Leadership for the 21st century

Dympna Cunnane, freelance Organisation Psychologist, Associate of Intercultural Management and Programme Director, Executive Education at London Business School addressed the different models currently in operation to help clinical leaders understand the link between structures, strategy and leadership. 

She talked about how leadership affects culture and what kind of leadership is appropriate for today’s challenges in health and social care. 

It is generally believed that we need more clinical leaders in the NHS to bridge the gap between clinical practice and the business of healthcare. Dympna touched on the specific challenges which clinicians face in taking up leadership roles; these include the values and attitudes which are inculcated during medical training and the structures which have historically dominated medical practice. How can clinically trained people become system leaders?  What kind of leadership development is likely to support their transition from delivering care to leading organisations and wider systems to deliver integrated care?

As an organisation psychologist Dympna is interested in how people develop sustainable relationships, create high performing teams and what strategies will help them to work in a highly complex and constantly changing environment. She addresses issues of personal resilience, personal influence and capacity to lead change without becoming burnt out or defeated by the inevitable resistance involved in change.