It is widely accepted that the Canadian health sector, like other industries, will likely face a significant shortage of senior leaders due to the changing demographics in our country. Future leaders will not only have to navigate the needs of an aging population, they also face the challenge of chronic disease management, obesity and other population health concerns, funding shortfalls, advances in medical and information technologies, and a host of other factors that all put stress on the Canadian health system.

In 2006, the Health Care Leaders Association of British Columbia (HCLABC), in collaboration with major health employers and post-secondary institutions, began developing a learning process that could enhance the overall quality and quantity of health leadersin BC.

During the research stage, it was recognized that a clear definition of leadership in the health sector needed to be established. The result was the creation of the LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework, which defines the skills and qualities needed for leadership in the health sector.

In the early stages, the launch team of leadersforlife worked alongside provincial health authorities and health organizations across Canada as they officially adopted the LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework. “Adopting the LEADS Framework,” a common saying in health organizations across Canada, signifies that an organization officially recognizes LEADS as their framework for leadership success, and is committed to aligning all of their HR, leadership development, and people strategies to the framework.

The original focus of the leadersforlife initiative was to design and deliver a full-scale talent and leadership development process for health organizations across Canada.