Community, courage, culture and care: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of planetary health leadership in the UK health context

Background Planetary health and the delivery of planetary healthcare are growing concerns for health and health institutions globally. While the leadership required to navigate this evolving arena is an area of increasing study, little research exists exploring the experience and perceptions of leaders in this field.

Aim This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of leaders working towards planetary health in the UK health context, with a view to making recommendations on leadership and leadership development in this field.

Methods A qualitative study with 25 participants with experience of planetary health and/or planetary healthcare leadership. Virtual semistructured interviews were used for data collection and thematically analysed.

Results Six themes were identified: creating community; managing the scale of the challenge; morality; creating consensus; shaping culture and identity (as leader and/or as activist).

Conclusions This study highlights the relational, collaborative and moral aspects of leadership as central to the experience of planetary health leadership, offering recommendations for leadership educators to strengthen leadership development in this field. It also identified the critical need for the well-being needs of leaders navigating this emotive and uncharted territory to be appreciated and responded to, along with the importance of legitimising and professionalising action and leadership in this field.