# The Impact of Leadership and Management in Social and Health Care - Savonia AMK

> The leadership style has a direct impact on the job satisfaction of the workers in social and healthcare industry.

## Overview
COVID-19 aggravated the situation in the social and healthcare industry worldwide, and the importance of social and health care management is huge, as it affects the wellbeing and health of millions of people. Poor management negatively influences employee motivation and satisfaction, leading to conflicts, increased sick leave, and higher turnover. In worst-case scenarios, professionals may leave their profession entirely (Ferreira, 2024, 6).

## Key Themes in Management
Based on a literature review, four primary themes emerged regarding management in the sector (Ferreira, 2024, 22):
1. Supportive leadership style and satisfaction
2. Emotional and supervisory support from the management
3. Responsive and positive leadership affecting job performance
4. Importance of motivational leadership

## The Role of Supportive Leadership
The literature review indicates that supportive and encouraging management is crucial, particularly in workplaces where existing issues are present. Effective management requires:
*   **Communication:** Regular interaction between staff and managers.
*   **Appreciation:** Management must be genuinely interested in staff wellbeing and demonstrate appreciation.
*   **Positive Environment:** A supportive organization increases positivity and satisfaction among staff (Assander et al, 2022).

Conversely, directive leadership has been shown to have a negative impact on staff satisfaction and turnover (Ngabonzima, et al. 2020, 9).

## Managerial Support and Wellbeing
Lack of managerial support causes stress and frustration. Key findings include:
*   **Recognition:** Staff require recognition from managers to improve retention (Washeya & Fürst, 2021, 14).
*   **Emotional Support:** Supervisory support helps staff manage emotional exhaustion, improving their coping mechanisms, wellbeing, and health (Akuffo, et al, 2021).
*   **Communication:** Open, honest communication and mutual respect are essential for staff wellbeing (Scanlan, et al, 2021).
*   **Valuation:** Leadership behavior directly influences whether staff feel valued, qualified, and satisfied with their work (André, Jacobsen & Haugan, 2022, 4).

## Multiprofessional Collaboration
Management plays a vital role in encouraging collaboration within multiprofessional teams, which positively influences patient care and quality. Positive leadership is necessary to foster a culture of positivity throughout the entire staff (André et al, 2022).

## Conclusion
Leadership style has a direct impact on job satisfaction. A supportive style, characterized by open and respectful communication, makes staff feel valued, which in turn improves retention and cooperation. Given that many social and health care workers are leaving or considering leaving the profession, it is essential to focus on the training and development of managerial skills to ensure the future of the sector.

## Authors
*   **Ana Ferreira**, Master’s degree program in Global Public Health, Savonia UAS
*   **Maria Luojus**, Principal lecturer, Savonia UAS

## References
*   André, B, Jacobsen, F & Haugan, G, 2022. How is leadership experienced in joy-of-life-nursing-homes compared to ordinary nursing homes: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing.
*   Akuffo, K, Agyei-Manu, E, Kumah, D, Danso-Appiah, A, Mohammed, A, Asare, A & Addo, E, 2021. Job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana: a cross-sectional study. National Library of Medicine.
*   Assander, S, Bergström, A, Olt, H, Guidetti, S & Boström A-M, 2022. Individual and organisational factors in the psychosocial work environment are associated with home care staffs’ job strain: a Swedish cross-sectional study. National Library of Medicine.
*   Ferreira, A, 2024. Social and healthcare management. Master´s thesis. Degree programme in Global public health. Savonia UAS.
*   Ngabonzima, A, Asingizwe, D & Kouveliotis, K, 2020. Influence of nurse and midwife managerial leadership styles on job satisfaction, intention to stay, and services provision in selected hospitals of Rwanda. National Library of Medicine.
*   Scanlan, L, Devine, S & Watkins, D, 2021. Job satisfaction of mental healthcare workers in multidisciplinary teams. National Library of Medicine.
*   Washeya, F & Fürst, L, 2021. Work Features that Influence the Retention of Professional Nurses in the Public Health Sector in Windhoek, Namibia. Africa Journal of Nursing & Midwifery.