A lighthouse in a storm

Leaders can guide the team to safety during a crisis. All they have to do is assure, empathise, build trust, and communicate.

- GIRISH MAINRAI

The importance of leadership cannot be undermined in any situation or organisation. The objectives of an organisation may differ depending upon the broad mission but its accomplishment requires effective leadership. Leadership plays an important role in unifying the personal aspirations of the employees with organisational objectives, for which, leaders need to play different roles—mentor, guide, crisis manager, change agent, etc. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought leadership in times of crisis to the fore. When things are not in order due to such turbulence, the role of the leader becomes even more important. Unprecedented conditions demand extraordinary qualities from the leader to tide away from such crisis. Followers not only seek guidance, but also gauge the severity of the conditions through the behaviour of the leaders. Leaders’ stance at such times is crucial in allaying the confusion and anxiety of the followers.