<span>Physician leaders span two professional groups- that of physician and of leader. While there have been many efforts at understanding the characteristics of effective physician leaders, a greater understanding is needed on the nature of physician leadership. We surveyed the largest health care organization for physician leaders in the United States to gain a greater understanding. Findings from our qualitative research guided this quantitative study, which used PLS to analyze results from 677 online surveys </span><span>to understand the causal relationship of role conflict and role endorsement to participation. Our findings reveal the mediating influence that positivity exerts upon participation. Our findings also offer physicians interested in leadership, as well as health care leaders, an opportunity to increase understanding on the social identification process that leads a higher level of professional participation, which may ultimately increase effectiveness for physicians in leadership.Doctorate of Management Programs</span>
