Navigating turbulence: leadership evolution in crisis management through response-recovery frameworks

PurposeThis study aims to explore the role of organisations and leaders in addressing crises, with a focus on the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. It proposes a conceptual framework that integrates leadership competencies and crisis management, the response-recovery framework, explained through the five-stage cycle starting from crisis identification, crisis planning, crisis containment, crisis recovery, to redesigning crisis management.Design/methodology/approachThis research relies on an extensive review of literature on leadership and crisis management. A structured bibliometric analysis was conducted using tools like VOSViewer and Scopus, supported by thematic synthesis, to identify key themes and trends.FindingsThis study establishes a response-recovery framework for crisis management. It identifies essential leadership roles and competencies required during various phases of crises, including crisis identification, planning, containment, recovery and redesigning management. It highlights the dynamic evolution of leadership roles and the significance of effective communication, organisational resilience and distributed leadership.Practical implicationsThe proposed response-recovery framework provides actionable insights for practitioners to navigate crises effectively. It emphasises the importance of adaptable leadership styles, proactive crisis planning and fostering resilience, offering organisations a roadmap for handling future crises.Originality/valueThis study offers a unique integration of leadership and crisis management literature, presenting a novel framework aligned with the changing demands of crises. Its focus on leadership evolution across crisis stages provides valuable theoretical and practical contributions for scholars and practitioners.