Successful First-Time Political Leaders and Their Response to COVID-19

Abstract

History is witness to many first-time transformational leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr who garnered mass movements for the fight to their country's freedom. A first-time leader shows high levels of commitment and a strong desire to make a positive difference to society. However, the abilities and strengths of a leader is truly tested during crises. The nature of a crisis is its suddenness, uncertainty, and catastrophic impact, and hence, an opportunity to showcase innate leadership characteristics. Some examples of successful first-time political leaders who received accolades across the globe for their handling of the recent COVID-19 crisis are from developed nations like New Zealand, Finland, Australia, and a developing nation, India. It is in this context that the leadership styles, behavioral patterns and decision-making abilities of these first time political leaders is analysed with special reference to their response to the COVID-19 crisis. This analysis may enable other leaders in replicating these behaviours to succeed as leaders in crisis situations.