Human-Centered Leadership in Healthcare: Evolution of a Revolution

Human-Centered Leadership in Healthcare presents a leadership model grounded in complex systems theory. It addresses how healthcare organizations can create environments that deliver strong market outcomes and demonstrate value to patients. Because healthcare is fundamentally human-centered, the model emphasizes care for leaders, staff, and patients alike. The Human-Centered Leadership model balances inward focus—on the leader's self-care and mindfulness—with outward focus on others. Leaders adopt three key attributes: the Awakener, the Connector, and the Upholder. These attributes drive practices that support sustained quality outcomes, patient and staff satisfaction, and healthy work environments. The resulting organizational cultures emphasize excellence, trust, and caring. The model operates on the principle that "It starts with you but it's not about you." Kennedy, Leclerc, and Campis aim to develop the leaders who lead the people who care for patients.