Redefining HIM Leadership

Leadership is one of the most examined human behavioral phenomena. While leadership appears easy to see, it remains difficult to define. Despite the abundance of leadership theories and widely known experts, there are no generally accepted definitions of leadership. The challenge of redefining health information management (HIM) leadership is compounded by the ongoing changes in HIM and the critical state of healthcare in the United States. HIM leaders have a unique opportunity and a professional responsibility to create a new vision of HIM leadership and to develop their own leadership framework. To do this they should draw on leadership theories that most resonate for the profession. Leadership theories are the frameworks that provide a guide and a lens through which leadership can be better understood and integrated into a professional’s daily life.