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. 2023 Oct;68(10):1347-1355.
doi: 10.4187/respcare.10920. Epub 2023 Jun 6.

Characteristics, Identification, Training, and Perception of Leaders in Respiratory Care

Andrew G Miller  1 , Jerin Juby  2 , Katlyn L Burr  3 , Karsten J Roberts  2 , Carl R Hinkson  4 , Cheryl Hoerr  5 , Brian J Smith  6 , Kyle J Rehder  7
Affiliations

Characteristics, Identification, Training, and Perception of Leaders in Respiratory Care

Andrew G Miller et al. Respir Care. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Leadership is critical to high-functioning teams; however, data are lacking for what defines successful respiratory therapist (RT) leadership. Leaders need a wide range of skills to be successful, although the exact characteristics, behaviors, and accomplishments of successful RT leaders are unknown. We performed a survey of respiratory care leaders to evaluate different aspects of RT leadership.

Methods: We developed a survey of RT leaders to examine respiratory care leadership in a variety of professional settings. Different aspects of leadership and the relationships between perceptions of leadership and well-being were assessed. Data analysis was descriptive.

Results: We received 124 responses, with a response rate of 37%. Respondents had a median 22 y of RT experience, and 69% were in leadership positions. The most-important skills identified for potential leaders were critical thinking (90%) and people skills (88%). Self-initiated projects (82%), intradepartmental education (71%), and precepting (63%) were noted accomplishments. Reasons for exclusion from leadership included poor work ethic (94%), dishonesty (92%), difficulty getting along with others (89%), unreliable (90%), and not being a team player (86%). Most respondents (77%) agreed American Association for Respiratory Care membership be a requirement for leadership; however, 31% required membership. Integrity (71%) was noted consistently as a characteristic of successful leaders. There was no consensus for behaviors of successful versus unsuccessful leaders or what defines successful leadership. Ninety-five percent of leaders had received some leadership training. Respondents reported that well-being is affected by leadership, departmental culture, peers, and leaders with burnout; 34% of respondents felt people with burnout received good support at their institution, whereas 61% felt maintaining well-being is left to individuals.

Conclusions: Critical thinking and people skills were the most-important skills for potential leaders. Limited consensus existed on characteristics, behaviors, and defined success of leaders. Most respondents agreed leadership influences well-being.

Keywords: leadership; leadership behaviors; leadership characteristics; leadership success; management; respiratory care practitioner; respiratory therapist; respiratory therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Mr Miller is a section editor for Respiratory Care. Mr Miller discloses relationships with Saxe Communications, S2N Health, and Fisher & Paykel. Mr Roberts discloses a relationship with MedBridge. Ms Burr discloses a relationship with Hill-Rom. Mr Hinkson is president of the American Association for Respiratory Care. The remaining authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Five most important accomplishments for potential leaders.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Characteristics that would exclude someone from a leadership position.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Most- and least-important characteristics of successful leaders.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Top 8 reported behaviors of successful leaders.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Top 6 behaviors of unsuccessful leaders.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Definitions of leadership success reported.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Distribution of Likert scale responses evaluating the relationship between leadership and well-being.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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