Characteristics of strong midwifery leaders and enablers of strong midwifery leadership: An international appreciative inquiry

• Published in: Midwifery 2024-05, Vol.132, p.103982, Article 103982
• Main Authors: Pezaro, Dr Sally, Zarbiv, Gila, JONES, Jude, Feika, Mariama Lilei, Fitzgerald, Laura, Lukhele, Sanele, Mcmillan-bohler, Jacquelyn, Baloyi, Olivia B., Maravic da Silva, Ksenija, Grant, Christine, Bayliss-Pratt, Lisa, Hardtman, Pandora
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Appreciative inquiry; Australia; Canada; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Internationality; Leadership; Leadership styles; Leadership theory; Middle Aged; Midwifery; Midwives; Nurse Midwives - psychology; Nurse Midwives - statistics & numerical data; Pregnancy; Qualitative; Qualitative Research; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uganda; United Kingdom; United States
• ISSN: 0266-6138; 1532-3099; 1532-3099
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103982

•This research informs the strengthening and enablement of midwifery leaders/leadership globally.•Findings offer characteristics and enablers of strong midwifery leadership in a context where weak midwifery leadership has been linked to a range of scandals and adverse outcomes.•Characteristics were mapped to a variety of leadership styles and may inform both existing and new developments in healthcare leadership models, measurement tools and frameworks.•This study contributes to understandings of trait, behavioral, situational, transformational and servant leadership theory and practice. This research aimed to identify the characteristics of strong midwifery leaders and explore how strong midwifery leadership may be enabled from the perspective of midwives and nurse-midwives globally. In this appreciative inquiry, we collected qualitative and demographic data using a cross-sectional online survey between February and July 2022. Responses were received from many countries (n = 76), predominantly the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, the United States of America (USA), Canada, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Rwanda, India, and Kenya. An international population (n = 429) of English-speaking, and ethnically diverse midwives (n = 211) and nurse-midwives (n = 218). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to make sense of the qualitative data collected. Identified characteristics of strong midwifery leadership were subsequently deductively mapped to established leadership styles and leadership theories. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Participants identified strong midwifery leaders as being mediators, dedicated to the profession, evidence-based practitioners, effective decision makers, role models, advocates, visionaries, resilient, empathetic, and compassionate. These characteristics mapped to compassionate, transformational, servant, authentic, and situational leadership styles. To enable strong midwifery leadership, participants identified a need for investment in midwives’ clear professional identity, increased societal value placed upon the midwifery profession, ongoing research, professional development in leadership, interprofessional collaborations, succession planning and increased self-efficacy. This study contributes to understandings of trait, behavioural, situational, transformational and servant leadership theory in the context of midwifery. Investing in the development of strong midwifery leadership is essential as it has