Description
Why do some organizations prosper while others deteriorate? Why do some flourish during a period of change while others calcify? Why do some, previously known for their mediocrity, become exemplary?
While there have been many attempts to answer these questions in the corporate, for-profit world, Anthony and Huckshorn set out to find out what makes a difference in the world of mental health. More specifically, they wanted to learn how mental health organizations become successful and responsive systems of care that are recovery oriented, consumer centered, and non-coercive.
To this end, Anthony and Huckshorn interviewed leaders at all levels in the mental health field who have shown the ability to transform their organizations—federal administrators, commissioners, agency directors, program managers. What they found is that big or small, public or private, and independent of professional discipline—it’s the quality and effectiveness of its leadership that fuels a successful organization.
From their extensive interviews with these exemplary leaders, Anthony and Huckshorn advance eight leadership principles and accompanying tasks that they found to be critical for effective leadership. They contend that staff at all levels can become the “CEO” in their own spheres of influence, and they provide the template for doing so. While Anthony and Huckshorn focus specifically on the field of mental health, the principles advanced in Principled Leadership are relevant and critical to effective leadership in all organizations.
Citation: Anthony, W.A., & Huckshorn, K.A. (2008). Principled leadership in mental health systems and programs. Boston: Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
view excerpts from book
Companion Product
Principled Leadership In Mental Health Systems and Programs:
A Guide for Teachers and Trainers
by R. Scott Graham
Commissioned by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, with funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA/CMHS).
The Principled Leadership Guide is particularly useful for teachers, trainers, or directors who are using multiple copies of Principled Leadership and wish to have additional lecture or reading material and assignments.
Free download in pdf format available.
William A. Anthony, PhD, is executive director of Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and professor in the University’s College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. For the past 35 years, Anthony has worked in various roles in the field of mental health and psychiatric rehabilitation, and has been honored for his performance as a researcher, an educator, and a clinician. He is current co-editor of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. In 1988, Anthony received the Distinguished Services Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness; and in 1992, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the President of the United States for his efforts “promoting the dignity, equality, independence, and employment of people with disabilities.” Anthony has appeared on ABC’s “Nightline,” which featured a rehabilitation program developed and implemented by Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. He has authored over 100 articles in professional journals, 14 textbooks, and several dozen book chapters.
Kevin Ann Huckshorn, RN, MSN, CSP, ICDC, is director of the Office of Technical Assistance for the National Association for State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the National Coordinating Center for Seclusion and Restraint Reduction. She is a licensed and certified mental health nurse and substance abuse clinician with practical knowledge from 25 years of professional frontline experience working in a variety of public and private mental health organizations and substance abuse programs. Ms. Huckshorn is a frequent speaker at national conferences related to behavior health and also works internationally on such issues as the prevention of violence and the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health settings. She is currently in the dissertation phase of her doctoral program; has published articles on violence, treatment adherence, and workforce development; and serves on the editorial boards of three U.S. peer-reviewed mental health journals.
Reviews
Click here to read a review from the Psychiatric Services journal
Hogan, M. F., (2009). Book Review: Principled leadership in mental health systems and programs. Psychiatric Services, (60)5, 709-710.
Click here to read a review from the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
Zipple, A. M. (2009). Book Review: Principled leadership in mental health systems and programs. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, (34)4, 134-135.
Click here for a review from the Behavioral Healthcare Journal
McAlarney, B. P. (2008). Emphasizing ‘principled leadership.’ A new book says well-trained leaders are key to creating recovery-based systems. Behavioral Healthcare Journal, 28(8), 29-30.
…A must read for current and future leaders in our field, regardless of professional background or clinical perspective. Rich with both theoretical concepts and practical advice, it should be on the shelf of every mental health leader and administrator….
Steven Sharfstein, MD, President and CEO, Sheppard Pratt Health System; Clinical Professor and Vice-Chair of Psychiatry, University of Maryland; Past President, American Psychiatric Association
…Challenge[s] us to move away from “command and control” and instead to embrace a style of leadership that reflects our own authenticity of values. With works such as this one, perhaps transforming mental health leadership is indeed possible after all.
Gail P. Hutchings, MPA, President and CEO, Behavioral Health Policy Collaborative; Former Chief of Staff, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services
…Real world vignettes from well-known and respected leaders in the field provide a rich and interesting read on a subject that often is presented only theoretically….Puts to rest the myth that effective, successful leadership is based on genes, luck, or financial resources.
Robert W. Glover, PhD, Executive Director, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)
…A marvelous book. Although targeted at mental health professionals, its main messages apply to any organization. It can be read profitably by students of management anywhere.
Zvi Bodie, PhD, Norman and Adele Barron Professor of Management, Boston University School of Management
…Compels current leaders to think about what they are doing well and what they
should consider changing.…Should be required reading for leaders and students of leadership who wish to transition from clinical roles into leadership roles.
Aaron Groves, MD, Director of Mental Health, Queensland Health, Australia
…Sound advice to help leaders in our field achieve success in what is, without question,
a most difficult leadership challenge.
Miles F. Shore, MD, Bullard Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Visiting Scholar, Kennedy School of Government
…From the void of research on mental health leadership, emerges a wonderful book by two experienced leaders.…While clearly based on U.S. experiences, it has significant value internationally.
Fran Silvestri, Director, International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership, New Zealand
