Table 2.

Attributes required for successful healthcare leadership.

Domain	Leadership attribute
Relationship skills	Self-awareness
	Emotional intelligence – awareness of self and impact on others
	Personal integrity
	Approachable
	Influential
	Authoritative and affiliative
	Ability to listen
	Humility
	Willingness to acknowledge when wrong
	Motivational
	Ability to align others
	Compassionate
	Humane
Personality	Strategic thinker
	Flexible leadership styles
	Reflective
	Passionate
	Articulate
	Exceptional communication skills
	Team player
	Committed
	Self-belief
	Grounded
	Enthusiastic
	Visionary
	Resilient
	Charismatic
	Aspirational
	Comfort in both clinical and managerial roles
Leadership style	Patient-focused
	Flexible
Technical competence	Credible clinician and manager based largely on experience and delivery
	Financial skills (budgets, accountancy)
	Change management
	Risk management
	In-depth understanding of the organisation and wider healthcare sector
	Negotiation and influencing skills
	Deep corporate knowledge
	Credible business skills
	Ability to balance both clinical and managerial roles
Political awareness	Political insight (Big politics and little politics)