Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member–HR, Capacity Building Commission, delivered a session for Presidents and Executive Directors of New AIIMS on the theme, “Exercising Leadership for Strengthening Public Health Institutions.” The session invited senior leaders to reflect on a fundamental question: When you hear the word “Leadership”, what comes to mind? The discussion emphasised that leadership is not merely a function of authority or position, but an act of conscious choice, action driven by trust. It is about knowing one’s self, understanding others, and choosing the actions that bind the self to others in pursuit of a larger institutional purpose.
In public health institutions, leadership is often exercised amid uncertainty, ethical dilemmas, and competing expectations. The session highlighted key dimensions of leadership practice, including knowledge of the self, the observer state that enables thoughtful response rather than reaction, deep listening that builds trust across stakeholders, and resilience in the face of adversity. In apex institutions where clinical excellence, research, teaching, and public accountability intersect, leadership shapes culture. Strengthening India’s public health systems will depend on leaders who cultivate inner clarity, act with ethical consciousness, and enable collective responsibility across institutions.
