Leading in Rehabilitation - Select the Leadership Approach

Original Editor - Jess Bell based on the course by Jason Giesbrecht

Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Kim Jackson and Ewa Jaraczewska  

This article or area is currently under construction and may only be partially complete. Please come back soon to see the finished work! (4/04/2022)

Introduction

There is often a gap between knowing about leadership and actually doing the leading. Bridging this gap can help people in informal and formal leadership roles become capable and influential leaders in rehabilitation. Leaders must be able to:

• Assess the situation
• Select an appropriate leadership approach
• Implement the leadership approach
• Reflect on and learn from the experience

This page focuses specifically on the second step of selecting the optimal leadership approach, based on your assessment of the situation around you.

Leadership Myths

• One leadership approach is the best
• All effective leaders are created at birth
• Leader’s have all the answers
• There is a leadership style that works in all circumstances
• Great leaders are always in the spotlight
• Leadership is about position or rank
• The leader is always in the front
• All true leaders are charismatic
• Effective leaders achieve results through control and authority
• The best leaders have the most education

Defining Leadership Style, Leadership Theory and Leadership Competency

Leadership competency refers to a single leadership skill, such as conflict management.

Leadership theory is when a number of leadership competencies or skills are grouped together. Examples include trait theory, contingency theory etc.

Leadership style, approach, framework or model all refer to the way in which a leader has chosen to lead (e.g. servant leadership). It involves a number of leadership characteristics. In this page, these terms are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.

Leadership Approaches

This page will discuss eight common leadership approaches:

• Transformational
• Transactional
• Charismatic
• Servant
• Laissez-Faire (Delegative)
• Authoritarian (Autocratic)
• Participative (Democratic)
• Coaching

Transformational Leadership Approach

“Transformational leaders, on the other hand, generally favour open cultures, organic structures, adaptable systems and flexible procedures. Accordingly, they seek to encourage creativity, change, experimentation and risk-taking.”

Transformational leaders demonstrate authentic, visionary leadership that inspires followers to achieve.

The key components of transformational leadership are:

• Individualised consideration
  • The leader considers, and listens to their followers' needs, acting as a mentor or coach
• Idealised influence
  • The leader acts as a role model for ethical behaviour. They establish pride, and are able to gain respect and trust
• Inspirational motivation
  • The leader creates a vision that appeals to and inspires followers
• Intellectual stimulation
  • The leader challenges assumptions, takes risk, asks for their followers ideas and encourages creativity

Transactional Leadership Approach

“Transactional leadership is characterized by the use of contingent rewards and sanctions, i.e. rewards and sanctions that are linked to employee behaviours, efforts, or results.”

Transactional leadership focuses on the role of supervision, organisation, structure, process, and  performance; the leader achieves follower compliance through rewards and punishments:

• Directive and action oriented
• Focused on maintaining the status quo
• Rewards effort and good performance
• Corrects or punishes to improve performance
• Power comes from formal authority or position
• Followers are expected to obey instructions

Charismatic Leadership Approach

'Charismatic leadership is thus defined as “values-based, symbolic, and emotion-laden leader signaling”'.

In charismatic leadership, the leader’s authority is derived from their charm, persuasiveness, and charisma:

• Leaders are skilled communicators (verbally eloquent)
• They connect with and influence followers on a deeply emotional level with a passion for a vision
• They use their engaging personality and effective communication style to gain the admiration, inspiration, and motivation of followers

Servant Leadership Approach

“Servant leadership is a holistic leadership approach that engages followers in multiple dimensions (e.g., relational, ethical, emotional, spiritual), such that they are empowered to grow into what they are capable of becoming.”

In servant leadership, the leader exists to serve; helping others to develop and perform:

• Servant leaders share power and put the needs of their followers first
• They acknowledge other people's perspectives, offer support, collaborate with followers in decisions, and build a sense of community within the team
• They value people, humility, listening, trusting, caring, integrity, serving others before oneself, collaboration, and learning