Leadership in Occupational Therapy: Cultivating Diversity & Inclusion

This essay examines the critical role of leadership in occupational therapy, particularly in the context of an increasingly diverse patient population. It highlights the necessity for inclusive leadership that values cultural safety and compassion, as emphasized by the American Occupational Thera...Read More

Running head: LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Leadership in Occupational Therapy
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy can be considered an allied healthcare domain which provides
significant assistance in providing holistic care to different patients. It has to be mentioned that
the population of United States is undeniably becoming increasingly richer with cultural
diversity and ethnicity. Hence the occupational therapy workforce will also have to mirror the
demographic changes (Braveman, 2016). This assignment will focus on the need for diversified
and inclusive leadership within the occupational therapy workforce.
According to the Fleming-Castaldy and Patro (2012), diversity within a professions like
occupational therapy can only be facilitated if a more inclusive environment can be developed.
Occupational therapy leadership has become one of the basic necessities in the present day
scenario where a diverse workforce is the only option available to provide care that is patient
centered and with meaningful client provider relationship. It has to be mentioned in this context
that different ethnic backgrounds have different mindsets and perception of health and wellbeing,
similarly the traditional understanding of healing gives rise to unique needs and believes in the
diverse client groups. Without a diverse workforce within occupational therapy, it is impossible
to address each and every unique need of the ethnically diverse client population.
According to the Lopez and Wong (2018), diversified workforce is facilitated in the
hands of a culturally diverse and compassionate leader. Cultural safety has compassion and
respect for each and every cultural background as fundamental elements. Hence the American
Occupational Therapy Association has identified the need for a heartfelt compassionate leader in
order to diversify the occupational therapy workforce. According to the Stoffel (2016), it is
primal that the leadership of occupational therapy workforce provides every member shared
decision making and compassion in order to build on the individual strengths of different

2LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
members belonging to different ethnic groups, which in turn can better understand the needs of
diverse clientele.
Emphasizing on my own leadership capabilities, the leadership qualities that I personally
have include democratic leadership tendency with the addition of directive leadership tendencies
as well. It has to be acknowledged that an effective leader performs situational and
transformational leadership at all times regardless of the challenges or obstacles that are
prevalent in the scenario. The results that I have acquired from the leadership questionnaire
exercise indicate that my most frequent tendencies are towards democratic or detective
leadership style however I do not have emergent leadership tendency at all. Although, diversified
leadership qualities are the need of the hour in case of occupational therapy and hence I will also
have to acquire all different styles of leadership capability so that I can practice situational
leadership effectively within my professional domain.
I already possess qualities like critical thinking and decision making and effective
communication which will help me effectively in becoming a leader that can manage a team of
culturally diverse professionals. Although, my weakness that can hinder my progress as a leader
is my concern and anxiety over deadlines. However, the 8 leadership strategies like commitment
to the values of justice and caring, strong self respect, critical and creative thinking, effective
communication and interaction, willful risk taking behavior, appropriate power exercise,
articulation of positive sense of direction and evoking hope will help me build my strengths
further and will help me work on my weaknesses effectively.
On a concluding note, I would like to mention that occupational therapy is a profession
that is crucial for a population that is aging fast with more than 50% of the population requiring

3LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
disability assistance. In order to satisfy the names of these diversify clientele, the occupational
therapy workforce will also have to acquire professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. In
order to retain the diverse workforce within the occupational therapy field, the need for adequate
leadership is also essential. My personal leadership qualities are only directive or democratic,
which are not sufficient for the compassionate situational leadership needs of the occupational
therapy field. Hence I would have to acquire different leadership styles so that I can develop my
leadership capabilities further and can nurture a group of culturally diverse occupational
therapists providing culturally safe and effective care to diverse client population.

4LEADERSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
References:
Braveman, B. (2016). Leading & managing occupational therapy services: an evidence-based
approach. FA Davis.
Fleming-Castaldy, R. P., & Patro, J. (2012). Leadership in occupational therapy: Self-perceptions
of occupational therapy managers. Occupational therapy in health care, 26(2-3), 187-
202.
Lopez, M., & Wong, B. (2018). Increasing Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Communities
Within Occupational Therapy (pp. 14-17). Retrieved from
https://www.aota.org/otpractice
Stoffel, V. C. (2013). From heartfelt leadership to compassionate care (Inaugural Presidential
Address). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 633–640.