Leaders may be in formal leadership roles or situated by aptitude, influence, or position to implement and sustain needed organizational changes. Whether leading formally or informally, leaders can help by providing a clear vision and direction for the organization. They can also create a culture of open communication and collaboration, which can help employees feel supported and engaged.

By managing organizational change, serving as role models of healthy behavior, and ensuring that counselors receive adequate supervision and support, leaders can play an important role in improving addiction workforce wellbeing, employee engagement, and professional development.

Some key attributes of effective leadership for a revolutionized behavioral health workforce include:

Prioritizing

Through assessment, action, and communication, make clear the organization's prioritization of workforce wellbeing, engagement, and learning.

Listening

Engage workers in decisions about operations, processes, challenges, and solutions, and offer multiple pathways for providing input.

Supervision

Provide adequate supervisory support from qualified professionals with relevant experience.

Role Modeling

Serve as a model of healthy behavior by tending to personal self-care needs, adapting work to meet personal psychological needs, and advancing personal professional development.