Crisis Leadership: literature review and qualitative analysis of leadership behaviours in times of crisis

Abstract

The aim of the thesis is, at an initial phase, to go through the most relevant and existing bibliography regarding the leadership theories and styles. In a later stage, crisis situations and leadership will be analysed, taking into consideration leadership reactions and contributions to past crisis. Different crisis leadership theories will be reported and compared, trying to figure out whether the existence of a leadership behaviour and techniques, already discussed by the available literature, can best contribute to crisis resolution. Consequently, basing on the increasing trend of crisis occurrence during the 21st Century, a qualitative interview will be proposed to some selected leaders operating in national and international contexts with the aim to understand commonalities and differences among adopted behaviours during the ongoing pandemic crisis, that might decree the success, or failure of an organization. In the light of the results obtained, a final reflection will be made on how leaders can best deal with times of change and turbulence within their organisations.