Adaptive Leadership in Times of Global Crisis: Case Studies from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Article Sidebar
-
adaptive leadership, crisis management, covid-19 pandemic, organizational resilience, leadership strategies
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges globally, necessitating a reevaluation of leadership strategies. Adaptive leadership, characterized by flexibility and responsiveness, has emerged as a crucial approach for navigating crises. This research aims to investigate the role of adaptive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how leaders adjusted their strategies to manage uncertainty and foster resilience within their organizations. A qualitative case study methodology was employed, involving in-depth interviews with leaders from various sectors affected by the pandemic. Data was collected to explore the decision-making processes, communication strategies, and adaptive measures implemented to address the crisis. The analysis revealed key themes related to transparency, collaboration, and emotional intelligence as essential components of effective adaptive leadership. Findings indicate that leaders who embraced adaptive leadership principles were better equipped to navigate the complexities of the pandemic. They demonstrated agility in responding to rapidly changing circumstances, fostering a culture of trust and open communication. Additionally, these leaders prioritized employee well-being, which contributed to higher levels of engagement and morale during challenging times. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of adaptive leadership in crisis situations. It highlights the need for leaders to develop the skills necessary for flexibility and responsiveness to effectively manage future global crises. The insights gained from this research can inform leadership development programs and provide valuable lessons for organizations facing similar challenges in the future.
Full text article
References
Alamdari, S. E., Shafiee, N., & Motaghi, E. (2021). Theoretical analysis of chaos management model in global geopolitics. Geopolitics Quarterly, 17(62), 203–228. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85110096088&partnerID=40&md5=1300c5ed68f54429b4ea0d46cef010f7
Barasa, E., Mbau, R., & Gilson, L. (2018). What is resilience and how can it be nurtured? A systematic review of empirical literature on organizational resilience. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(6), 491–503. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2018.06
Boyd, E. (2011). Adapting to global climate change: Evaluating resilience in two networked public institutions. In Adapting Institutions Gov., complex. And Soc.-Ecological Resil. (pp. 240–263). Cambridge University Press; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139017237.016
Castro, R., & Moreira, A. C. (2024). Unveiling paradoxes: Navigating SMEs readiness in the post-pandemic normality. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2330114
Cuevas Shaw, L. (2021). From sensemaking to sensegiving: A discourse analysis of the scholarly communications community’s public response to the global pandemic. Learned Publishing, 34(1), 6–16. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1350
Dale Oen, V., Svihus, J., Solberg, S. H. R., Harris, A., & Eid, J. (2022). Crisis leadership in COVID-19: A qualitative study of Norwegian business leaders. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.937935
Davis-Street, J., Frangos, S., Walker, B., & Sims, G. (2018). Addressing adaptive and inherent resilience—Lessons learned from hurricane harvey. Soc. Pet. Eng. - SPE Int. Conf. Exhib. Health, Saf., Secur., Environ., Soc. Responsib. Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility 2018. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.2118/190639-ms
Elder, E., Lees-Marshment, J., & Bendle, N. T. (2022). Marketing in a crisis: Lessons from the “COVID election” in New Zealand. European Journal of Marketing, 56(8), 2340–2368. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-10-2021-0763
Fabbio, G. (2016). Coppice forests, or the changeable aspect of things, a review. Annals of Silvicultural Research, 40(2), 108–132. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.12899/asr-1286
Farazmand, A. (2007). Learning from the Katrina crisis: A global and international perspective with implications for future crisis management. Public Administration Review, 67(SUPPL. 1), 149–159. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00824.x
Fernandez, A. A., & Shaw, G. P. (2020). Academic Leadership in a Time of Crisis: The Coronavirus and COVID-19. Journal of Leadership Studies, 14(1), 39–45. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21684
Forbes, A. (2023). When servant leaders use adaptive leadership tactics for deep, sustainable change. In The Palgrave Handb. Of Servant Leadership (Vol. 2, pp. 1061–1082). Springer International Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-01323-2_62
Gottwald, J.-C., & Duggan, N. (2012). Adaptive stress: China and the global economic crisis. In The Transform. Of Asia in a Global Changing Environ. (pp. 77–91). Nova Science Publishers, Inc.; Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84895309319&partnerID=40&md5=e77bb5ee1222837e7acb4a9078b8e76b
Khalil, M., Ravaghi, H., Samhouri, D., Abo, J., Ali, A., Sakr, H., & Camacho, A. (2022). What is “hospital resilience”? A scoping review on conceptualization, operationalization, and evaluation. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1009400
Khan, E. A., Hossain, M. A., Jahed, M. A., Akter, R., & Pappas, I. O. (2024). Green strategic leadership capability: Construct development and measurement validation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 450. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141575
Kowch, E. G. (2012). Towards leading diverse, smarter and more adaptable organizations that learn. In Technol. As a Tool for Diversity Leadership: Implementation and Fut. Implications (pp. 11–34). IGI Global; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2668-3.ch002
