LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF ... - Drake University

experience in a variety of settings could emerge as transformational,
transactional or passive-avoidant leaders, with higher passive-avoidant
leadership styles correlating with increased CEO age at the moderate
significance level. Even as we acknowledge the presence of
transformational behaviors and traits in leaders of all ages and years of
experience, we must also consider the presence of passive-avoidant
behaviors and traits in leaders of all ages and years of experience.
Given the powerful impact of transformational leadership on
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organizational success, it is encouraging to note that hospitals in need of
recruiting CEOs can consider wide variations in the ages and experiences
of the potential candidates. Individuals of all ages and years of
experience appear to be able to contribute to a hospital's success.
The conclusions of this study offer valuable information as hospitals
prepare for the turnover or retirement of many of their CEOs. Hospital
boards can look to the new CEO without focusing on age, gender, years of
experience, or leadership training to determine the best fit. They can,
more wisely, focus on the transformational, transactional and passive-
avoidant tendencies of the prospective CEO to help guide their decision-
ma king process.
Limitations of the study
One of the limitations of this study was the ability of the CEO to
select how many and which associates to participate in the research.