God kommunikasjon er å oppnå forståelse

Abstract

In this study we intend to achieve a better understanding of how hospital Department Heads use communication as a tool in their leadership role. We have seen that there are many individual interpretations of what communication in leadership entails. This includes one-way, two-way and circular communication. The use of formal communication is still necessary however a more relational approach is prioritized by many leaders. Every Department Head has his/her own way to make communication a leadership tool, and we have seen it combined thoughtfully with professional experience and organizational understanding. In hospitals with traditions of vocational division and hierarchy, the written guidelines on how to fill the leadership role might have underestimated the use of relational communication in leadership. To succeed in the role of hospital Department Head requires skilled behavior in communication and balancing relational communication together with structural management tools seem to be the key to success.