Navigating Leadership Styles in Healthcare: A Scoping Review

Background: Leadership style significantly influences hospital staff performance, which in turn impacts overall hospital efficiency. Identifying the most effective leadership approach is therefore critical to organizational success in healthcare settings. Objective: This scoping review aims to identify the most suitable leadership style(s) for the healthcare environment. Methods: A scoping review was conducted between January and September 2024 using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included English-language articles published between 2013 and 2023, with open access availability. After applying these parameters, 20 relevant articles were selected and analysed in tabular format. Results: The review found that democratic, transformational, and transactional leadership styles have the most significant positive impact on hospital staff. A blended approach incorporating these styles was shown to enhance staff morale and engagement. Conclusion: No single leadership style emerged as universally ideal in healthcare. Instead, a mixed leadership approach that integrates elements of democratic, transformational, and transactional styles appears to be most effective. Such a strategy promotes staff satisfaction and motivation, ultimately supporting the achievement of organizational goals.