Expanding the Scope of Influence: Professional and Organizational Impact

As the leader emerges, individual skill and behavior change ripple into much broader spheres, expanding the scope of influence. Findings from the comprehensive program evaluation demonstrate the impact of the GNLA participants’ leadership development on professional/organizational systems and outcomes. Personal recognition of self as leader was rooted in a new sense of confidence.  Armed with skills in project development and conflict management, perspectives shifted from discussing problems to solving them.  Solutions took these leaders out of their usual settings into communities, regional groups, and national professional organizations. They described progressing from enhanced communication within a project team to: “transparent” communication from the bedside to the board of directors; shared forums with other professionals; and making their voices known to legislators.   Senior executives from hosting organizations echoed the success of the leadership program, citing enhanced sensitivity to the needs of older adults and, most importantly, positive shifts in key quality indicators.