Managers' perspectives on what matters in health and human services management

A survey of managers from 27 community health and human services organisations highlighted perceptions of the level of importance and challenge that they attached to 20 areas of management practice. The three areas most often selected as important and challenging were budgets/financial management, service delivery, and strategic planning. When respondents were asked about the resolution of a management issue, they emphasised the importance of competent leadership and management, and attention to planning, in combination with good communication. The overall findings support the need for the development of diverse management and leadership skills in aspiring and current workforces. Initiatives to enhance management capacity in health and human services must attend to what matters to managers, to ensure they are adequately equipped for attending to the practical demands encountered in a complex and rapidly changing service environment.