Adding Value to The Recruitment Of Senior Health Service Managers: A Values-Based Recruitment Tool

Objective: ‘Values’ of Health Service Managers (HSMs) can be identified by a central organising concept of leadership, which is underpinned by emotional intelligence. Values, whether conscious or not, serve as guiding principles that shape and influence behaviour. Utilising Values-Based Recruitment (VBR) increases the likelihood of hiring the right HSM with values that align with their organisation’s values. This paper reports on the development of a 360 Degree Values-Based Reference Tool (360 VBRT). Design: A Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology was adopted to iteratively develop a deep understanding of the values held by HSMs, identify ways to assess values and develop solutions to enhance recruitment processes. This study has taken a pragmatic approach, building on previous work that recommended organisations should adopt a values-based recruitment framework, which includes values-based assessment tools. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used as an inductive approach to identify and interpret patterns within the data. Building on the foundation constructed in previous research, this study sought to develop and enhance the 360 VBRT. Results: By integrating insights from multiple referees, the 360 VBRT offers a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s values. This strengthens the recruitment process and improves the likelihood of selecting the most suitable HSM. Identifying candidates whose values align with an organisation’s values, alongside skills, knowledge and experience, supports recruiting the right person to the right role. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that inclusion of the 360 VBRT has potential to enhance recruitment by increasing the likelihood of appointing a HSM whose values align with their organisation’s values. This study highlights the need to identify values of HSMs during recruitment to enhance recruitment suitability. Employees whose values align with an organisation are more likely to be motivated, authentically lead teams, contribute to enhanced service performance, deliver high-quality care, which improves outcomes for consumers.