership capacity of emergency physicians, beginning with Australasian Directors of Emergency Medicine (DEMs). Over the last 3 years, this research programme has revealed the complexity of leadership in emergency medicine, illuminating the strengths and limitations of extant research and suggesting promising new directions for emergency medicine leadership and leadership development research. This programme has also shed new light on the knowledge, skills and abilities that DEMs need to develop to catalyse change in the systems where DEMs practice both medicine and leadership. We propose that an approach to leadership development that reflects the diversity of DEMs' leadership challenges and the complexity of leadership in emergency medicine would go a long way to enhancing the sophistication, effectiveness and impact of the leadership in emergency medicine.

The introduction of care robots as a leadership challenge in home care facilities in Finland.

AimsThis paper analyses the factors that influence home care employees’ intention to introduce robots.BackgroundThe introduction of different kinds of care robots is a topical issue in elderly care now and in the near future.MethodsCross‐sectional research conducted through a questionnaire. The survey data (N = 162) were collected in five locations around Finland in 2019. The analysis was carried out by regression analysis, Sobel test and by Hayes’ bootstrapping method.ResultsThe results show that self‐efficacy is pivotal in the willingness to introduce care robots. Employees’ age increases the enthusiasm to introduce robots but reduces self‐efficacy. Work engagement does not correlate with self‐efficacy or behavioural intention related to the introduction of care robots.ConclusionsThe present paper reveals the significance of attitudes, cognitive factors and age in the adoption of care robots in home care facilities.Practical implicationsIt is important to pay attention to supporting the employees’ sense of technology management and the construction of a robot‐positive atmosphere when introducing care robots, and the development of skills of older employees and employees with a lower educational level should be supported.

Exploring Possibilities and Challenges of Instructional Leadership in Challenging Times

Exploring Possibilities and Challenges of Instructional Leadership in Challenging Times

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICAL HARMONY, RULE OF LAW AND IMPLICATIONS ON HUMAN SECURITY IN ZIMBABWE


 
 
 Human security has recently emerged as a global issue that requires international cooperation. Moreso, the concepts of political harmony and rule of law have also become a common agenda at many international conferences. Human insecurity in Zimbabwe can be dated back to its colonial past. The colonisation of Zimbabwe by Britain was widely viewed as an attempt by colonisers to introduce a type of monocracy. That marked the initial obstruction to human security for the indigenous people and general lack of cohesion amongst social groups. Currently, Zimbabwe is facing socio-economic challenges which are embedded in the political environment linked to its isolation from the international community through imposition of sanctions for top politicians. The overall objective of this research was to assess philosophical perspectives on the current political situation and rule of law in Zimbabwe and their implications on human security. The research sought to identify the political leadership challenges in addressing human security concerns. To achieve these research objectives, an interdisciplinary approach was used. The methodology for this paper was based on hermeneutics and philosophical analytical models. Results have shown that there is generally an unstable political environment marred with inherent tension due to lack of political harmony and selective application of the law. This paper recommends the need for leadership renewal besides the ideological renewal alongside dialogue and national consensus. Furthermore, the adoption of global village concept emphasizing on democratic principles and political integration could be a possible panacea in addressing the current challenges and ensure human security.
 
 
 

How we rose to the leadership challenges of COVID-19

How we rose to the leadership challenges of COVID-19

Challenges of Remote Leadership in a Digitalized Working World 4.0

Abstract The digital transformation of industry is driving the advance of agile work structures and, in particular, home office working. This article examines the question of what effect the physical distance of employees from the company has on its productivity and innovation potential, and what challenges are posed to a remote leadership.

Modeling barriers of digital manufacturing in a circular economy for enhancing sustainability

