Role of leadership style selection and management in clinical diagnostic laboratory management: A short review

The study focuses on the role of the head of the laboratory in terms of management and leadership. The choice of leadership and management style is important in the management of a clinical diagnostic laboratory. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages, and the selection of a specific style depends on the goals, tasks, and characteristics of the healthcare facility. An authoritarian leadership style can be effective when fast decision-making is needed or during crisis; however, it may cause dissatisfaction among employees and lead to conflicts. Conversely, a democratic leadership style allows for the consideration of the opinions and suggestions of all participants, which contributes to increased motivation and improved teamwork; however, it may require more time when making decisions. Leadership styles can be combined, for example, the situational leadership style, which is effective for creating and introducing innovations in an organization. Thus, the specific characteristics of the clinical diagnostic laboratory, such as its size, number of employees, complexity of the processes, technologies used, and quality of management system requirements must be considered for reproducibility and accuracy of results. For example, if the laboratory is a centralized organization with many departments, implementing a combination of different leadership styles depending on specific tasks may be effective. The choice of leadership and management styles for managing a clinical diagnostic laboratory should be based on an analysis of the situation, needs and goals of the organization, and manager’s personality and should consider the opinions and preferences of its employees. Identifying employees with leadership potential and investing in their training in the hospital will help create future leaders.