Freedom and Accountability: Leaders’ Lived Experience of the Challenges Connected to Covid-19

Leaders have an important role, especially in times of crisis such as Covid-19. Fear of losing their job, infection, anxiety and more factors due to the pandemic have tremendous impact on the well-being of leaders and employees. The research objective was to obtain an insight into how leaders experience the challenges and hindrances at work due to the pandemic and shed a light on how the communication processes on their jobs function. In depth interviews were conducted with leaders to respond to the research question: How do leaders in the Icelandic labor market experience the rapidly-shifting challenges in times of Covid-19. The main findings indicate that initially they were anxious and insecure, but gained support from daily governmental guidelines and accurate information regarding necessary precautions and restrictions. Gradually, inclusion, effective communication, trust, accountability, common purpose and solidarity enabled leaders and employees to cope effectively.