Organizational Structure in UnitedHealth Group: Communication Strategies and Leadership Styles

This report analyzes the organizational structure of UnitedHealth Group, a well-known healthcare organization in the US. It discusses communication strategies, leadership styles, and sources of power used by the company.

Running head: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
organizational structure

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 1
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Organizational Chart (UnitedHealthcare, 2011)..........................................................................................3
Communication Strategies...........................................................................................................................4
Active Listening......................................................................................................................................4
Use of Available Communication Tools in Marketplace.........................................................................4
Leadership Styles to Manage Organizational Dynamics..............................................................................4
Democratic Leadership............................................................................................................................4
Development Oriented Style....................................................................................................................4
Leadership Styles to Manage Change..........................................................................................................4
Transformational Leadership...................................................................................................................4
Sources of Power.........................................................................................................................................5
Positional Power......................................................................................................................................5
Expert Power...........................................................................................................................................5
Referent Power........................................................................................................................................5
Coercive Power.......................................................................................................................................5
Reward Power.........................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................5
References...................................................................................................................................................7

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 2
Introduction
The management of healthcare organizations needs and effective leadership with an
efficient communication system which may help in providing a quick and rapid response to the
needs of the society. This report contains the study of a well-known healthcare organization of
the United States named as UnitedHealth Group, serving more than 85 million patients all over
the world.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 3
Organizational Chart (UnitedHealthcare, 2011)
PRESIDENT
ASSOCIATE
GENERAL
COUNSEL
IMPLEMENTAT
ION
MANAGER
INFORMATION
SYSTEM
DIRECTOR
CLERICAL STAFF
CHIEF
MEDICAL
OFFICER
HUMAN
CAPITAL
PARTNER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
COMMUNITY
RELATION
DIRECTOR
CASE
MANAGEMEN
T
ADMINISTRAT
OR
COMPLIANC
E OFFICER
CONTRACT
COMPLIANCE
OFFICER
NETWORK
DEVELOPME
NT OFFICER
CONCURRENT
REVIEW STAFF
PRIOR
AUTHORIZATI
ON STAFF
MEDICAL
MANAGEMENT
COORDINATOR
CLAIMS
ADMINISTRAT
OR
MEMBER
SERVICES
DIRECTOR
GRIEVANCE
SYSTEM
MANAGER
NETWORK
STRATEGY
LEAD
CASE
MANAGEMENT
STAFF
FRAUD AND
ABUSE
ENCOUNTER
PROCESSING
STAFF
CLAIMS
PROCESSING
STAFF
MEMBER
SERVICES
STAFF

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 4
Communication Strategies
Active Listening
First and foremost effective communication strategy is the listening to the other person
actively. The managers and directors should listen to the issues and considerations of the
operational level employees carefully. Their ideas and issue should not be neglected as it may
create a sense of carelessness human resource of the organization.
Use of Available Communication Tools in Marketplace
There are a lot of tools available to enhance the effectiveness of communication such as
social media, traditional media, town hall meetings, physician events, rewards and recognition
functions etc. These events enable the individuals to face each other in an informal manner and
share their professional as well as personal lives. The use of such events may help the
UnitedHealth Group in the establishment of an effective communication system in the
organization (Thomas & Stephens, 2015).
Leadership Styles to Manage Organizational Dynamics
Democratic Leadership
The managers of UnitedHealth Group are required to use the Democratic style of
leadership in which opinions of the employees are involved in the decision making process and
decisions are taken as per according to the needs of the employees. This type of leadership is
liked by the most of the professionals in all industries.
Development Oriented Style
The use of this style of leadership of the UHG would help the leaders to focus on the
development of the colleagues and employees by the sense of empathy and self-awareness. In
this style, the leaders are very development oriented and implement changes and help of
employees to learn and grow (Nanjundeswaraswamy & Swamy, 2014).
Leadership Styles to Manage Change
Transformational Leadership
In transformational leadership, the leaders drive dynamic vision and creativity and
emphasis on unlocking the possible values for the purpose of adopting the required changes. This

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 5
type of leadership enables the management to look forward and addressing the risks and
challenges.
Sources of Power
Positional Power
Positional power is exercised by the upper-level management of the company who is
responsible for the assigning the task to the workforce and taking feedback for the same. The
best example of positional power is the power of CEO.
Expert Power
These powers are held by the persons having expert knowledge in their fields like
knowledge in research of medicines, antidotes, diseases and many more.
Referent Power
This power comes from the good interpersonal relations with their colleagues and
leaders. This power comes when an employee is liked and respected by the other professionals of
the organization.
Coercive Power
This power is derived from a person's ability to influence the other person via
punishments, threats, and resignations. This power helps in maintaining the decorum in
UnitedHealth Group.
Reward Power
This power is concerned with the ability of employees to influences through incentives,
promotions, and positive appraisals. This power motivates the employees to perform their jobs
with full capabilities (Bal, et al., 2008).
Conclusion
On the basis of the above study, it can be concluded that UnitedHealth Group is a well-
functioning organization in the healthcare industry. Its organizational structure is well designed
and maintained. With the help of the above-mentioned communication strategies and leadership
styles, the environment of the organization can be developed in a positive manner.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 6

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 7
References
Bal, V., Cambell, M., Steed, J. & Meddings, K., 2008. The Role of Power in Effective
Leadership. [Online]
Available at: http://www.ccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/roleOfPower.pdf
[Accessed 22 July 2018].
Kesting, P., Ulhoi, J. P., Song, L. J. & Niu, H., 2015. The impact of leadership styles on
innovation management - a review and a synthesis. Journal of Innovation Management, 3(4), pp.
22-41.
Nanjundeswaraswamy, T. S. & Swamy, D. R., 2014. Leadership styles. Advances In
Management, 7(2), pp. 57-62.
Thomas, G. F. & Stephens, K. J., 2015. An Introduction to Strategic Communication.
International Journal of Business Communication, 52(1), pp. 3-11.
UnitedHealthcare, 2011. TECHNICAL APPROACH. [Online]
Available at:
http://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/Making_Medicaid_Better/Resources/CCN_RFP_Proposals/
UnitedHealthcare_S/LA_CCN-S_B-I_Final6.24.11_REDACTED.pdf
[Accessed 22 July 2018].