Health Leadership Program
Issue
In 2011 the Meyer Foundation and CompassPoint released their third "Daring to Lead" study, which showed that 67% of the 3,000 nonprofit CEOs surveyed plan on leaving their job within five years. While this figure is slightly lower than was reported in the previous 2006 study, it still represents a significant projected leadership transition.
While one could debate whether leaders are born or made, what is clear to the MetroWest Health Foundation is that leadership matters. Remarkable leaders are self-aware, communicate effectively, have vision, adapt well to change, and build strong coalitions. The Foundation believes that organizations in MetroWest that are run by strong leaders are better able to demonstrate positive health outcomes, utilize evidence-based best practice models and work collaboratively with other community agencies to achieve their missions.
Strategy
To address the impending leadership void and provide current and emerging leaders with the requisite leadership skills, the Foundation created the MetroWest Health Leadership Program in 2005. The six-month knowledge and skill-building program is designed to change the way local health executives, managers and officials think and act as leaders. Through a curriculum that includes presentations, discussion and practicum work, participants gain a better understanding of their own leadership styles and how they can use their leadership skills to improve health and health care in their communities. Classes are taught by leading experts in their respective fields of knowledge, capitalizing on the rich talents the region has to offer.
Ten individuals comprise each class, which runs from January through June. Topic areas include personal leadership, communication, strategic thinking, negotiation and coalition building. In addition, students participate in a project that seeks to build on classroom work through the creation of a strategic and creative solution to a local health issue.
Publications & Resources