Servant Leadership In A Public Health System

A robust public health system endeavors to have an educated workforce, one that is culturally competent, operating with high ethical standards whilst offering world class service to the demography it services. In order for such a system to be enforced, an effective leader needs to be at the helm to drive such an entity to realize its goals. Whilst there are varied forms of leadership styles or models; the servant leadership model would work greatly in a public health entity. Admittedly leadership styles differ and most persons that overlapping traits of various forms of leadership but the servant leadership style which is regarded as ‘authentic, legitimate leadership arises not from the exercise of power or self-interested actions, but from a fundamental desire to first help others’ (Smith, 2005 p.8). Public health entities exist primarily to help all of the populace and as such this leadership style works in bringing about an educated, culturally competent, workforce that offers up stellar service.

The servant leaders puts others before him or herself and facilitates growth in varied forms, whether through the position held or helping others to create satisfied persons/ clientele (Neuschel, 2005). The individual that possesses these qualities models triumphs at galvanizing individuals to be their best selves whilst ensuring the utmost integrity. Both duty and utilitarian ethics are at the foundation of a public health system. There is both the duty to serve and the responsibility of coming up with the resolution that works best for all involved. The public servant often will likely make decisions based on ethical principles, even if such decision may be unpopular. This model seems highly suited for public health as the field ...

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...ion is ever present with the public health graduate degree unless the job specifically warrants specialization in one of the areas.

The public health professional is served well by the servant leader model; facilitating best outcomes for both staff and clients served. Of course most leaders are equipped with many overlapping traits from other leadership styles, but the servant leader model dominates in the area of fostering growth and change. As a result of these pervasive qualities, the servant leader triumphs at managing people, manage themselves. In public service, this is very useful as persons are needed who can trust their own judgment not just waiting on a leader to dictate what decisions need to be made. The servant leader excels at ensuring that the workforce is informed, culturally competent and operates with the highest of ethics whilst serving clients.