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How do directors of public health perceive leadership?

Martin J. McAreavey (Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine, East Riding and Hull Health Authority, Willerby, UK)
Beverly Alimo‐Metcalfe (Professor of Leadership Studies, Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, and)
Jim Connelly (Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK)

Journal of Management in Medicine

ISSN: 0268-9235

Article publication date: 1 December 2001

41

Abstract

This study examines how directors of public health (DsPH) perceive effective leadership. Kelly’s repertory grid technique is used. A total of 13 out of a possible 14 DsPH in one NHS region of England were interviewed. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were carried out. The findings show that male DsPH (n = 8) rate their leadership ability more highly than do female DsPH (n = 5). Qualitative analysis produced a number of categories of constructs, some of which are perceived to be indicative of effective leadership, these being “working for others”, “personal attributes”, “vision and innovation” and “courage and integrity”. Some categories appear to be applicable only to the UK (or to public health) and not to the existing dominant US models of leadership. In general, DsPH perceptions of effective leadership converge with current theories; most specifically the UK‐based theories. This study therefore refutes any simple extrapolation of US theories of leadership to UK health organisations.

Keywords

Citation

McAreavey, M.J., Alimo‐Metcalfe, B. and Connelly, J. (2001), "How do directors of public health perceive leadership?", Journal of Management in Medicine, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 446-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmm.2001.15.6.446

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2001, Company

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