Leadership for Resilient and Socially Sustainable Organizations Post COVID-19 Era—An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has adversely impacted human beings socially, environmentally, and economically, who are yet to come to terms with this devastating crisis. Organizations not only in India but also across the world need to understand the nature of its impact and prepare accordingly to face similar challenges in future by developing appropriate strategies, leadership behaviors, and competencies. Survey data were collected from leaders across industries through a questionnaire. The findings showed that the impact of the crisis was severe and to face similar challenges, organizations need to develop leaders who are empathetic, responsive, trusting, and people and environmentally friendly. As the study is qualitative in nature, it is indicative and hence no generalizations could be made. Yet, important decisions could, however, be made for building responsive, resilient, and socially sustainable organizations based on the qualitative analysis. The study has implications for managers to understand the impact of a crisis like COVID-19 to strategize and prepare their organizations for facing COVID-19 like pandemic in future. The research in the area of leadership in the face of a crisis like COVID-19 is lacking and fragmented and thus an attempt to fill this wide gap in the extant literature. The research conducted in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in India is original and makes an immense contribution to prepare organizations to be ready for the new normal in future. It also suggests leadership behaviors and competencies needed for resilient and socially sustainable organizations for people, planet, and prosperity for all.