BY JENNY QUIGLEY-STICKNEY, MSN, RN, MHA, MA CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CPHM, FCM
Many times over the last decade, I have committed to organizational leadership at the national level for the Case Management Society of America board of directors and at the local level for the Case Management Society of New England. I have often been asked by members, “What do I get out of contributing so much time within the case management organization?” My response is, first, that I truly love the volunteerism that I have been fortunate to have provided within the organization, and second, I am always learning from the roles I have taken on and from the collaborations I have developed with fellow case managers. The one question I have wanted to explore about this work and hope to share with you in this article is whether CMSA organizational leadership skills translate to effective leadership skills that can be transitioned into the workplace and enhance professional development for case managers hoping to advance their professional case management careers.
The principles of organizational leadership encompass various aspects of leadership such as communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, and strategic thinking, which are highly relevant and applicable within any healthcare environment workplace setting. So, let’s begin by examining how each of these aspects of organizational leadership translates into workplace leadership skills for new supervisors or managers in healthcare.
- Communication: Organizational leadership emphasizes clear and effective communication at all levels of the healthcare team. Leaders who possess strong communication skills can convey their vision, goals and expectations clearly to their teams, fostering understanding and alignment and buy in for new case management projects, quality measures and training for new EHR. Organizational skills for PowerPoint, Excel, Epic, Zoom, Teams, and Webex translate directly to workplace knowledge and tools utilized daily to teach team members how to manage effectively in the healthcare workplace.
- Decision-making: Effective organizational leaders are skilled at making timely and well-informed decisions. In the workplace, leaders often encounter complex situations requiring quick and decisive action. The ability to analyze information, weigh options, and make sound decisions is crucial for effective leadership.
- Conflict resolution: Conflict is inevitable in any workplace. Organizational leaders are adept at managing conflicts constructively, whether between team members, departments or stakeholders. They can facilitate open dialogue, mediate disputes, and find mutually acceptable solutions to resolve conflicts and maintain a positive work environment.
- Team building: Successful organizational leaders understand the importance of building and nurturing high-performing teams. They know how to recruit, motivate and develop talented individuals, fostering collaboration and synergy within the workplace.
- Strategic thinking: Organizational leaders have a strategic mindset, capable of envisioning the long-term direction of the organization and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. In the workplace, strategic leaders can anticipate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances and steer their teams toward achieving overarching goals. This type of charismatic leadership is an essential component for the development of relational leaders needed for future organizational and workplace leadership growth in 2024.
- Empowerment: Effective organizational leaders empower their team members by delegating authority, providing autonomy, and fostering a culture of trust and accountability. In the workplace, empowered employees are more engaged, motivated and capable of taking ownership of their work and contributing to the organization’s success.
Does the style of leadership matter, and will it enhance your ability to advance your career within an organization as effectively as advancing a case manager within a healthcare workplace? Style matters and can be important to understand what type of culture a leader will promote and develop in the workplace. Since the pandemic, most case managers are craving relational leaders and human-centered leaders. When looking to develop your skills for today’s workplace, look for organizations who approach leadership through the lens of relationships. (K. Kennedy March 2024) These types of leaders focus on communication, emotional intelligibility, integrity, growth and team member well-being. A relational leader’s work with the team to create a positive work environment where both the case manager and patient/family served work together to create and implement a collaborative care plan. A relational leader works well in a flexible healthcare world, and this type of leader can be at the bedside managing and working with the unit team, act as the supervisor or manager, or be the director of the case management organization. This type of leader has skills from both organizational leadership to workplace leadership roles that can transcend the case manager advancing within the healthcare corporation.
Overall, the skills and competence developed through organizational leadership roles can significantly enhance an individual’s ability to lead effectively in the workplace, driving performance, fostering collaboration and promoting a positive organizational culture.
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Jenny Quigley-Stickney, MSN, RN, MHA, MA, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CPHM, FCM, is a professional case manager with Cape Cod Healthcare. Jenny has been active with CMSA/CMSNE for over 20 years, serving as the president of CMSNE and chair for both CMSA and CMSNE Public Policy Committees. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for CMSA National. She is active in the New England states promoting the advancement of the Nurse Licensure Compact, and telehealth legislation for healthcare provision. She has a passion for legislative works and believes that legislation helps advance the field of professional case management.
She has been employed at all levels of the transitions of care, working with traumatic brain injury, stroke and spinal cord for over 25 years. During that time, she provided professional case management for inpatient rehab, hospital-based home care, and outpatient rehab care. She recently has shifted her work back to her first love, acute care, focusing on vascular and trauma care.
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