The Role of Servant Leadership in Supporting the Health Workforce during COVID 19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare workers worldwide. These individuals have been on the front lines, risking their health and safety to care for patients. However, the emotional toll of the pandemic cannot be overlooked. Healthcare workers are not only dealing with the physical demands of their jobs but also the psychological stress and anxiety that comes with caring for patients during a global crisis. Effective leadership is crucial in every organization, however, some organizations such as healthcare need leaders who are capable of inspiration and psychological safety. This is because health workers endure so much stress and anxiety resulting from the concerns and empathic connection with their clients. Servant leadership, an emerging leadership style, is particularly suitable during crises, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Servant leadership is a style that focuses on serving the needs of others and prioritizing their well-being. This leadership approach is particularly suited to the healthcare industry, where the well-being of patients and staff is of utmost importance. Servant leaders create a culture of psychological safety, where healthcare workers feel supported and valued. This includes ensuring that healthcare workers have access to personal protective equipment, providing emotional support and counselling services, and recognizing and appreciating their efforts. To put the effect of servant leadership into perspective, this article highlights some effects of COVID-19 on health workers and follows up to present a view on how servant leaders would mitigate the effects on the workers. Current and future managers of the healthcare system should undertake training on servant leadership to serve the workers well for the ultimate benefit of the organization.