title: Full-range public health leadership, part 1: quantitative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workforce and leadership development are central to the future of public health. However, public health has been slow to translate and apply leadership models from other professions and to incorporate local perspectives in understanding public health leadership.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study utilized the full-range leadership model in order to examine public health leadership. Specifically, it sought to measure leadership styles among local health department directors and to understand the context of leadership in local health departments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Leadership styles among local health department directors (n = 13) were examined using survey methodology. Quantitative analysis methods included descriptive statistics, boxplots, and Pearson bivariate correlations using SPSS v18.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-reported leadership styles were highly correlated to leadership outcomes at the organizational level. However, they were not related to county health rankings. Results suggest the preeminence of leader behaviors and providing individual consideration to staff as compared to idealized attributes of leaders, intellectual stimulation, or inspirational motivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Holistic leadership assessment instruments such as the multifactor leadership questionnaire can be useful in assessing public health leaders' approaches and outcomes. Comprehensive, 360-degree reviews may be especially helpful. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of public health leadership development models, as well as the extent that public health leadership impacts public health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, University of Memphis , Memphis, TN , USA.
authors.forename: Erik L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Carlton
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Holsinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riddell
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY , USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bush
keywords: full-range leadership; local health department; multifactor leadership questionnaire; public health leadership; public health workforce development; transformational leadership