Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2020 | Page 44

FEATURE LEADERSHIP
to recognise my achievement by applying the Plan-
networking across all parts of the health, social care
Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle and other methodologies
and education services.
in service improvement.
It required strategic working with key stakeholders
It was the turning point in developing my
at the senior management level in both health service
leadership skills in service redesign. Leading service
and local authority, and also commissioners from the
improvement is a practical pursuit. It requires a clear
local Clinical Commissioning Groups.
vision and goals of achievement that push you to do
At a personal level, it requires ambition and a
things differently.
determination to make a difference as a leader.
The first step in developing a powerful vision is
to envision the outcome and begin with the end in
Leadership in clinical supervision, staff
mind.
development and mentorship
My own vision was to break down the barriers
Leadership in this area is the ability to inspire and
between health, education and social care by
develop others, to bring forth their fullest potential
developing a fully integrated paediatric occupational
and highest capabilities, to encourage them to
therapy service.
accomplish a mission as a team.
Armed with all this
A leader does not simply delegate
knowledge in service
tasks, but to recognise and
development and
support good ideas and
Individualised
‘‘
improvement, I was
initiative suggested by
supervision, mentoring
able to inspire creativity
staff, be willing to change
and
coaching
leads
to
and innovation within
the system to support
the service, to engage and
innovative practice and
improved capacity of staff
influence senior management
new service development.
members
as
they
are
and other key stakeholders
A visionary clinical
making transformation in
through networking, and to
leader will put staff
get commitment to change and
development as one of
their practice.
develop the service into a fully-
the top agenda items and
integrated and multi-agency funded
will create a structure of clinical
service (Chu 2014).
supervision and staff support,
The service was shortlisted as the finalist for
systems of appraisal and personal
the 2014 Health Service Journal Value in Healthcare
development plans for staff to attain mastery and
Awards.
success in achievable goals.
When leading service re-design, managing
In staff development, I used the Myers Briggs Type
resistance to change requires courage, frequent
Indicator to understand individual staff’s strengths
communication, and the full engagement of the team
and weaknesses. For my own personal growth,
to be a part of the service improvement process.
I used the 360 Degree Feedback Questionnaire,
Sometimes it is hard to manage conflict and
completed by my colleagues and staff to learn more
navigate emotional matters at work. This is why it is so
about my strengths and weaknesses.
crucial to develop your emotional intelligence in order
It did help to develop a more cohesive team and
to build up self-awareness, apply empathy to your
provide specific information for staff development.
relationships and maintain positive outlook on things.
Staff development is essential to harness and
develop rising stars within the workforce.
Leadership in networking, interagency
Individualised supervision, mentoring and
collaboration and service user involvement
coaching leads to improved capacity of staff
No improvement is ever achieved sitting at a desk.
members as they are making transformation in their
It is important to advocate for yourself and for your
practice.
profession/service through networking with key
A leader needs to know the talents, experience
stakeholders, including service user groups.
and aspirations of the team members and be able to
Networking is to establish relationships with
set an example, clearly outline expectations, delegate
people, break down the barriers and get to know
tasks according to members’ strengths and abilities,
them, in order to develop trust and share ideas.
support members with resources, provide redirection
Developing a fully-integrated paediatric
if needed, and acknowledge success and credit
occupational therapy service required intricate
members.
44 OTnews February 2020