Name
Chamberlain University
NR-703: Applied Organizational & Leadership Concepts
Prof. Name
Datea
The purpose of this paper is to present a leadership framework that addresses the issue of patient falls within the geriatric unit of my healthcare organization. This framework emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration, ethical leadership, and effective communication. These leadership elements are vital in driving successful healthcare change projects, particularly those that aim to enhance patient safety and strengthen team performance. By integrating these aspects, leaders can cultivate a culture of safety, accountability, and shared responsibility.
Collaboration among healthcare professionals is essential for delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring safety during practice change initiatives. Mutual respect, trust, and professionalism create an environment where team members can share ideas, challenge assumptions, and work toward common goals (Sims et al., 2015). Without respect, conflicts and communication breakdowns are more likely, leading to delays and decreased effectiveness.
To foster respect, I will create an environment where every professional contribution is acknowledged and valued. Diversity will be embraced as a strength, and team members will be encouraged to focus on shared objectives rather than personal differences. Disrespectful behaviors such as bullying, incivility, or harassment will not be tolerated. By modeling respectful and professional conduct, I can inspire the same standards across the team.
Goldsberry (2018) emphasized that leaders must align project goals with team members’ competencies to optimize outcomes. I will begin by clearly identifying project objectives and then assess the unique skills of each professional. Assigning roles based on expertise promotes efficiency, minimizes errors, and reduces frustration. Additionally, maintaining open feedback channels will ensure continuous improvement and adaptability to new challenges.
Table 1
Strategies to Promote Interprofessional Collaboration
| Strategy | Description | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Encourage mutual respect | Value contributions and embrace diversity | Stronger professional relationships |
| Zero tolerance for disrespect | Address bullying or incivility immediately | Safe and positive work environment |
| Role alignment with strengths | Assign responsibilities based on expertise | Greater efficiency and team performance |
| Continuous feedback | Provide open communication opportunities | Flexible, adaptive, and cohesive team dynamics |
| Lead by example | Demonstrate professionalism and respect | Builds a positive and accountable team culture |
Strong communication is a defining quality of effective leaders. For this project, my communication style will be guided by the 5Cs of leadership communication: confidence, composure, civility, clarity, and conciseness. Confidence reassures team members of project success, while composure allows for calm and rational decision-making under stress. Civility demonstrates professionalism, clarity ensures that roles and expectations are well understood, and conciseness helps eliminate confusion and wasted time.
Varpio and Teunissen (2020) explained that alignment between verbal and non-verbal cues is essential for communication credibility. Misaligned signals can lead to mistrust and confusion. Therefore, I will practice mindfulness to remain self-aware of my communication style and tailor my message according to the team’s needs.
Tone will also be strategically used to promote trust and unity. In written correspondence, I will adopt a “you attitude” by centering communication on the needs of the team. Standard English and precise wording will be prioritized to ensure clarity, while key points will be summarized to enhance comprehension and retention.
Table 2
5Cs of Leadership Communication
| Element | Application in Leadership | Impact on Team |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Express belief in team abilities and project outcomes | Builds trust and motivates team members |
| Composure | Remain calm during challenges | Reduces stress and promotes stability |
| Civility | Show politeness and professional respect | Encourages positive and respectful environment |
| Clarity | Provide clear and direct expectations | Prevents miscommunication and role confusion |
| Conciseness | Deliver information without unnecessary complexity | Improves efficiency and supports better decisions |
Ethical leadership requires integrating fairness, justice, and compassion into decision-making. The ethic of justice ensures equality, impartiality, and fairness in distributing responsibilities and making project-related decisions. Meanwhile, the ethic of care emphasizes compassion, contextual understanding, and attentiveness to team and patient needs.
Relying on only one ethical perspective can be limiting. By integrating both, leaders create an environment where decisions are fair yet empathetic. A collaborative style of leadership is also essential, as it considers diverse perspectives, reduces conflict, and fosters shared ownership of outcomes.
Social justice in healthcare leadership involves ensuring inclusivity, equal opportunities, and recognition of every team member’s contributions. By assigning roles fairly and valuing everyone’s input, leaders can maintain morale and encourage a culture of equity.
Table 3
Ethical Leadership Approaches
| Ethical Approach | Key Focus | Application in Project Leadership |
|---|---|---|
| Ethic of Justice | Fairness, equality, and impartiality | Balanced role distribution and objective decision-making |
| Ethic of Care | Compassion, empathy, and relationships | Address personal/team needs with sensitivity |
| Collaborative Style | Inclusive problem-solving and conflict resolution | Builds cohesion and enhances satisfaction |
| Social Justice | Equal opportunities and recognition | Promotes inclusivity, fairness, and team morale |
Leading practice change projects in healthcare requires a balanced integration of collaboration, communication, and ethical decision-making. By fostering interprofessional collaboration, leaders create synergy among professionals with diverse expertise. By adopting the 5Cs of communication, leaders ensure that expectations are clear, trust is cultivated, and teamwork is strengthened. Finally, applying ethical leadership approaches ensures fairness while promoting compassion and inclusivity.
For advanced practice nurses, these leadership qualities are essential in ensuring patient safety, supporting effective teamwork, and driving sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery. In high-risk settings such as geriatric units, mastering these leadership attributes can significantly reduce adverse events, such as patient falls, while fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Goldsberry, J. W. (2018). Advanced practice nurses leading the way: Interprofessional collaboration. Nurse Education Today, 65, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.02.024
Sims, S., Hewitt, G., & Harris, R. (2015). Evidence of a shared purpose, critical reflection, innovation, and leadership in interprofessional healthcare teams: A realist synthesis. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 29(3), 209–215. https://doi.org/10.3109/13561820.2014.1001671
Varpio, L., & Teunissen, P. (2020). Leadership in interprofessional healthcare teams: Empowering knotworking with followership. Medical Teacher, 42(6), 654–660. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1733503
