The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), the Canadian Health Leadership Network (CHLNet), and LEADS Global are proud to announce the launch of a significant project aimed at refreshing the LEADS in a Caring Environment leadership framework, a cornerstone of healthcare leadership development in Canada since its publication in 2009. The refreshed framework, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will align leadership competencies with the evolving needs of Canadian healthcare in the face of new challenges and opportunities.
The LEADS framework, which guides leadership development in over 80% of Canadian health organizations, has played a critical role in shaping the quality of healthcare leadership across the country. However, in light of recent healthcare system challenges – including the COVID-19 pandemic, issues of equity, climate change, and workforce retention – the time is ripe for an update that reflects current global best practices while staying true to Canadian values.
The refresh will be led by a 12-member Working Group, consisting of practitioners, academics, and subject matter experts, who will use a collaborative, action-research methodology to gather input from across the healthcare sector. This process will include literature reviews, interviews, surveys, and focus groups to ensure that the updated framework reflects the latest evidence and leadership practices. Postdoctoral research academic and ethical oversight is provided in partnership with Royal Roads University.
Key deliverables include a revised LEADS framework, updated leadership development programs, a research report detailing findings, and a third edition of Bringing Leadership to Life, a foundational text that will incorporate insights from the refresh process.
For more information on the LEADS framework refresh project or to get involved, visit the CCHL website (https://cchl-ccls.ca/leads-refresh/) or follow updates on social media.
This work is supported by Mitacs through the Mitacs Elevate program.
