Date of Award

Spring 2-2-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Marilou Ryder

Second Advisor

George Giokaris

Third Advisor

Stephanie Herrera

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how highly effective PT leaders use the three competencies of HPTs (clarity, connection, and communication) to increase engagement, prevent burnout, and achieve organizational objectives. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that highly effective PT leaders perceive the three HPTE core competencies impact their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: The mixed methods study identified and described eight PT leaders’ perceptions of how they use clarity, connection, and communication to build and sustain HPTs. PT leaders were selected through purposive and snowball sampling based on their experience and influence in the field. Data collection included quantitative scoring and qualitative analysis, capturing emerging themes of how leaders apply the HPTE framework to shape team performance.

Findings: The study revealed that clarity, connection, and communication are interdependent and collectively essential for building HPTs. Clarity, through well-defined shared vision and roles, aligns individual and team efforts to reduce uncertainty. Connection, rooted in psychological safety, fosters collaboration, mitigates burnout, and strengthens team cohesion. Communication catalyzes clarity and connection through consistency, transparency, and adaptability. These competencies work synergistically, combining their independent strengths and interdependent nature to create alignment and cohesion that enhance team performance and drive organizational success

Conclusions: The study underscores how effective PT leaders integrate clarity, connection, and communication to increase engagement, reduce burnout, and achieve organizational objectives. By cultivating clear directives, strong interpersonal relationships, and open communication, PT leaders enable their teams to sustain high performance in dynamic, high-pressure environments like healthcare.

Recommendations: It is recommended that PT leaders strategically apply the HPTE framework to boost engagement, mitigate burnout, and drive organizational success. Leaders should utilize the framework as a diagnostic tool to assess and identify performance gaps within existing teams, thereby establishing a baseline for targeted interventions. For newly formed teams, integrating the framework from inception ensures its principles are embedded within the team’s foundational culture. By cultivating environments where team members feel valued, empowered, and supported, leaders can enhance team performance and set a benchmark for effective and sustainable leadership.

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