2025 BUMC Proceedings - Authentic leadership in clinical practice: barriers and benefits for female academic physician leaders

Abstract 

Background: Female academic physician leaders (FAPLs) encounter challenges in their leadership roles, including gendered leadership expectations or fear of judgment, impacting their ability to express authenticity. This study examined FAPLs’ perceptions of authentic leadership, factors shaping their leadership behaviors, and how authenticity influences their effectiveness as a leader. Methods: Using a convergent mixed-methods design, 40 FAPLs at Texas A&M University College of Medicine were invited to participate. Nine completed the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ), and 10 participated in semi-structured interviews. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed the strongest alignment with moral/ethical leadership dimensions, with a significant difference (P<0.05) in decision-making based on core values. Qualitative thematic analysis emphasized authenticity’s role in fostering trust, empowerment, and a positive workplace culture. However, participants reported suppressing authentic behaviors due to hierarchical constraints or fear of being perceived as weak. Authenticity was easier with career experience and mentorship from female leaders. While authenticity promoted collaboration and psychological safety, maintaining professional boundaries remained a challenge. Conclusion: FAPLs value authenticity but face various barriers. Experience, mentorship, and institutional support are crucial in fostering environments where FAPLs can thrive. Future research could explore the impact of authentic leadership on workplace cultures within academic medicine.

Keywords:  Academic medicine; authentic leadership; female physician leaders; physician leadership; relational transparency

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Faculty credentials/disclosure 

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The patient consented to the publication of this report.

Process

Click the "add to cart/begin" button, pay any relevant fee, take the quiz, complete the evaluation, and claim your CME credit.  You must achieve 100% on the quiz with unlimited attempts available.

  • By completing this process, you are attesting that you have read the journal article.

Expiration date:

Credit eligibility for this article is set to expire on September 1, 2026.

Learning Objectives

After completing the article, the learner should be able to:

  • Identify barriers that negatively impact utilization of authentic leadership by female physicians in academic leadership roles.
  • Evaluate strategies that support the development of authentic leadership among female academic physicians in academic medicine.
  • Describe the core components of authentic leadership and how female academic physician leaders (FAPLs) apply these components in academic medicine.

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Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/01/2025
Course expires: 
09/01/2026
Cost:
$25.00
Rating: 
0
  • Lindsay Mathys, BA - Department of Humanities in Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
  • Michael Dewsnap, PhD, MSEd - Department of Humanities in Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
  • Medha Narwankar, MD, MEng - Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Graduate Medical Education, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

Corresponding author: Michael Dewsnap, PhD, MSEd

Accreditation

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABIM MOC

 Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$25.00
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