Looi, JeffreyAllison, StephenKisely, Stephen RBastiampillai, Tarun2024-12-132024-12-131039-8562https://hdl.handle.net/1885/733730643Objectives: There are ongoing challenges in workforce sustainability and service delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruiting credible clinical leaders can enhance outcomes through mentoring, leading by example, and creating positive work environments. We investigate the anthropology of, and related research on leadership. Conclusions Clinical and anthropological research provides strong grounds for investing in clinical leadership. The stability of ‘prestige-based’ leadership can be contrasted with the outcomes of ‘dominance-based’ leadership that relies on force, control, and threats. Dominance-based leadership increases the risks of bullying in stressed healthcare organisations. In contrast, expert clinical leaders can exert culturally mediated effects on social learning, team cooperation and morale, and patient outcomes.application/pdfen-AU© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2023https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/physician leadershipanthropologyworkforce202310.1177/103985622311691282024-01-21CC BY-NC 4.0