Assignment Task:
Option 1:
In Chapter 9 and 10, we discussed the topics of trait, behavioral, and contingency theories of leadership. There is the trite saying, "Good is the Enemy of Great." In this paper, you need to a theory that exemplifies some of the positive traits, attributes, and behaviors of a great healthcare leader(s). You also need to consider the downside of these possible traits. You have to justify any traits, attributes, and/or behaviors using established theories.
Make sure that you describe their attributes and behaviors in detail and justify their use through theory. What type of leadership styling would an effective leader display (i.e. telling, selling, participating, delegating) and why? In order to get full credit, you will need weave theory in and out of your paper to support your findings. This paper cannot just be based solely on your opinion; it has to be supported using theory. You will have to justify their behaviors or attributes as being positive or negative through existing theory.
Do your answers identify traits or behaviors? Which, traits or behaviors, do you personally view as effective as it relates to leadership. Describe how these behaviors can be promoted or curtailed in our current healthcare environment.
Possible Deliverables for Option 1:
1. Describe the most common traits or behaviors of effective and non-effective leaders in healthcare
2. Identify specific theories that may elaborate on positive or negative leadership qualities
3. Describe why certain behaviors or traits may be more prevalent than others in healthcare environments
4. Through the use of theory find ways to substantiate your position
5. Explore some of the challenges and opportunities as it relates to promoting leadership qualities in healthcare
6. Describe the current environment as it relates to leadership and what traits / behaviors have been identified as being proactive
Option 2:
In Chapter 11, we discussed contemporary theories of leadership. For this assignment, you will need to compare / contrast the similarities and differences of transactional and transformational theories of leadership. Discuss the appropriateness of each style in the modern healthcare environment. List the positive and negative outcomes that can arise from each leadership approach. Take into account the current healthcare environment and the factors that are influencing healthcare providers, such as, changing regulation, globalization, technology, patient engagement, and/or empowerment.
Possible Deliverables for Option 2:
1. What does the healthcare environment look like currently? Which leadership style do you believe is appropriate for organizational success in today's market? Justify your response with facts and figures.
2. In what context is each leadership style appropriate?
3. What benefits arise with each leadership style?
4. What are the cons that arise with each leadership style?
5. Identify strategies justify the chosen leadership role(s)- using established theories
Option 3:
In Chapter 12, we talked about stress. Stress is a common phenomenon in healthcare. Write about stress in healthcare and the impact it can have on employees, organizational performance, the delivery of patient care, etc. Identify and describe the different kinds of stress that can occur. Discuss why stress in a healthcare environment may be more of a pressing issue as compared to other industries (be sure to address factors, such as, professional hierarchy, personalities, ethnicity, gender, etc.). Describe if/ how employee burnout ( due to stress) is impacting the delivery of care. Find a theory to explore the issue of stress. Once you have written about stress in the workplace, identify some best practices to alleviate the negative effects of stress in the workplace. How should managers behave so that employees experience less stress on the job? Ground all your work in existing theory. What strategies can the organization use so that the employees experience less stress on the job? This write-up has to be supported by current facts and literature.
Possible Deliverables for Option 3
1. What does the healthcare environment look like currently?
2. Why is stress more prevalent in healthcare? What impact can it have on an organization, employees, and patients?
3. Define stress - when is it good and when is it bad?
4. What can administrators do to address employee stress? What can employees do to better manage stress?
5. Using established theories to describe stress in a healthcare environment
Option 4:
In Chapter 13, we explored decision making. In your life, there are times when you have made good decisions. At the time of the decision, you knew that it was a good decision. There are also times that you have made bad decisions. Using a theoretical framework highlight the processes that ultimately lead you to a good decision.
For this paper, create a professional white-paper that would tell administrators how to make the best decisions, highlighting the theory that outlines how to develop and implement good decision(s). Also address, the areas that can sabotage effective decision making. What steps can you recommend to keep the decision making process on track. Utilize existing theory to substantiate your work.
