Authentic and ethical leadership during a crisis

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Ethics
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Current healthcare systems face complex challenges impacting patient care and provider well-being.
• Conventional leadership, economic, and caring models may be insufficient in today's environment.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for ethical and human-centered approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assert the necessity of shifting towards human caring values and authentic healing relationships in healthcare.
• To explore the intricate relationship between ethical leadership, followership, and patient outcomes.
• To underscore the negative consequences of unethical behavior in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of leadership, ethics, and patient outcomes.
• Discussion based on authors' assertions and experiences.
• Exploration of the interconnectedness within the 'triangle of ethics'.

Main Results:

• Unethical leadership erodes follower trust and commitment.
• Negative impacts on patient outcomes and organizational effectiveness are direct consequences of unethical behavior.
• Ethical behavior and authentic healing relationships are crucial for a functional healthcare system.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift towards human caring values and ethical leadership is imperative in healthcare.
• Authentic healing relationships are foundational for positive patient outcomes and system resilience.
• Ethical leadership is directly linked to follower engagement and overall organizational success.