Leadership, Management, and Systems Thinking
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Leadership and Systems Thinking The most profound aspect of effective leadership is the ability to motivate others to enact change. This is not an act that occurs with leadership; it is an act that contributes to effective leadership. Within public health leadership, leaders and managers hold positions of power and authority; however, leaders and managers are distinctively different. What is important to remember is effective leadership in public health is not automatically associated with the title of “leader,” or “manager.” Rather, effective public health leadership requires leaders and managers to consider leadership perspectives in the field and a systems thinking approach in solving public health problems. This week, you differentiate between effective public health leadership and public health management. You also analyze your personal definition of public health leadership and how your definition applies a systems thinking approach. Learning Resources Required Readings Nahavandi, A. (2014). The art and science of leadership (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. • Chapter 1, “Definition and Significance of Leadership” Koh, H. K. (2009). Leadership in public health. Journal of Cancer Education, 24(Supp. 2), S11–S18. Leischow, S. J., & Milstein, B. (2006). Systems thinking and modeling for public health practice. American Journal of Public Health, 96(3), 403–405. Trochim, W. M., Cabrera, D.A., Milstein, B., Gallagher, R.S., & Leischow, S.J. (2006). Practical challenges of systems thinking and modeling in Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 96(3), 538–546. Vroom, V. H., & Jago, A.G. (2007). The role of the situation in leadership. American Psychologist, 62(1), 17–24. Zaleznick, A. (2004). Managers and leaders: Are they different? Harvard Business Review, 82(1), 74–81. Optional Resources Changing Minds. (2011). Leadership vs. management. Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.html Coach 4 Growth. (2011). Leadership vs. management: What are the characteristics of a leader and a manager? Retrieved from http://coach4growth.com/leadership-skills/leadership-vs-management-what-are-the-characteristics-of-a-leader-and-a-manager Kotter, J. P. (1990). A force for change: How leadership differs from management. New York, NY: Free Press. Murray, A. (2011). What is the difference between management and leadership? [Adapted from] Wall Street Journal’s Guide to Management. Retrieved from http://guides.wsj.com/management/developing-a-leadership-style/what-is-the-difference-between-management-and-leadership/?mod=WSJBlog ________________________________________ Leadership, Management, and Systems Thinking What does leadership mean to you? Additionally, how do leadership and leadership responsibilities differ between public health leaders and managers? The difference between public health leadership and public health management may be highlighted by the way in which each uses a systems approach in solving public health issues. Although public health leadership and public health management may use a systems approach differently, the use of a systems approach provides leaders and managers with access to more resources for solving public health problems. To illustrate this point, think of the role a system plays in preventing a pandemic outbreak and how access to additional resources may assist public health leadership effectiveness. As a result, think about how a systems thinking approach might impact your definition of public health leadership. For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources. Consider how you define public health leadership and how your definition applies a systems thinking approach. Also, think about the differences between public health leadership and public health management. Think of an example to illustrate this difference. Post your personal definition of public health leadership and a definition of systems thinking. Then explain how public health leadership is different from public health management. Use a specific public health example to illustrate this difference. Finally, explain how systems thinking applies to your definition of leadership. APA style citations and writing Advanced standard of writing
