RETHINKING MANAGEMENT EDUCATION: STRENGTHENING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS AND HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

In many of the business and healthcare management arenas, concern has been expressed about the quality of the preparation of graduates of educational programs. Increasingly, there are demands for management educators to strengthen the development of leadership in their programs. Executives in the corporate community have argued that the Healthcare Administration and MBA curricula are not adequately focused on real world issues that are challenges in the ever changing environments of these professions (Robbins, Bradley, Spicer, and Mecklenburg, 2001). These concerns are evidenced by the dearth of qualified leaders in healthcare and business management to assume senior positions in complex organizations. To meet the leadership development challenge, management education programs must be considerably more proactive and systematic in providing educational experiences that help learners translate vision and concepts of leadership into practice (Connaughton, Lawrence, and Ruben, 2003). Further, Connaughton, et.al (2003), claim that it is impossible to determine the essential knowledge and competencies necessary to address the opportunities and challenges of our rapidly changing environment. It is certain that leadership competencies will be increasingly indispensable in a global society. This paper suggests that when it comes to leadership development in higher education, business as usual is insufficient. It addresses the need for leadership education; the concern of professionals in the field of business and healthcare management; the climate, which addresses cynicism about leaders and leadership; the leadership development challenges faced by colleges and universities; and the suggested programmatic adjustments required to achieve the desired learning outcomes