Checkup for leadership

Dr Neale Fong has recently overseen the training of 100 future leaders within the Health Department as part of a series of reforms he is implementing.

Dr Fong, the acting director general of the Department of Health, said the Leading 100 program was developed as part of the strategic direction to foster healthy leadership within the public health system.

“As part of the health reform program I have been given the task of implementing, one of the key ingredients is to ensure healthy leadership,” he said.

“I was very concerned about the lack of development of leadership in the system and equally concerned that people believed the system was not interested in them.”

A series of six workshops over six months included addresses by guest speakers intended to inspire and motivate the development of participants’ leadership potential.

Speakers included Janet Holmes a Court, Dr Fiona Wood, Jim McGinty, Luc Longley, Dr Walter Wright, and John Sanderson.

The program was not intended to be a major academic exercise, and participants came from across different levels in the department, according to Dr Fong.

“The program sends the message that we value leader-ship,” he told WA Business News. 

“I believe the answer to the problems facing the health system lie within having healthy leadership in the department.

“The creation of an environment that identifies, nurtures and promotes strong leadership at all levels is vital to the effectiveness of Western Australia’s health system into the future.

“We recognise that our people are the key to creating sustainable, long-term change – to take our health system from a good to a great one – and to build on delivering high quality care and services to ensure the future health of our community.”

In all, 300 people are expected to go through the program, being run by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) over the next three years.

AIM executive director Pat Cullen said Dr Fong was clearly passionate about the issue of leadership and this was the first time he was aware of the public sector running a program specifically targeted at leadership.

“The whole issue of leadership in both the public and private sector is increasingly on the agenda,” Mr Cullen said.

“Leadership development is not just for senior people – the leadership capacity of people in an organisation is integral to its success, from executive level to the administrative level, and to give that message across is a powerful and strong message to give employees.”

There was no question over the progressive nature of the Leading 100 program, Mr Cullen said, with participants being able to enhance and develop their skills to make better contributions.

Leadership training was one of the ways that companies were addressing the skills shortage issue.

“People are looking for more than just attractive salaries and development opportunities are becoming increasingly important,” Mr Cullen said.

“Companies are recognising this and investing in it to make their organisations better and to help retain their staff.”