The 4C’s of influence framework: fostering leadership development through character, competence, connection and culture

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the 4C's of Infuence framework and it's application to medicine and medical education. Leadership development is increasingly recognised as an integral physician skill. Competence, character, connection and culture are critical for effective influence and leadership. The theoretical framework, “The 4C’s of Influence”, integrates these four key dimensions of leadership and prioritises their longitudinal development, across the medical education learning continuum.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a clinical case-based illustrative model approach, the authors provide a practical, theoretical framework to prepare physicians and medical learners to be engaging influencers and leaders in the health-care system.

Findings

As leadership requires foundational skills and knowledge, a leader must be competent to best exert positive influence. Character-based leadership stresses development of, and commitment to, values and principles, in the face of everyday situational pressures. If competence confers the ability to do the right thing, character is the will to do it consistently. Leaders must value and build relationships, fostering connection. Building coalitions with diverse networks ensures different perspectives are integrated and valued. Connected leadership describes leaders who are inspirational, authentic, devolve decision-making, are explorers and foster high levels of engagement. To create a thriving, learning environment, culture must bring everything together, or will become the greatest barrier.

Originality/value

The framework is novel in applying concepts developed outside of medicine to the medical education context. The approach can be applied across the medical education continuum, building on existing frameworks which focus primarily on what competencies need to be taught. The 4C’s is a comprehensive framework for practically teaching the leadership for health care today.

Citation

Do, V., Maniate, J.M., Sultan, N. and Sonnenberg, L. (2023), "The 4C’s of influence framework: fostering leadership development through character, competence, connection and culture", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 461-478. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-05-2022-0060