The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48780

Danielle C. Landis, BS, MPH, PhDc, Public Health Leadership Institute of Florida, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B Downs, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33613, 813-974-8147, dlandis@hsc.usf.edu and W. Michael Reid, MS, PhD, MBA, Florida Public Health Leadership Institute, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33613.

Leadership is a concept that is commonly used and frequently misunderstood. In the United States and other countries, many mistake leadership with authority, power and control. Many believe that leadership is relegated to only managers or supervisors. The authors have found that for public health workers from some Latin American countries the term "leadership" is reserved only for men in the highest ranks of political power. With a greater understanding of the cultural definitions of leadership, programs can be developed that provide culturally appropriate leadership training to the general public health population. Based on focus groups with over thirty, diverse public health workers from two countries, the authors of this proposal determined that research is needed in the area of "the culture-bound definition of leadership." Participants of these focus groups did not see themselves as leaders even though they had the ability to affect change in their country's public health systems. It was also found that these beliefs were not individually based, but cultural. The participants indicated they are in great need of training to revolutionize the current cultural mindset that the average public health worker cannot be considered a leader. Further research will be conducted to better understand cultural beliefs about leadership, how leadership theories and philosophies can be instilled in public health workers from other countries, and how a leadership curriculum can be developed to: 1) address cultural beliefs and boundaries; 2) provide an expanded definition of leadership; and 3) provide skills related to that expanded definition.

Learning Objectives:

• · Recognize how different cultures perceive leadership and their role as leaders;
• · Describe the basic curriculum and philosophical principles behind an American leadership institute;
• · Recognize basic elements would need to be considered when developing a leadership program applicable to different cultures;
• · Discuss how the concept of "leadership at all levels" can be conveyed, and understood in various cultures;
• · Discuss how an expanded definition and understanding of leadership can lead to empowerment and change for people in different cultures;
• · Review and discuss a sample curriculum for the implementation of a leadership program in another country.

Keywords: Leadership, International Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.