Reflections on how country leaders have tackled COVID-19: how androgynous leadership succeeded in this crisis

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

This viewpoint paper concentrates on extracting lessons from the leadership styles adopted by various country leaders in response to the COVID-19 crisis. It was revealed that androgynous leaders like Germany's Angela Merkel – who blended a mixture of masculine and feminine traits into their leadership style – achieved the best results for their populations by minimizing deaths. Therefore COVID-19 has revealed androgynous leadership to be a multifaceted success for crisis management, in comparison with the traditional male approaches adopted by people like Donald Trump.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Citation

(2021), "Reflections on how country leaders have tackled COVID-19: how androgynous leadership succeeded in this crisis", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 41-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-03-2021-0046