The changing face of the leader

Leadership theory has identified leadership as a process or skill of transformation of organizations and society. Managerial theorists have seen leadership as a role within management, and have argued from a distinctly organizational perspective. During the last decade, mental health executives have gravitated from the leadership is policy emphasis to one of management accommodation to major changes in the health environment. The most noteworthy of these changes has been the dominance of private markets in health and the introduction throughout the mental health services sector of management techniques of managed care. Leadership is once again ascendant as a result of the failure of several of these initiatives, notably prior authorization of care, and a renewed public policy emphasis on needs of persons who are mentally ill. Major opportunities confronting the contemporary leader/manager include advocacy, diversity, and information management.