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
Introduction[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- 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[1]
Defining Leadership Style, Leadership Theory and Leadership Competency[edit | edit source]
Leadership competency refers to a single leadership skill, such as conflict management.[1]
Leadership theory is when a number of leadership competencies or skills are grouped together. Examples include trait theory, contingency theory etc.[1][2]
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.[1]
Leadership Approaches[edit | edit source]
This page will discuss eight common leadership approaches:
- Transformational
- Transactional
- Charismatic
- Servant
- Laissez-Faire (Delegative)
- Authoritarian (Autocratic)
- Participative (Democratic)
- Coaching