PurposeCircular economy denotes future sustainability that allows optimum utilization of resources. In the present era of technology, plenty of innovations are happening across the world, and digital manufacturing is one of such innovations. However, there are several barriers which are impeding adoption of digital manufacturing in circular economy environment. The study explores the barriers of digital manufacturing initiatives in a circular economy and develops a methodological model to prioritize the identified challenges for automotive parts manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachSeven categories of challenges namely process, human resources, financial, collaboration, technological, security and leadership challenges were identified from literature and further validated with subsequent discussions with experts from the industry. The study is conducted in two phases, where in the first phase, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is used to define the priority and importance of seven categories of challenges. In second phase, the barriers are ranked using a Fuzzy Performance Important Index (FPII), taking into account contextual factors associated with the challenges and linked barriers, to determine the extent to which they impede the adoption of digital manufacturing in the sample automotive parts manufacturing company.FindingsThe “risk of data security and information privacy in connection with use of external data and protecting customer data” appeared as the most significant barrier to digital manufacturing in circular economy. Furthermore, technological challenges emerged as the most significant category of challenges followed by financial challenges in adoption of digital manufacturing in circular economy.Practical implicationsIdentification of the identified barriers and understanding the interrelationships will lead to easier adoption of digital manufacturing in circular economy.Originality/valueDespite all the potential benefits of implementing Industry 4.0 technologies in manufacturing industries, the adoption thereof is still in nascent phase with significant challenges yet to be overcome to accelerate the pace of adoption. Hence, this study explores the barriers preventing companies from adopting and benefiting from digital manufacturing initiatives and further develops a methodological model.

Islands in the stream: Indigenous academic perceptions of Indigenous senior leadership role

ABSTRACT While the number of Indigenous people holding senior positions across the Australian higher education sector is steadily increasing, understanding the value and subsequent contribution of senior Indigenous leaders is an area that has not been investigated in significant detail previously. Commencing in 2018, the Walan Mayiny: Indigenous Leadership in Higher Education project set out to examine the roles and responsibilities of senior Indigenous appointments. This article outlines the value of such positions through centring the voices of Indigenous academic staff. More specifically, findings reported in this article pertain to the perceived value, perceived characteristics and the perceived challenges of Indigenous leadership across the sector. Three sets of values are identified by Indigenous academics to be critical to Indigenous leadership: ‘visibility, voice and advocacy’, ‘decision making and action’, and ‘institutional accountability’. In terms of characteristics, Indigenous academics believe senior Indigenous leaders need to be resilient, be committed to the wider Indigenous community and also have the ability to create and communicate a vision. There are a number of key challenges facing senior Indigenous leaders such as the significant scope of the role, racism, and in some cases the value of the role is not understood and considered tokenistic. Through better understanding the nuances associated with these positions, the sector can best serve Indigenous staff and students, as well as the broader academy.

Inclusive leadership and women in public relations: defining the meaning, functions, and relationships

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to introduce inclusive leadership as a new theoretical framework to understand its meaning and functions in advancing gender equalities and empowerment in public relations leadership. By proposing an inclusive leadership theoretical model, we explored the roles of inclusive leadership in fostering an organization’s diversity climate and facilitating its practice of participative leadership in empowering women in public relations to reach their full potential in leadership advancement. Moreover, our results confirmed both direct and indirect impacts inclusive leadership could have on women’s perceptions of continued career growth opportunities. Our findings provide theoretical implications and practical solutions to address women’s leadership challenges through an inclusive leadership lens.

Power, politics and policing: how the pandemic has highlighted fractures and fault lines in our society

This paper considers the issues of policing in the pandemic and describes the relationship between the use of power within society with political systems and the ways in which police outcomes are achieved. The year 2020 created a unique opportunity to reflect upon the way policing systems are structured and how this affects the whole of society, and this paper looks at how the dynamics of race and oppression played into this. The risk for policing is that it fails to make use of its community assets to engage effectively with the community, and becomes reliant on the use of blunt tools and force. This paper concludes that the challenge for police leadership is defined by how society (and their forces) manage issues of fairness to reduce the amount of force and violence in society and ensure the state is there to protect all citizens.

Regional transport infrastructure programmes in Africa: what factors influence their performance?

ABSTRACT Regional transport infrastructure programmes require collaborative arrangements between countries and stakeholders. We study the performance of three African programmes, looking at factors influencing their success. The extent to which collaborative arrangements and other factors contribute to project implementation and the reasons for differences in performance of these programmes are examined. The analysis demonstrates the interactions of actors with different interests, values, power and knowledge and exposes hurdles in project preparation. It reveals ineffective institutional arrangements, inadequate and unsustainable funding, leadership challenges and weak ownership that compromise project implementation. It also reveals that availability of dedicated funds, well-defined monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and strong political leadership contribute more to programme implementation than do equality in decision-making and clarity of roles and responsibilities. These factors and variations in the strength of the various collaborative arrangements across programmes suggest that a one-size-fits-all solution for accelerated implementation of programmes does not exist.