Socio-Emotional Leadership Style as Implementation of Situational Leadership Communication in the Face of Radical Change

Abstract

Leadership communication style plays an important role in managing an organization during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study investigated the leadership style applied in the event organizer industry to survive adversity during a pandemic situation. A qualitative approach is used in case studies of two event organizers in two big cities in Indonesia, namely PT Ikons Karya Kreasi, Jakarta, and CV Trigger EO, ​​Medan. In-depth interviews were conducted as a data collection technique for each level of the company's top management and employees. The results showed that the situational leadership style applied in the two organizations differed according to the context and culture of the organization. The most important competence of the two lies in a leadership style that displays socio-emotional skills, is ready to face stress and adapt to changes in socio-cultural life quickly, and dares to take decisions to maintain the continuity of the company organizing business events.   Received: 21 December 2021 / Accepted: 4 April 2022 / Published: 5 May 2022