Prof. Tih harps on Transformational Leadership during End of Course Ceremony for PMEL Officers
Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, Director of Health Services (DHS) has prescribed transformational leadership as the best leadership model to keep a system together and propel growth. This was the subject of a Zoom Conference on the subject, which culminated with the end of course ceremony for 13 Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) officers; one of them being an external trainee. The twin event held on April 27, 2023 at the Chapel of Nkwen Baptist Hospital in Bamenda.
In his presentation, Prof. Tih said transformational leaders motivate and build team spirit in those they are leading thus enhancing growth because subordinates have the freedom to innovate and propose new ideas. While transformational leadership is focused on inspiring followers to work towards a shared vision, this leadership model, Prof. Tih said, is opposed to the transactional or managerial model that focuses on meeting specific goals and targets through rewards and punishment.
Although the transactional leadership style is useful in cases of emergencies when consultation is limited, the DHS prescribed the transformational model as the best option for a system as the CBC Health Services where the leaders and the workers are looking to a shared vision, which is quality health to all.
Transformational leadership style, according to Prof. Tih, has the following benefits: motivation, job satisfaction, innovation and creativity, increased productivity, improved organizational culture, and greater effectiveness when workers are doing the right things.
The DHS paid tribute to transformational leaders that have inspired and transformed the lives of many in the system and are now on a well-deserved retirement. These include: Dr. Helen Marie Schmidt and the couple, Drs. Tom and Edie Welty.
Referring to the 13 PMEL officers who came to the end of their training period, the Deputy Director of Health Services for Administration and Finance (DDAF), Mr. Warri Denis said, the CBCHS is versed with transformational leadership, reason why the system constantly organizes trainings to transmit knowledge and keep its staff up-to-date. The DDAF challenged the pioneer badge of PMEL trainees to put to use the knowledge acquired during the 3-month training, noting that they are the central actors in driving through ‘our strategic vision’.
The training ran from February 1 to April 27, 2023 in Bamenda. The newly trained PMEL officers received end of course certificates from the hands of the DHS, DDAF, Dean of Baptist School of Public Health, PMEL Manager, Administrators and Course Coordinator among other leaders that turned out to witness the twin occasion.