Background
Today's context for health leadership is complex, rapidly evolving, and calls for new approaches to the development of leaders for today and the future. “We need to train our leaders to be more collaborative, to be more inclusive, and to have greater integrity. It’s a whole different set of practices[1].” The Center for Health Leadership and Practice (CHLP) has an innovative approach to leadership development that brings together teams of leaders from multiple sectors that want to advance their leadership skills and achieve health equity in their community.
Program
CHLP trains multi-sectoral teams in an applied, team-based, and collaborative leadership development model. Using experiential learning, an applied health leadership project is the primary vehicle for leadership learning. The core curriculum is based on five competencies: Leadership Mastery; Ability to work effectively across sectors; Application of continuous quality improvement principles; Appropriate use of data for planning, assessment, monitoring and evaluation; and Commitment to a population health perspective. The work throughout the year is divided into four phases that each includes leadership themes: 1) inspiration; 2) ideation; 3) implementation and growing; and 4) sustaining and transition[2]. Team development is further enhanced and curriculum customized with a team coach. As fellows begin the program year they begin exploring and are challenged to examine their partners, stakeholders and networks. This theme is resurfaced at each phase of the program to examine the true diversity and voices needed to achieve population health improvement.
Lessons Learned
Rigorous CQI processes inform cutting edge program development
Developing capacities of multi-sector teams of leaders to work and lead across sectors improves their ability to successfully navigate today’s complex environment and effectively collaborate on community health projects.