Leadership Skills Framework
Several leadership theories guided the curriculum framework for the ALSCS. Bass's25 transformative theory of leadership acknowledges that although leadership involves personality traits and unique events, most people choose to become leaders and learn leadership skills. Transformative leadership emphasizes leadership skills that individuals must acquire to transform their environments and not simply lead. We used transformational leadership theories to ensure that medical students would develop a strong vision and apply newly developed competencies toward leadership opportunities. Bolman and Deal's26 leadership framework emphasizes how effective leadership must simultaneously understand and manage structures, human resources, politics, and symbols. This leadership framework teaches emerging leaders how to learn from different leadership styles (e.g., internal versus external) and to learn the competencies that deal with the processes of leadership in addition to the outcomes. From this leadership theory, we ensured that students had sufficient curricular time exploring different leadership styles to make groups more effective, and to learn skills such as facilitating discussions, building coalitions, and running effective meetings.A final leadership framework acknowledges leadership in its service to underserved populations. Originating in part from Robert Greenleaf's work on servant leadership, this framework emphasizes the transformation that occurs from the bottom up rather than the top down. Leadership of this type is often based in communities.27,28 We used this theory to help guide community projects, select guest speakers, and develop classroom activities exemplifying leadership.The course instructors for the selective come from an interdisciplinary background, including health behavior, education, and medicine. Course faculty, all from UNC, had prior experience in teaching about leadership, and several had also taught in the UNC School of Public Health's leadership program.From these theories, frameworks, and experiences, the instructors selected the following curriculum strategies: * Understanding the importance of developing a transforming vision to guide leadership goals; * Understanding the value of different leadership styles; * Using self-reflection to identify personal strengths, weaknesses, values, and ethics; * Identifying and connecting with appropriate role models and mentors and practicing networking skills; * Focusing on team-building skills (i.e., facilitation, giving and receiving constructive feedback, conflict resolution); * Learning and applying media and policy advocacy skills necessary for structural change (i.e., preparing and giving presentations, organizing community activism, using the media); * Demonstrating collaboration and fundraising skills needed for successful leadership; and * Demonstrating commitments to community-based leadership by applying learned skill sets to service projects rooted in the community.