(21) Leadership in Speech-Language Pathology

Abstract                                   
Definitions of leadership vary significantly, and research shows that traditional models are ineffective today. Research outlines current trends in leadership traits, frameworks, strategies, and styles. Purposeful leadership is a critical component of effective leaders and embodies emotional intelligence, empowering others, and reliance. Speech-Language Pathologists inherently lead their clients and teams daily. Today’s leaders recognize the importance of their role and the actions, not titles, that define it.  
Summary of Presentation
The dictionary defines a leader as one who commands, manages, guides, conducts, influences, performs, directs, and is authoritative (Merriam-Webster, 2022; Oxford University Press, 2022).  However, when graduate speech-language-pathology students were asked to reflect on their admired leaders and leadership styles, their writings were permeated with words such as confident, positive, human, patient, trustworthy, friend, ethical, compassionate, stable, sincere, authentic, genuine, respectful, visionary, and mentor (Scheble & Lenhardt, 2022).  Current leadership resources refer to leaders as those who serve, which highlights leadership as an action rather than a title (Thomas, 2022).  Richard (2021) proposed that Speech-Language Pathologists intrinsically lead as practitioners, researchers, and professors by promoting change.
Although research shows that some leadership skills are innate, they can also be learned through practice and feedback (Goleman, 2004; Kotter, 2001; Thomas, 2008). Birkinshaw et al. (2022) established a framework for leadership development that interconnects work experiences, interactions with others, and formal programs.  In this framework,  one acquires a new skill, experiments with it, and considers the outcome with others. 
Researchers found that exceptional leaders were distinguished by emotional intelligence, adaptive capacity, and resilience (Goleman, 2008; Thomas, 2008).  Furthermore, commonalities emerged among them including early leadership roles, lateral career moves, special assignments, challenging opportunities, a broad network, and visibility to senior management (Kotter, 2001).  Exceptional leaders are purposeful, are authentic, set clear expectations, and empower others to realize their potential and succeed (Joly, 2022).
 
References

Birkinshaw, J., Gudka, M., & Marshall, S. (2022, June 1).  What leadership should look like in the hybrid era. Harvard Business Review.  https://hbr.org/2022/06/what-leadership-development-should-look-like-in-the-hybrid-era

Goleman, D. (2004, January). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2004/01/what-makes-a-leader

Joly, H. (2022, April 6).  5 Principles of Purposeful Leadership. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/04/5-principles-of-purposeful-leadership

Kotter, J. P. (2001, December). What leaders really do.  Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2001/12/what-leaders-really-do

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Leader. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Leader. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leader

Richard, G. J. (2021). Developing leadership skills. In M.W. Hudson & M. DeRuiter (5th ed.), Professional issues in speech-language pathology and audiology (Ch. 21). Plural Publishing. https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publications/professional-issues-in-speech-language-pathology-and-audiology-1

Scheble, D., & Lenhardt, R. (2022, June 7). Admired leaders and leadership styles discussion board word cloud. [PowerPoint Slide]. Gannon University Blackboard.

Thomas, G. (2022, October 4). Leadership first. https://www.leadershipfirst.net/

Thomas, R. J. (2008). Crucibles of leadership: How to learn from experience to become a great leader. Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation.