ACHSM Congress 2024 Workshop Recap: The importance of collaboration as a core leadership skill

Collaboration was a central theme at the ACHSM Congress 2024 which hosted hundreds of healthcare leaders and decision makers across the Asia-Pacific.

Over 50 participants attended our workshop at the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) Congress 2024, focusing on collaboration and fostering team effectiveness. The workshop titled, ‘Leading Successful Teams Requires a High Level of Collaboration. Learn the Essentials to Enhance Your Personal Effectiveness’, was led by Associate Professor Bernie Harrison and Clinical Educator Katie Robinson from the ACHS Improvement Academy.  

The interactive workshop provided attendees with practical tools and insights into the leadership skills required to build collaboration across teams and departments within organisations, who often may not get to work together. 

Central to success is the role of visionary leadership with clear aims and goals, which can transcend egos, fiefdoms, and organisational politics - hence the ‘art’ of leadership. Using interactive videos depicting two distinct leadership styles, participants reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of each example and were encouraged to apply these reflections to their own workplace experiences. The active sharing of experiences by participants added immense value to the overall workshop.

Participants were also asked to consider factors that impede collaboration across organisations. One of our favorite tools for this exercise involved the humble yet effective Post-It Notes, placed on butcher’s paper around the room. Key themes, included:

• Lack of clear vision or aim  

• Lack of role clarity 

• Problems when ego and coercive leadership styles are at play 

• Not having dedicated time and having to juggle workload pressures 

• Problems when there is no psychological safety which leads to lack of trust  

• Issues with structures that promote silos that inhibit collaboration 

• Failure of managing conflict constructively  

• Poor decision making and/or decision paralysis   

 

The workshop had a strong solution focus on how we can overcome some of these issues, which included: 

• Collaboration is intentional it does not happen without a clear vision and a work plan with clear goals 
• We agree to share our ideas and our results with each other – this is an essential element.  
• We use good team methods that drive consensus, e.g. brainstorming and multi voting approaches work very well.  
• Team members need time to participate in the collaborative effort 
• Our preferred leadership styles are Democratic (consensus through participation) and Visionary.

Madeleine Carter, Center for Effective Public Policy USA Dept Justice describes Collaborative Leaders as:

• Willing to take risks 
• Eager listeners 
• Passion for the cause 
• Optimistic about the future 
• Able to share knowledge, power and credit 

This description encapsulates the kind of leader we all aspire to work with—and to become.

Connect with the ACHS Improvement Academy Today 

The ACHS Improvement Academy Custom Training is a perfect option for healthcare organisations looking for tailored training that aligns with their specific goals, and context.   

These sessions run in addition to the scheduled public workshops and can be delivered on-site at a location requested by the organisation, or virtually.  

Please complete our Custom Training Enquiry Form to request more information.