Healthcare organizations continue to face workforce shortages, burnout, and retention challenges that require more than operational fixes alone. This peer-reviewed research article examines how healthcare employees’ perceptions of leadership warmth and competence influence their occupational well-being and job loyalty.

Fidelum Health research with 1,907 employees from a large, regional U.S. health system finds that leaders perceived as both warm and competent strengthen employee loyalty. However, warmth-driven leadership — reflected in empathy, responsiveness, and genuine concern for employees as people — has a particularly powerful effect on well-being by increasing positive work-related emotions and reducing negative ones. The findings offer practical guidance for healthcare organizations seeking to improve employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture through more relationship-centered leadership.