Developmental health services leadership: Integrating hierarchical and shared leadership for health services organizational learning

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to articulate a model of, as well as a call to action for, health services leadership, with a particular emphasis on the role of health services leadership in organizational learning. More specifically, I articulate a model that poses two antecedents of health services hierarchical leadership—leader responsibility disposition and environmental cues—as important predictors of empowering leadership. In turn, I assert that empowering leadership from above will engender an inclination toward shared leadership among followers. Subsequently, I venture that both empowering hierarchical leadership and shared leadership are precursors of health services organizational learning. I specify several research directions for future scholarship. More importantly, I identify multiple measures that policy makers and practitioners can take to enhance health services leadership and organizational learning.