Possible Deliverables for Option 4:
Highlight the decision making process using theory - outline the particular steps necessary for good and bad decisions
1. Outline the steps that hospital administrators need to do when making effective decisions
2. Identify the pitfalls and barriers to effective decision making.
3. Identify and describe the factors that can contribute to effective decision making
4. Tie these processes to existing theory or existing decision making-frameworks
Option 5:
In Chapter 14, we introduced the idea of conflict management and negotiation skills.
In this paper, identify what conflict is and provide an example of conflict that can arise in a healthcare setting. Using theory, describe how this conflict experience fits into the four basics types of conflict.
1. Describe this example of conflict using the different levels of conflict. Develop strategies on how to identify conflicts and how to successfully review them. It may help to highlight the five conflict-handling modes. Use this exploration of conflict and theory as a way for future leaders to best handle/avoid conflict in the future.
Possible Deliverables for Option 5:
1. Highlight the processes of conflict and conflict resolution - using theory to describe the process
2. Outline the steps that individuals should use to resolve conflict situations
3. Identify the factors that contribute to conflict
4. Identify and describe the factors that lead to effective conflict resolution
5. Tie your conflict experience to existing theory or conflict frameworks
Option 6:
Chapter 15 and 16, we explored Groups and Group Dynamics. In this topic imagine a poor group decision. Identify what contributed to the group's poor decision? Did the group think of alternative possibilities? Did the group move too quickly through any of the development stages? Identify a theory that may explain the groups actions.
For this paper, you need to use theory to explore and explain group decision making in depth. Discuss the process and steps to effective decision making. Identify the root cause of the issue (i.e. poor communication or lack of cooperation). Identify steps and mechanisms that should have been put in place to prevent this bad outcome. Justify your actions with established literature and theory. Essentially, you must suggest an outline on how for healthcare teams to avoid poor decisions and utilize positive behavioral techniques.
Possible Deliverables for Option 6:
1. Explore the importance and challenges of group decision making in a healthcare setting
2. Describe the process of group decision making using a theoretical basis
3. Find unique ways that group decision making could be improved
4. Explore barriers to effective groups and how you will address and overcome these issues
Option 7:
In Chapter 17, we discussed issues of teams and team building. In this paper, you need to first address why teams and groups are not the same. Explore the existing literature to describe some of the most effective types of teams that are used in today's healthcare environment. Describe any changing trends in the use of teams in effective organizations and how the changing healthcare environment may facilitate or hinder the use of teams (i.e. traditional work-teams, self-managing teams, virtual teams). Describe ways that you as a manager can help build effective teams and overcome the barriers to team effectiveness.
Based on organizational theories, are there any other items that should be addressed to make successful teams.
Possible Deliverables for Option 7:
1. Address the changing healthcare landscape and why teams may be more critical than ever.
2. What facilitates the development of effective teams? What can derail teams?
3. Describe teams and team building using a theoretical framework
Option 8:
In healthcare we have a multigenerational workforce. Hospital leaders need to learn to adapt to the different expectations and deliverables of a multi-generational workforce. These differences may lead to a breakdown in communication. You need to explore the issues that issues and impact that the multigenerational workforce may have on this issue is having and to try to help the organization become more cohesive. Identify and write about a theory or framework that may help the organization better deal with a multigenerational workforce.
Possible Deliverables for Option 8:
1. Which type of Organizational Development intervention is the leadership using in this situation?
2. What obstacles do you see in this situation that may make this intervention more difficult than other types?
3. What recommendations do you have for this situation?
4. What other interpersonal issues exist in organizations besides generational issues that may create a need for an OD intervention?
The Submission Requirement:
Your submission in its entirety must be between 2,500-3,000 words -this EXCLUDES the reference, title, and abstract. The 2,500 to 3,000 words is only the body of the work.
It is to be typed (or pasted) directly into Turn-It In. Given the length of the submission, it is advised that students prepare it in a word processing program, and when finalized, copy and paste the text into the Turnitin.
When you submit your work -you need to name your paper as your name (last name, first name) and the title. For example, my submission would be "Lad, Joe-Sample Paper."