Leadership - A n essential objective of professional development in surgery

Leadership is a topic of great significance in the practice of surgery. While once acceptable for surgeons to expect control, power, and ultimate authority in their offices and operating rooms, it is now realized that a leader's strongest quality is their ability to influence circumstances in a situational fashion. A review of the definition of leadership, the qualities and styles of leaders, and opportunities for leadership development brings the principles of leadership to the forefront from which surgeons will favorably develop. These opportunities include leadership development programs during the training of surgeons to permit deliberate practice throughout their careers. The goal of these exercises is to assist individuals in converting from the prevailing or epistemological model of leadership, where one knows theories and concepts of leadership, to the emerging or ontological/phenomenological model of leadership, where one practices those theories and concepts as a consummate leader in the House of Surgery.