Future health equity is an imperative goal in today’s world. We recognise that not everyone has equal access, care, and outcomes. Changing demographics, technological advancements, workforce shortages, and economic impact —the list of complexities in the healthcare operating environment is converging. As a result, the need to design inclusive health services is becoming increasingly important. This systemic change requires a certain type of leader with a certain capability set.
My colleague, Dr Marcele De Sanctis, recently stated, “The challenge for healthcare leaders is not just about providing high-quality care but navigating an increasingly complex environment. This demands resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. Great leadership can no longer be assumed, it must be continually developed.”
To provide patients and populations with high-quality and accessible care, we must advocate for a representative healthcare workforce and provide students opportunities to learn from, with, and about each other in order to improve patient outcomes (Health Professionals Education, 2020).
By leveraging and fostering diverse leadership, inclusive policies, and ensuring equitable access to resources, leaders can drive meaningful change. The system requires a commitment to understanding the unique needs of different communities and a proactive approach to dismantling systemic barriers. The journey towards health equity is continuous, demanding collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to justice and opportunity for all.
As we celebrate our firm’s ongoing involvement in the IPAA International Women’s Day, this year’s theme was ‘Marching Forward for Women’s Health’ we have a timely opportunity to reflect on the critical role of leadership in advancing health equity, not only for women, but for all marginalised communities.
As an executive leadership specialist who has placed senior leaders across public, private and community health, I believe there are specific leadership capabilities we should prioritise when we think about selection, succession and development of health leaders.
Inclusive Decision-Making
Inclusive decision-making is paramount in addressing health disparities and requires a high level of emotional awareness. Leaders who incorporate diverse perspectives into healthcare policy and program development are better equipped to tackle the unique challenges faced by different populations. We know that people in remote areas, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and lower socioeconomic groups often experience higher rates of preventable hospitalisations and chronic disease. Inequities manifest in life expectancy gaps, higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health conditions. Leaders who prioritise engaging with community stakeholders create more tailored and effective healthcare solutions.
Cultural Competence in Healthcare Leadership
Reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare emphasise the importance of culturally safe healthcare environments to improve service uptake and outcomes. Culture and Engagement is a core capability required to understand diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of patients; essential for providing equitable care. Healthcare leaders must prioritise cultural competence, ensuring that all team members are trained to respect and respond to the cultural needs of their patients. This approach fosters trust and improves health outcomes.
Data-Driven Approaches
Effective leaders today are required to have digital literacy. They must use data to identify and address health disparities. By analysing metrics and gathering community feedback, leaders can pinpoint areas of need and target interventions more precisely. Data-driven strategies enable healthcare organisations to allocate resources efficiently and measure the impact of their initiatives.
Collaborative Partnerships
Stakeholder relations is another must-have future capability. Health equity cannot be achieved in isolation. There is growing emphasis on partnership and co-design with consumers—particularly from Indigenous, CALD, and disability communities—to improve the relevance and effectiveness of healthcare services. Collaborative partnerships across sectors are crucial for creating comprehensive solutions. Healthcare leaders must work with community organisations, government agencies, and private entities to develop and implement strategies that address social determinants of health.
Workforce Diversity and Representation
The impact of diverse leadership teams on developing more equitable healthcare systems cannot be overstated. Diverse boards and executive teams that bring varied perspectives lead to more innovative solutions. Ultimately, this falls under the broader umbrella of organisational capability, ensuring representation at all levels of leadership is fundamental to addressing health disparities and fostering an inclusive healthcare environment.
Resource Allocation and Accessibility
Leadership decisions about funding, facility locations, and service delivery models significantly affect health equity. At Future Leadership, one of the priority capability sets we look for is Ethics, Sustainability and Integrity. Leaders must prioritise resource allocation to underserved communities, ensuring that all individuals have access to quality healthcare services. This commitment to accessibility is crucial for reducing health disparities.
Transformative Leadership Models
Examining leadership styles that effectively challenge systemic barriers to health equity is essential. Transformative leaders are adept at critical thinking and inspire change by advocating for policies and practices that promote equity. They lead with empathy, integrity, and a vision for a just healthcare system.
Technology and Innovation
Forward-thinking leaders leverage digital tools to improve access and health outcomes. Telehealth, mobile health applications, and data analytics are powerful tools for reaching underserved populations. By embracing innovation, leaders can drive significant improvements in healthcare delivery and equity.
Systems Thinking
Healthcare leaders play a pivotal role in advocating for policies that address social determinants of health. They must engage in policy discussions, collaborate with policymakers, and champion initiatives that promote health equity. Systemic change requires persistent advocacy and a commitment to dismantling barriers.
Sustainable and Scalable Initiatives
Ensuring long-term commitment to health equity beyond short-term programs is vital. Leaders must develop sustainable and scalable initiatives that can adapt to changing needs and continue to address disparities. This approach ensures that progress towards health equity is maintained over time.
I hope these Future Leadership Capabilities help you on your journey, whether you are seeking your next role, your next leader, or considering how to further develop your leadership team. You are welcome to explore our Future Leadership Capability Selector to start the right conversation in your workplace.
As we heard from Professor Shelley Dolan, Chief Executive of The Royal Melbourne Hospital, speaking at IPAA’s IWD Gala Event, leadership will play a crucial role in achieving health equity for many generations to come. Healthy communities require inclusive health systems.
Deborah Komesaroff, an executive search consultant specialising in placing senior leaders and executives into boards and organisations in Australia, is deeply passionate about human-centred health care and accessibility for underserved communities. She believes leadership is the cornerstone of achieving health equity and is committed to supporting leaders who champion this cause.
