Insights into good supervisor work produced by digital supervisor coaching as described by master’s degree students in the social and health care field

Abstract

Gaps in management skills have been identified in the social and health field. Improved personnel management skills and new ways of strengthening skills are needed to strengthen the field’s attractiveness and retention. Digital pre-service training and content topics on good leadership is one potential solution. The target group for this study was professionals studying for a master's degree in the field of social and health care. The aim of the study was to discover what kind of transformational leadership insights could be identified in the essays reflecting on the learning of the students (n=97) of the digital pre-personal coaching course. The topic was examined using Kouze and Posner's model of transformational leadership, which includes five components: 'Modeling the way', 'inspiring a shared vision', 'challenging the process', 'enabling others to act' and 'encouraging the heart'. The essays were analyzed using inductive-deductive content analysis.The results supported transformational leadership theory and provided insights into good chaperone work that were reflected at the levels of knowing, doing and being. A frontline worker can develop their knowledge and leadership skills if they are motivated to do so. A transformational leader can create a work climate that supports innovation and renewal in their organization.