Objective (s): Leadership style is the leader's behavior to motivate and guide followers to achieve common goals. Choosing the right leadership style plays a significant role in achieving healthcare organizations’ goals and objectives. This study aimed to identify factors influencing leadership styles of healthcare managers.
Methods: This research was conducted using interpretative phenomenology method and semi-structured interviews with 42 managers and employees of health care organizations in Tehran, Iran, in 2023. The research samples were selected by purposeful and snowball sampling methods. Thematic analysis method was used for data analysis.
Results: Twenty-five factors inside and outside the healthcare organizations influence managers’ leadership style. Factors inside the healthcare organizations are related to the manager (demographic characteristics, aptitude, personality and management model), employees (demographic characteristics, aptitude, personality and compliance style) and the organization (Goals, Tasks, structure, culture and resources). Political, economic, sociological, and technological factors outside the healthcare organizations also influence healthcare managers’ leadership styles.
Conclusion: There is no superior leadership style. Managers choose the right leadership style considering various factors inside and outside the healthcare organizations. Effective leadership depends on having the right leader for the right situation.