People-centered health systems cannot be strengthened without good management and leadership. This publication shows how you, as a manager of a health program or health services, can apply proven practices for managing and leading to address the challenges you face. Leadership and management skills are needed at all levels of the health system. This chapter throws light on the topic by focusing on behaviors that managers and providers can use in any setting, whether in a community health post or the national Ministry of Health. We discuss the special case of the leadership of senior health managers because “derailment” or disruptions at this level can have enormous consequences. Finally, we present a simple action-learning approach to applying sound management and leadership practices and working through challenges.
This publication is Chapter 2 of Health Systems in Action: An eHandbook for Leaders and Managers.