Collaborative leadership tools: Developing cross-sector networks to improve community health outcomes

This presentation introduces collaborative leadership tools that help leaders make and keep commitments that are highly aligned—a process that results in improved outcomes for populations. Many public health and healthcare professionals are seeking to improve healthcare quality and equality. Recognizing that the solutions are beyond the scope of any sector, they are engaging in cross-sector collaboration. However, collaborative efforts often fail due to lack of alignment within a collaboration. A number of cross-sector networks across the country are currently using these collaborative leadership tools to measurably improve health outcomes. For example, in networks where these tools are used consistently, approximately sixty percent of the leaders who make commitments to take aligned action in service of healthcare improvement results keep them. This approach builds on a theory of change to offer evidence based collaborative leadership tools. The use of these tools in cross-sector networks enable public health and healthcare leaders to: (a) hold efficient collaborations and meetings, (b) make decisions that stick, and (c) take aligned actions to implement low- and no-cost network solutions. This paper shares the background and importance of the approach, outlines the Theory of Aligned Contributions, describes where and how the tools are being used, presents findings on the impact of using the tools, and offers criteria for where and how to use the tools. The presentation will also include brief hands-on/experiential learning to apply the framework and tools to the participants' collaborative opportunity.