Fostering public health leadership

The crescendo of seemingly intractable threats to our global well-being has prompted a call for more leaders in public health. Indeed, many highly motivated and well-intentioned individuals seem poised to respond. But as aspiring public health leaders prepare for action, there is a marked dearth of proven and tested teachings, models and frameworks to guide them. With relatively little public health literature on the topic, those hungry for leadership insights might understandably turn to the abundant lessons generated in the business, government, military and even sports sectors. However, such an approach not only overlooks the special nature of public health problems but also the unique opportunities that make leadership in public health a rich source of inspiration, frustration and fascination.