Date of Award
2-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Organizational Leadership
First Advisor
George Giokaris, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
Bendta Friesen, Ed.D.
Third Advisor
Lisbeth Johnson, Ed.D.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe how emergency medicine (EM) physicians in leadership roles use the six EI leadership competencies related to relationship management (inspiration, influence, developing others, change catalyst, conflict management, and teamwork and collaboration) to lead teams and accomplish effective results. Methodology: This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of emergency medicine (EM) physician leaders in San Bernadino, Riverside, and Orange counties in Southern California. The participants were selected through nonprobability purposeful sampling and met the criteria “as leaders” for achieving effective results. Data were collected through semistructured interview questions and analysis of relevant artifacts. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and relevant artifacts were collected. Thematic analysis method was used to read through the data set looking for patterns to derive themes related to the research questions. Findings: The findings from the study indicated that EM physician leaders use clear and effective communication, model inspiring behavior, coach and mentor team members, practice inclusive leadership, understand different perspectives and challenge the status quo to achieve effective results for their organization. The data revealed 18 themes and 714 frequencies across the six variables, 442 from interviews and 272 from artifacts. Conclusions: Based on the literature and findings of this study, it is concluded that leadership is not merely defined by positional authority but by the profound personal development and EI-based competency skills that drive effective results. The research revealed that leaders cultivate heightened self-awareness and achieve self-mastery, serving as beacons of inspiration through their proficiency in communication and coaching, mentoring, showing empathic concern, and synergizing the diverse talents of their teams; these leaders create environments in which innovation thrives, and goals are surpassed, paving the way for sustainable success. Recommendations: It is recommended that organizations invest in mindfulness practices by creating meditation spaces to boost leaders’ self-awareness and emotional regulation. Incorporating storytelling in leadership training enhances authenticity and connection. Modernizing learning through microlearning and gamification makes development more engaging. Utilizing internal social networks can improve collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. These strategies will help cultivate self-aware, communicative, and synergistic leaders who effectively empower their teams.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Zaidi, Zoe, "Primal Leadership in Healthcare: A Phenomenological Study of Emergency Medicine Physicians and Their Perspective on Effective Leadership" (2025). Dissertations. 599.
https://digitalcommons.umassglobal.edu/edd_dissertations/599
