LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework

LEADS in a Caring Environment (LEADS) framework is a leadership capabilities framework representing an innovative and integrated investment in the future of health leadership in Canada. It provides a comprehensive approach to leadership development for the Canadian health sector, including leadership within the whole-system, within the health organizations, and within individual leaders.  

Leading self

• are self-aware – of their own assumptions, values, principles, strengths and limitations
• manage themselves – taking responsibility for their own performance and health
• develop themselves – actively seeking opportunities and challenges for personal learning, character building and growth
• demonstrate character – modelling qualities such as honesty, integrity, resilience and confidence

Engage others

• foster development of others — supporting and challenging others to achieve professional and personal goals
• contribute to the creation of healthy organizations — creating engaging environments where others have meaningful opportunities to contribute and ensure that resources are available to fulfil their expected responsibilities
• communicate effectively — listening well and encouraging open exchange of information and ideas using appropriate communication tools
• build teams — facilitating environments of collaboration and cooperation to achieve results

Achieve results

• set direction — inspiring vision by identifying, establishing and communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes
• strategically align decisions with vision, values and evidence — integrating organizational missions and values with reliable, valid evidence to make decisions
• take action to implement decisions — acting in a manner consistent with organizational values to yield effective, efficient public-centred service
• assess and evaluate — measuring and evaluate outcomes, comparing results against established benchmarks, and correcting the course as appropriate

Develop coalition

• purposefully build partnerships and networks to create results — creating connections, trust and shared meaning with individuals and groups
• demonstrate a commitment to customers and service — facilitating collaboration, cooperation and coalitions among diverse groups and perspectives aimed at learning to improve service
• mobilize knowledge — employing methods to gather intelligence, encourage open exchange of information and use quality evidence to influence action across the system
• navigate socio-political environments — they are politically astute, and can negotiate through conflict and mobilize support

Transform systems

• demonstrate systems and critical thinking — thinking analytically and conceptually, questioning and challenging the status quo to identify issues, solve problems and design and implement effective processes across systems and stakeholders
• encourage and support innovation — creating a climate of continuous improvement and creativity aimed at systemic change
• orient themselves strategically to the future — scanning the environment for ideas, best practices and emerging trends that will shape the system
• champion and orchestrate change — actively contributing to change processes that improve health service delivery