Adaptive Leadership at the Time of COVID-19

Adaptive Leadership at the Time of COVID-19
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The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the flaws in leadership in many governments worldwide, as the rise in the number of mortalities and morbidities cannot be controlled secondary to the sudden and unprecedented events. The situation called for adaptive leadership, which allows the followers to hone their skills and knowledge to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances (Northouse, 2021).
Some of the issues at the time were the following: 1) The lack of resources for healthcare and other necessities, which were critical in the survival of many due to the mass lockdowns in many areas; 2) Unequal job opportunities as many establishments were forcedly or voluntarily closed; 3) Controlled mobility. The lockdowns were directed to reduce the transmissibility of the virus from one area to the next and control the rapidly increasing number of cases (Lodge & Kuchukhidze, 2020; Fraser, 2020).
Ahern & Loh (2020) shared that the pandemic brought drastic changes that prevented many to do the business, as usual, disrupting chronic routines which were previously stable and effective. The situation necessitates a holistic and massive behavioral change to guarantee collective benefits. To do so, leaders must instill trust among the public, which can be created through the following: preparedness and planning, evidence-based approach, coordination and adaptability, transparency and accountability, and authenticity.
In addition to trust, Fraser (2020) encouraged decisiveness among leaders, which can be guaranteed through excellent communication with other stakeholders. This necessitates regular conversations between stakeholders and smooth inter-agency coordination. Daily briefings are critical in the reporting of the status in the health, finance, human resources, and food and agricultural sectors, as these received the largest impact among the departments. The discussions shall be shared with the general public to maintain accountability and transparency. Hence, effective communication shall also help build trust.
The mentioned collective behavioral change is related to the adaptive leadership theory, which was recognized as a suitable intervention in times of crisis (Mayet, 2020). The theory suggests that the leaders must change their response to the situation and help the public to change their behavior to ensure a collective effort. Adaptive leaders influence others to make a flexible but focused system, guided by the changing situations and reinforced by changing values. Its purpose is to encourage people to conquer challenges and aim for growth while maintaining adaptability (Northouse, 2021).
The first step in its application is the identification of the technical and adaptive chall...