Enhancing the leadership capacity of middle managers through learning circles

Middle Managers in the Canadian healthcare system will face a panoply of leadership challenges and changes in the years to come. This thesis explores how learning circles can contribute to enhancing the leadership capacity of Middle Management within the Restigouche Health Authority (RHA).;Project findings and conclusions revealed the effectiveness of learning circles as a vehicle to enhance the learning and leadership potential of Middle Managers within the RHA by (a) increasing participant satisfaction, (b) increasing organizational cohesion, (c) contributing to leadership competencies, and (d) engaging participants.;All action research activities carried out for the purpose of this project focused on the operationalization of strategic directions through the development of a departmental or program health and business plan model linking organizational and departmental objectives to the budgeting process.