Crisis Leadership: Unpacking Effective Leadership Attributes in the Australian Not for Profit Sector during COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper aims to integrate the leadership attribute which may lead to a positive work environment and provide certainty among the members of Australian not-for-profit organisations during crisis. The study investigated leader perceptions of effective leadership attributes and behaviours during crisis. It is based on in depth interview of fifteen Chief Executive Officers of the Australian NFP organisation during COVID-19 pandemic as part of a greater research project on crisis leadership. The interviews were analysed using an interpretative methodology, resulting in the development of a thematic framework that encompasses leadership attributes and behaviours. The findings suggest that leadership is a journey where being visionary, passionate, and purposeful, empowering, transparent and trustworthy, and listening are key attribute of effective crisis leadership. In examining the key attributes of effective leaders during a crisis, our study uniquely contributes to the literature on crisis leadership by unpacking key attributes of effective leadership in crisis.