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Managing through a crisis: emotional leadership strategies of high-growth entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

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  • Kautsar Ramli
  • Ben Spigel
  • Nick Williams
  • Suzanne Mawson
  • Sarah Jack

Abstract

This study explores how high-growth entrepreneurs use well-being and emotional labour as tools to respond to crises. Drawing on 173 longitudinal interviews with 57 high-growth entrepreneurs during the Covid-19 crisis, we explore internal crisis response strategies. The data show that entrepreneurs employ a variety of emotional labour practices which produce organizational resilience. However, these practices are in tension with the strategic practices required for economic resilience. We show how the emotional of entrepreneurs serves as part of their crisis leadership strategy. This adds a new perspective to the literature on entrepreneurial crisis and resilience by showing the complexity of internal reactions to sudden and prolonged shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Kautsar Ramli & Ben Spigel & Nick Williams & Suzanne Mawson & Sarah Jack, 2023. "Managing through a crisis: emotional leadership strategies of high-growth entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1-2), pages 24-48, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:35:y:2023:i:1-2:p:24-48
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2022.2143905
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    Cited by:

    1. Soumaya El Hayek Sfeir & Andreas Kallmuenzer, 2025. "The Will to Sustain Through Shocks, Wars and Crises: How the History of a Country Influences the Behaviour of the Family CEO," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 297-318, March.
    2. Berman Tal & Schallmo Daniel & Kraus Sascha & Moloi Tankiso, 2026. "Digital Entrepreneurship in Times of Crises: Building Entrepreneurial Resilience Through Dynamic Capabilities," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 16(1), pages 35-72.
    3. Ross Brown & Rachael Rees-Jones, 2025. "Learning to ride the high growth “Rollercoaster”: the role of publicly funded business accelerator programmes," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 511-530, February.
    4. Yang, Fu & Lu, Mengqian & Zhou, Zihan, 2025. "Facing grand challenges: implications for entrepreneur fearful emotional response on venture goal progress," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).

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