Masys, A. J. (2021). Crisis Leadership and Sensemaking. In Adv. Sci. Tech. Sec. Appl. (pp. 271–285). Springer; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71998-2_15
McKimm, J., Ramani, S., & Nadarajah, V. D. (2021). ‘Surviving to thriving’: Leading health professions’ education through change, crisis & uncertainty. Asia Pacific Scholar, 6(3), 32–44. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.29060/TAPS.2021-6-3/OA2385
Perry, N., & Nunes, P. (2011). NEO thinks EBO - a way to shape perceptions. Eur. Conf. Inform. Manage. Eval., 457–464. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893116024&partnerID=40&md5=d24754c683913ba5d7af120e69a1debd
Pforr, C., Pillmayer, M., Joppe, M., Scherle, N., & Pechlaner, H. (2024). WICKED PROBLEMS AS TRIGGER FOR TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES. In Adv. Cult. Tour. Hosp. Res. (Vol. 17B, pp. 321–338). Emerald Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1871-31732024000017B020
Ram, K. (2020). A unified adaptive theory of global business culture. In Cult. In Glob. Bus.: Addressing Natl. And Organ. Challenges (pp. 63–75). Springer International Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60296-3_4
Rowe, L., Knight, L., Irvine, P., & Greenwood, J. (2023). Communities of practice for contemporary leadership development and knowledge exchange through work-based learning. Journal of Education and Work, 36(6), 494–510. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2023.2255149
Sharma, I., & Aggarwal, A. (2024). Leadership Dynamics and Organizational Outcomes in Hospitality and Tourism: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Journey (1990-2024). Open Psychology Journal, 17. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.2174/0118743501315832240624055225
Shen, X., & Tsai, K. S. (2016). Institutional Adaptability in China: Local Developmental Models Under Changing Economic Conditions. World Development, 87, 107–127. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.06.010
Steele, M. C., Pierre, D. E., & Priest, K. L. (2021). Waves of change: Responding, recovering, and rebuilding in crisis. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2021(172), 11–18. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20464
Su, M. (2024). Adaptive leadership in times of crisis: Exploring situational responses and contingent factors at sub-national levels. Journal of General Management. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/03063070241250092
Tirmizi, S. A. (2023). Globally responsible leadership: The courageous case of Angela Merkel. Leadership, 19(6), 549–567. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/17427150231201733
Trimble, M., Olivier, T., Anjos, L. A. P., Tadeu, N. D., Giordano, G., Donnell, L. M., Laura, R., Salvadores, F., Santana-Chaves, I. M., Torres, P. H. C., Pascual, M., Jacobi, P. R., Mazzeo, N., Zurbriggen, C., Garrido, L., Jobbágy, E., & Pahl-Wostl, C. (2022). How do basin committees deal with water crises? Reflections for adaptive water governance from South America. Ecology and Society, 27(2). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13356-270242
Udod, S., Baxter, P., Gagnon, S., Halas, G., & Raja, S. (2024). Experiences of Frontline Managers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Organizational Resilience. Healthcare (Switzerland), 12(3). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030407
Uhl-Bien, M. (2021). Complexity Leadership and Followership: Changed Leadership in a Changed World. Journal of Change Management, 21(2), 144–162. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2021.1917490
Valackiene, A. (2009). Theoretical model of employee social identification in organization managing crisis situations. Engineering Economics, 4(64), 95–102. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70449499578&partnerID=40&md5=abdfa4017f10b31c67ba8228a7960439
Vecchia, C. D., Sadik, A., & Jonah, L. (2024). Impact of climate change in emergency medicine: A narrative review. Journal of Public Health and Emergency, 8. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.21037/jphe-23-87
Vogel, B., Yumagulova, L., McBean, G., & Charles Norris, K. A. (2022). Indigenous-Led Nature-Based Solutions for the Climate Crisis: Insights from Canada. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(11). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116725
Walsh, S., & Johnston, A. (2023). Volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic: Leadership matters – the case of scrubs. Voluntary Sector Review, 14(3), 498–518. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1332/204080522X16546737814050
Wardman, J. K. (2020). Recalibrating pandemic risk leadership: Thirteen crisis ready strategies for COVID-19. Journal of Risk Research, 23(7–8), 1092–1120. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1842989
Wilson, R. L., Atem, J. M., Gumuskaya, O., Lavadas, M., Šoši?, B., & Urek, M. (2022). A call for nurses and interdisciplinary collaborators to urgently respond to the health and well-being needs of refugees across the world. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(3), e52–e61. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15134
Xiao, H., Keifert, D. T., & Silva, S. D. (2024). Humanizing students in a dehumanizing time—Faculty as crisis leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher Education Quarterly. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.12547
Yeoh, K., Wu, Y., Chakraborty, S., Elhusseiny, G., Gondhowiardjo, S., Joseph, N., Lee, A. W. M., Loong, H. H., Msadabwe-Chikuni, S. C., Tan, B. F., Ospina, A. V., Roques, T., Shum, H. M., & Yeoh, E. K. (2023). Global Health System Resilience during Encounters with Stressors – Lessons Learnt from Cancer Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clinical Oncology, 35(4), e289–e300. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2023.01.004
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Febriawan Ardi Nugroho
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
