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Collegue1SammyT.pptxHas Leadership Failed the leaders? Tammi Kemp MMSL-6905 Walden university MARCH 2, 2022
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~introduction~
November 8, 2018, a dark cloud and fire storm tore through Paradise, CA. leaving devastation and chaos in its wake. Hospital leadership faced challenges that would test every skill they had ever learned.
But were the leaders supported while they were charged with supporting everyone else? Were there lessons to be learned here?
My case study and research focused on who and what specific support was offered to the leaders on the ground. And whether there is research out there specifically identifying how executive leaders should support the leaders who are managing through a crisis.
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~WHAT I DID~
I began a literature review to identify/find what support has been offered to the leaders that have managed other crises.
I surveyed a small selection of leaders that worked at the Paradise hospital at the time of the fire, to assess the level of support they feel they received from executive leaders.
The COVID pandemic has led to a wealth of current literature on how to lead through a crises. A 2021 article by Holge-Hazelton et al. suggests an important first action is to assess and survey leaders to determine their need for support.
I wanted to determine if there was in fact a ‘gap’ in the fundamental organizational support systems following a crisis.
~ WHAT I LEARNED~
Majority of literature offers strategies for leaders to best support employees, not highlighting how leadership can support leaders
Survey results showed score of 2.3 out of 5 as pertains to level of support received from executives following the fire
Emotional intelligence is the secret to leadership in times of crisis (Taylor & Murphy, 2020)
There very well might be a ‘gap’ in the level of support(s) offered to the leaders facing the fire, with boots on the ground.
Do senior leaders & executives make it their priority to support the leaders? Further research is necessary.
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~ Why IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THE LEADERS?~
During a crisis, a leader must quickly adapt and lead effectively (Leading effectively, 2020). How a leader responds immediately following a crisis can determine the engagement and well-being of the staff throughout the crisis.
When a leader is themselves devastated, broken, or damaged as a result of the crisis, they require and deserve swift and comprehensive support from the executives. This will enable them to best manage and support their teams.
For one to DO their best, they must BE their best. Carrying the title of leader/executive leader does not exempt one from needing support or exclude one from the responsibility of offering that support. Especially when the stakes are at their highest and lives could be on the line.
REFERENCES
Holge-Hazelton, B., Rosted, E., Zach Borre, L., McCormack, B., & Kjerholt, M. Facilitating person-centered leadership support during the COVID-19 crisis. International Practice Development Journal. Nov 2021, Vol.11 Issue 2, p. 1-8. 8p.
Taylor, S., & Murphy, W. (2020). Emotional intelligence is the secret to leadership in times of crisis. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/356685
Leadership in crisis management: 10 effective ways to build resilience. (2020)
www.taskmanager.com/blog/leadership-in-crisis-management/
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”
~Helen Keller
