Upheavals in the health care landscape threaten the sustainability of contemporary hospital organizations. Yet there is limited research regarding the characteristics of leaders within successful hospitals. The problem is the leadership styles needed to effectively run hospital organizations have not been identified and/or established. The purpose of this study was to develop a model of congruent leadership styles linked to the success of hospitals in one metropolitan city. The research questions sought to uncover (a) consistent leadership styles within successful hospitals, and (b) what, if any, relationship exists between leadership styles and measures of success. Examination of the literature uncovered the value of leadership to organizations through theoretical frameworks of organizational development, organizational culture, leadership, and change strategies that supported the need for hospital organizations to foster leadership practices associated with successful outcomes. Correlational analyses were used to examine the relationship between leadership styles and successful hospital outcomes. Primary data for this research were collected from 109 hospital leaders via the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) Form 5X. Results from this study indicated an increased likelihood of performance success with the application of transformational characteristics. These findings support positive social change as results may serve as a model for leadership practices within 21^st century hospitals. Results should further heighten social consciousness to spawn the development of related college curricula, scholarship programs, and leadership alliances that weave transformational characteristics into the leadership fabric of contemporary hospital organizations.