It is obvious that for any leader to termed so they must have followers. The followers are the distinctive difference between managers and leaders; managers can operate with only the compliance of their underlings while leaders require people to follow them willingly. Followership is complementary to leadership and is an essential part for a leader to be effective at their job. As such, it is entirely different if the followers comply with the orders or want to do their duties. The leaders who recognize this essential difference and utilize it make the greatest impact on their activities.
The relationships existing between the leaders and their followers are based on the respect and trust that the followers accord the leader. If the followers have a high regard for the leader, they trust his decision and are willing to carry them out effectively. Healthcare administration involves the general leadership and management of hospitals and even the healthcare systems. The goal of healthcare administration is to ensure that the systems run appropriately and smoothly. The effect of followership is apparent here because, in any healthcare system, the departments must coordinate efficiently and effectively, and everyone must perform as is expected of them. A mishap in an environment such as the healthcare systems will have disastrous and even catastrophic consequences for the patients and anyone else relying on the systems.
Therefore, in healthcare administration the leaders or the administrators must apply their leadership skill to ensure that the followership in their department is effective. Followership as demonstrated earlier depends on the leader and whether they are respected and trusted by their followers. To ensure good leadership, and effective followership healthcare administration there are trainings and organizations to teach the skills required. As such, the surest way to apply effective followership in Healthcare administration there should be both formal and on the job training for administrators. Already numerous colleges and universities offer healthcare administration as a course. The training would ensure that only good leaders become administrators and in turn, efficient followership would result.
References
Mirabella, Roseanne, M., & Wish, N. B. (2000). The “best place” debate: A comparison of graduate education programs for nonprofit managers. Public Administration Review, 219-229.
Rubino, L. (2010). Leadership. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
The Gorvernance Institute. (2009). Leadersip in Heathcare Organizations: A Guide to Joint Commision Leardership Standards. San Diego: The Gorvernance Institute.
