To analyze the phenomenon of responsible citizenship, one needs to find a coherent academic definition of it. One can analyze research articles that use the concept of “responsible citizenship” as a theoretical ground for empirical analysis. According to Gwata-Charamba (2020), responsible citizenship is characterized by strong patriotism, love of people living in the country, and acknowledgment of the major country’s laws and principles. However, the discourse about it is diverse, so different cultures and spheres imply different values in such a discussion (Hernando-Lloréns, 2020). For example, irresponsible citizenship in healthcare can be expressed in policies that impose discriminatory attitudes toward the LGBTQ community (Responsible citizenship criteria, n.d.). In this case, the healthcare organization behaves irresponsibly because it constructs wrong hierarchies that put some citizens over others.
The fruitful discussion can be derived from introducing notions of leadership and followership in the discourse. Haque (2021) indicates that “value-based leadership focuses on leader’s value components, such as honesty, integrity, accountability, patience, trust and respect” (p. 54). Healthcare administrators manifest their commitment to responsible citizenship through the traits of being inclusive, tolerant, and honest people. It is the responsibility of the administrator as a citizen to treat all patients equally and without prejudice. For instance, leaders can promote change in healthcare facility policies to encourage the development of cultural competencies among staff.
As for responsible followership, it is impossible to imagine a successful medical facility where there are no followers who will implement a leader’s projects or tasks. In fact, the understanding of the subordinate role in healthcare administration as the requirement for successful functioning is a way how responsible citizenship is expressed. The link of accountability and trust between leader and followers creates the common connection of service.
References
Gwata-Charamba, R. G. (2020). Zimbabwe: Responsible citizenship crucial driver of national development. allAfrica. Web.
Haque, A. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic and the role of responsible leadership in health care: Thinking beyond employee well-being and organisational sustainability. Leadership in Health Services, 34(1), 52-68. Web.
Hernando-Lloréns, B. (2020). Participation, technologies of the body, and agency: the limits of discourses of responsible citizenship. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 52(5), 654-672. Web.
Responsible citizenship criteria. (n.d.). Human Rights Campaign. Web.