PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Miller, Andrew G
AU  - Juby, Jerin
AU  - Burr, Katlyn L
AU  - Roberts, Karsten J
AU  - Hinkson, Carl R
AU  - Hoerr, Cheryl
AU  - Smith, Brian J
AU  - Rehder, Kyle J
TI  - Characteristics, Identification, Training, and Perception of Leaders in Respiratory Care
AID  - 10.4187/respcare.10920
DP  - 2023 Oct 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 1347--1355
VI  - 68
IP  - 10
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/68/10/1347.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/68/10/1347.full
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leadership is critical to high-functioning teams; however, data are lacking for what defines successful respiratory therapist (RT) leadership. Leaders need a wide range of skills to be successful, although the exact characteristics, behaviors, and accomplishments of successful RT leaders are unknown. We performed a survey of respiratory care leaders to evaluate different aspects of RT leadership.METHODS: We developed a survey of RT leaders to examine respiratory care leadership in a variety of professional settings. Different aspects of leadership and the relationships between perceptions of leadership and well-being were assessed. Data analysis was descriptive.RESULTS: We received 124 responses, with a response rate of 37%. Respondents had a median 22 y of RT experience, and 69% were in leadership positions. The most-important skills identified for potential leaders were critical thinking (90%) and people skills (88%). Self-initiated projects (82%), intradepartmental education (71%), and precepting (63%) were noted accomplishments. Reasons for exclusion from leadership included poor work ethic (94%), dishonesty (92%), difficulty getting along with others (89%), unreliable (90%), and not being a team player (86%). Most respondents (77%) agreed American Association for Respiratory Care membership be a requirement for leadership; however, 31% required membership. Integrity (71%) was noted consistently as a characteristic of successful leaders. There was no consensus for behaviors of successful versus unsuccessful leaders or what defines successful leadership. Ninety-five percent of leaders had received some leadership training. Respondents reported that well-being is affected by leadership, departmental culture, peers, and leaders with burnout; 34% of respondents felt people with burnout received good support at their institution, whereas 61% felt maintaining well-being is left to individuals.CONCLUSIONS: Critical thinking and people skills were the most-important skills for potential leaders. Limited consensus existed on characteristics, behaviors, and defined success of leaders. Most respondents agreed leadership influences well-being.