Women and Leadership in Health Care

"Catherine Robinson-Walker uncovers important insights that help both men and women develop key strategies that will strengthen the leadership in their organizations. Her research reflects the value of the 'co-creation model' for the future of health care."-Kathryn Johnson, President/CEO, The Health Forum

Written for health care executives and managers, of both sexes, Women and Leadership in Health Care explores the vital issues that surround the gAnder disparity in health care leadership. This book answers the vital questions concerning how gAnder affects health care leadership. It reveals how to create a diverse, creative, and resourceful leadership pool. And gives women the tools they need to break the glass ceiling.Filled with useful suggestions and practical advice, the book
* Offers guidance for overcoming gAnder barriers in health care leadership
* Reveals how senior level executives and managers can learn the skills they need to become successful mentors to future health care leaders
* Shatters common myths such as "Time alone will solve the problem of too few women in the health care executive ranks"
* Spells out how executives and managers can renew and hone their leadership abilities
* Focuses on the lessons men learn from women and the lessons women learn from men
* Outlines effective strategies from recognized experts in the fields of negotiation, communication, and executive recruitment

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xv

The Author xvii

Part I: coming to Terms with Gender

1 The Paradox of Gender 3

2 Gender, Values, and Leadership 19

3 Experiencing Gender on the Job 41

4 Coming to Terms with Gender’s Impact 55

Part II: Antidotes for Effectiveness

5 Antidote 1: Defusing Gender’s Role in Conflict, Negotiations, and Power 79

6 Antidote 2: Using Communication as a Bridge 99

7 Antidote 3: Career Renewal Strategies 119

8 Antidote 4: Nurturing Ourselves, Mentoring Others 137

Part III: Embracing Authenticity and Power

9 Gender’s Role in Transformation and Authenticity 163

10 From Paradox to Power 181

Appendix A: Contributors 195

Appendix B: Demographics 209

Appendix C: Data 211

References 215

Index 221

"This book is a must-read. Its power lies in its abundant stories which demonstrate how relationships based on integrity form the context in which leaders maximize their unique potential and contributions, regardless of gAnder." --JoEllen Koerner, JoEllen Koerner and Associates, past-president, American Organization of Nurse Executives

"For a person navigating the complex pathway to top leadership jobs, gAnder issues continue to influence career progression. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the issues provides important insight for both current and future leaders, with innovative ideas to help recognize and reduce gAnder issues in organizations.". --Katherine W. Vestal, national director of healthcare services, Hay Group, Inc

"Catherine Robinson-Walker uncovers important insights that help both men and women develop key strategies that will strengthen the leadership in their organizations. Her research reflects the value of the 'co-creation model' for the future of health care." --Kathryn Johnson, president/CEO, The Health Forum

"Robinson-Walker's words combine power, beauty, and elegance on a subject frequently discussed in whispers. I hope people take this book to a quiet place and read it with care and thought." --Patrick G. Hays, president and CEO, BlueCross BlueShield Association CATHERINE ROBINSON-WALKER is executive director of The Academy for Healthcare Quality, a collaborative effort of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and five leading universities. She is a pioneer in conceiving breakthrough strategies for leadership and executive education in health care. She is a frequent speaker on trAnds and strategies for stewardship in health care, and the path to power and effectiveness for women. Her e-mail address is carobins@sirius.com. Women and Leadership in Health Care: The Journey to Authenticity and PowerWomen outnumber men six to one in the health care field. But despite their numbers, women still struggle to gain entry into boardrooms and the "executive suite." Why are there so few women in top-level management and executive positions within the health care industry? Can this course be changed?Written for health care executives and managers of both sexes, Women and Leadership in Health Care: The Journey to Authenticity and Power, explores the vital issues that surround the gAnder disparity in health care leadership. This book answers the vital questions concerning how gAnder affects health care leadership. It reveals how to create a diverse, creative, and resourceful leadership pool. And it gives women the tools they need to break the glass ceiling.Meticulously researched, Women and Leadership in Health Care is based on Catherine Robinson-Walker's comprehensive survey of health care leaders and a far-reaching review of today's management literature. Robinson-Walker-a recognized expert in leadership development in health care-offers hands-on guidance for health care managers and executives enabling them to assess their current environment and create a plan that will ensure the most qualified employees have the opportunity to develop into top-level health care leaders.By delving deeply into the complexities of beliefs and perceptions about gAnder, the author offers an invaluable resource for understanding the often confusing mix of gAnder, leadership, professional culture, social expectations, and personal bias.Filled with useful suggestions and practical advice, the book? Offers guidance for overcoming gAnder barriers in health care leadership? Reveals how senior level executives and managers can learn the skills they need to become successful mentors to future health care leaders? Shatters common myths such as "Time alone will solve the problem of too few women i Women and Leadership in Health Care: The Journey to Authenticity and Power

Women outnumber men six to one in the health care field. But despite their numbers, women still struggle to gain entry into boardrooms and the "executive suite." Why are there so few women in top-level management and executive positions within the health care industry? Can this course be changed?

Written for health care executives and managers of both sexes, Women and Leadership in Health Care: The Journey to Authenticity and Power, explores the vital issues that surround the gender disparity in health care leadership. This book answers the vital questions concerning how gender affects health care leadership. It reveals how to create a diverse, creative, and resourceful leadership pool. And it gives women the tools they need to break the glass ceiling.

Meticulously researched, Women and Leadership in Health Care is based on Catherine Robinson-Walker's comprehensive survey of health care leaders and a far-reaching review of today's management literature. Robinson-Walker-a recognized expert in leadership development in health care-offers hands-on guidance for health care managers and executives enabling them to assess their current environment and create a plan that will ensure the most qualified employees have the opportunity to develop into top-level health care leaders.

By delving deeply into the complexities of beliefs and perceptions about gender, the author offers an invaluable resource for understanding the often confusing mix of gender, leadership, professional culture, social expectations, and personal bias.

Filled with useful suggestions and practical advice, the book
· Offers guidance for overcoming gender barriers in health care leadership
· Reveals how senior level executives and managers can learn the skills they need to become successful mentors to future health care leaders
· Shatters common myths such as "Time alone will solve the problem of too few women in the health care executive ranks"
· Spells out how executives and managers can renew and hone their leadership abilities
· Focuses on the lessons men learn from women and the lessons women learn from men
· Outlines effective strategies from recognized experts in the fields of negotiation, communication, and executive recruitment.
Women and Leadership in Health Care is filled with poignant, inspiring, and moving personal stories about the challenges-and triumphs-of effective leadership.

A Road Map to the Top of Health Care Management

Women and Leadership in Health Care : The Journey to Authenticity and Power is for leaders on either side of the health care glass ceiling. For women who want to reach the top levels of leadership in today's more than one-trillion-dollar health care industry, it offers a road map showing how to get there. For women and men who have already entered the executive suite, this book will reveal ways to assess the environment to ensure that the best and the brightest have an opportunity to rise to the top.