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Crisis Leadership: Political Leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Ataus Samad

    (School of Business, Western Sydney University, Penrith South, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Khalil Al Jerjawi

    (School of Business, Western Sydney University, Penrith South, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Ann Dadich

    (School of Business, Western Sydney University, Penrith South, NSW 2751, Australia)

Abstract

This article identifies leadership attributes that enable effective leaders to manage crises. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 13 Australian political leaders, including senators, members of federal and state parliament, premiers, ministers, and mayors of local governments. The findings suggest that, to be an effective leader during a crisis, political leaders need to be: visionary; courageous; calm; inspirational; ethical; empathetic; authentic; and resilient. Single leadership theories do not capture all the attributes necessary to lead during a crisis, suggesting the importance of different, complementary theories. The findings clarify what it takes for politicians to lead during a global crisis, like COVID-19. Furthermore, they provide a foundation to enable constituents to gauge their political leaders’ leadership capacities. Despite extensive research on what it takes to lead, little is known about political leadership during a crisis. The study unveils the key attributes that are essential for political leaders to navigate a crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Ataus Samad & Khalil Al Jerjawi & Ann Dadich, 2022. "Crisis Leadership: Political Leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:266-:d:1013377
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Raquel Gilar-Corbi & Teresa Pozo-Rico & Bárbara Sánchez & Juan-Luís Castejón, 2019. "Can emotional intelligence be improved? A randomized experimental study of a business-oriented EI training program for senior managers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Mar Ortiz-Gómez & Gabriele Giorgi & Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2020. "Development and Validation of a Spanish Short Servant Leadership Survey (SSLS6-3F) among Spanish Workers in Religious Non-Profit Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, May.
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