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Leadership and governance in a crisis: some reflections on COVID-19

Paul Mather (Department of Accounting and Data Analytics, La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia)

Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change

ISSN: 1832-5912

Article publication date: 13 November 2020

Issue publication date: 15 December 2020

2247

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 crisis presents significant leadership and governance challenges and opportunities for organisations. This is a reflective commentary on how leaders and boards are responding to the crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on personal experiences as an employee, non-executive director and observing leaders.

Findings

That leaders emphasise values and purpose and communicate with clarity, meaning and empathy is paramount. It is organisations which continue to be agile and to adapt and change proactively with “out of the box” thinking who will thrive in the next normal.

Originality/value

The lessons learned from this unique crisis for business continuity and success in the next normal.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge the helpful comments of Tim Marjoribanks, Swati Nagpal and Suzanne Young on an earlier version of the paper. The usual caveat applies.

Citation

Mather, P. (2020), "Leadership and governance in a crisis: some reflections on COVID-19", Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 579-585. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-08-2020-0123

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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