ORIGINAL PAPER ΕΡΕΥΝΗΤΙΚΗ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ ARCHIVES OF HELLENIC MEDICINE 2024, 41(5):680-690 ÁÑ×ÅÉÁ ÅËËÇÍÉÊÇÓ ÉÁÔÑÉÊÇÓ 2024, 41(5):680-690 Leader-member exchanges in military healthcare organizations The interplay of relational dynamics OBJECTIVE To explore the dynamics of dyadic interactions, as it was argued that leader-member relationships are formed and evolved as a social elabo- ration of interdependent dynamics that in turn shape the quality of those relationships in the specific social context. METHOD A quantitative survey was carried out in a military hospital where 53 leaders and 160 members that participated successfully established 160 leader-member pairs. RESULTS It was found that relational dynamics which exist in the military healthcare context shape the quality of leader-member relationships, influencing in turn leadership effectiveness. It was also shown that subordinates’ intentional withholding of opinions and suggestions around work issues negatively influ- ences members’ perception of the quality of their relationship with leaders and this negative phenomenon in relationships can be eased by building up strong relational identities and increasing the frequency of leader-member meetings. CONCLUSIONS The understanding of human social constructions was reinforced by giving prominence to the existence of certain dynamics (relational identity, organizational silence and frequency of work meetings) which influence leadership relationships among military healthcare profes- sionals. The study’s findings support the notion that enhancing self-worth through quality leader-member interactions and supporting open communi- cation constitute a stepping-stone towards work effectiveness in healthcare organizations. ............................................... Ε. Maritsa, 1 A. Goula, 1 A. Psychogios, 2 D. Latsou, 1 G. Pierrakos 1 1 Department of Business Administration, School of Administrative, Economics and Social Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece 2 Business School of Loughborough, University of Loughborough, Loughborough, United Kingdom; ALBA Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece Copyright © Athens Medical Society www.mednet.gr/archives ARCHIVES OF HELLENIC MEDICINE: ISSN 11-05-3992 Η διεπαφή ηγέτη-μέλους σε στρατιωτικούς οργανισμούς υγειονομικής περίθαλψης: Η αλληλεπίδραση των σχεσιακών δυναμικών Περίληψη στο τέλος του άρθρου Submitted 18.11.2023 Accepted 9.12.2023 Key words Leader-member exchange Military hospital Organizational silence Relational dynamics Relational identity It has not always been the case in the past, but nowa- days leaders face one of the biggest challenges which is to make people and organizations, especially healthcare organizations being adaptable and resilient in the face of increasingly dynamic and demanding environments (e.g. bioevents, market unpredictability, abrupt change of work conditions). 1 In this complex, eco-systems members that constitute the organizational social capital need to view their everyday practices through the lens of “relational versatile presence” in order to evolve in the workplace. 2,3 This relational approach provides a subtle understanding of leadership practices that is crucial in healthcare set- tings where science and rational methods of healthcare professionals are influenced by the unpredictability of medical-emergency, affecting relationships, their inter- dependencies and the effectiveness of management in healthcare organizations. 4–6 Moreover, there is a pressure placed on leaders in healthcare environments due to the economic downturn, the current health crisis (COVID-19) and by taking into ac- count that exposure to traumatic events (natural disasters, violence, terrorism) is common and more than 2/3 of the general population may experience them during their life cycle. 7,8 In this crisis context, it was made clear that a leader- ful environment or organization was needed to address the issues. As it is mentioned, people in the military are used to working under stress in uncertain environments and they are organized, have a good logistics set-up and are usually