Victorian Psychiatrist Leadership Development Framework
The Victorian Psychiatrist Leadership Framework has been created by and for psychiatrists, in collaboration with lived and living experience.
The framework is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of leading in psychiatry and addresses the interplay and tension between the core elements of leadership in psychiatry:
- you, as a human and leader
- leading with, and for others
- ethics and professionalism and
- leading within complex systems
The framework defines leadership in psychiatry, while supporting you, the psychiatrist leader to identify, develop and demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours of strong leadership for the benefit of yourself, your people and the individuals and communities you serve.
It is intended that the framework will foster a culture of learning through the development of learning activities, paths and programs that are aligned to the unique requirements and challenges of leaders in psychiatry.
Framework Definitions
At the centre of the framework is Leading Self, acknowledging that leadership, learning and development starts with the individual.
In addition to Leading Self, there are three other (external) Core Elements of leadership in psychiatry:
- Leading Self
- Co-Leadership
- Leading Ethically
- Leading Complex Systems
All leadership learning and activities are supported by the five Supporting Practices:
- Experiential Learning
- Reflective Practice
- Ongoing Feedback
- Mentoring and Peer Support
- Self Care
Background
The Victorian Psychiatry Leadership Project was funded by the Victorian Department of Health.
The goal of the project was to develop a framework and leadership development program/s that facilitate and support the aspirations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Final Report Recommendations.
The project was led by the Working Group who provided the oversight and direction for the project and deliverables. The RANZCP Victorian Branch Committee and Board approved the proposed membership of members with a range of experience to provide different perspectives in November 2022 and in September 2023, two RANZCP lived and living experience representatives were added to the Working Group to further broaden the perspectives, experience and expertise of the group.
The Working Group took a human centred approach to the project and engaged with a wide range of valued stakeholders, including psychiatrists, those with a lived and living experience and leadership and learning specialists to gather their views and insights to inform the framework.