{"id":860,"date":"2023-06-26T14:48:28","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T18:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/?post_type=chapter&p=860"},"modified":"2023-06-26T14:48:28","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T18:48:28","slug":"leadership-approaches-frame-crisis-sensemaking","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/chapter\/leadership-approaches-frame-crisis-sensemaking\/","title":{"raw":"Leadership Approaches Frame Crisis Sensemaking","rendered":"Leadership Approaches Frame Crisis Sensemaking"},"content":{"raw":"

Leadership Approaches Frame Crisis Sensemaking<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nCovid-19 became global in 2020, with world leaders varying in their responses to the pandemic, \u201cresulting in substantially different outcomes in terms of virus mitigation, population health, and economic stability\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 462). Crayne and Medeiros provide a case study of three styles of leaders\u2019 sensemaking in this public health crisis and elaborate on how those approaches were reflected in decision-making and crisis management (p. 462). The three cases are indicative of how leaders \u201cof comparable influence, facing a universal crisis, can differ in their approach to making sense of the problem at hand\u201d (p. 469).\r\n\r\nCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is studied as an example of a charismatic leadership approach; Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro provides an example of the ideological approach; and Germany\u2019s Chancellor, Angela Merkel\u2019s approach illustrates a pragmatic style (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021). The authors argue pragmatic leaders may be best equipped for managing crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the diverse approaches and outcomes exhibited in global responses highlight the need for better understanding of sensemaking in understanding and assessing potential leaders (p. 463).\r\n\r\nCrayne and Medeiros describe sensemaking as a process by which individuals interpret cues about their changing environments, utilizing the interpretation to explain what occurred and consider future actions (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 463). In a crisis, sensemaking is a means to collect information, provide an explanation, and develop appropriate actions, and is an \u201cessential element to successful navigation of crisis events\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 463). The process provides a framework for the public to understand the crisis. Such interpretation of a leader's communication underpins public motivation to comply with measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, or vaccination (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 464).\r\n\r\nThe CIP leadership model, as described by Crayne and Medeiros, is viewed through the lens of sensemaking and sense-giving, and is comprised of three pathways: charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic, each of which is correlated to world views, \u201cwhich impacts how leaders interpret and respond to events in their environment\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 464). Charismatic leaders, as exemplified by the authors\u2019 study of Trudeau, focus on positive emotions such as hope, and are framed within a vision for the future. \u201cTrudeau\u2019s largely charismatic approach has been consistent \u2026 and particularly evident in his approach to Canada\u2019s Covid-19 response \u2026\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 465). Despite the positive messaging, however, Trudeau has been criticized for his approach to early detection and testing capacity, particularly among Canada\u2019s most vulnerable populations, which has suggested unpreparedness (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 466).\r\n\r\nThe ideological leadership approach is one we have identified as the CIP approach most closely relating to the style of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. This review expands the ideological framework rather than the charismatic and pragmatic pathways. According to Crayne and Medeiros (2021), the ideological style of leadership is one that adheres to previously established values and through adherence to tradition, with pathetic appeals to the values of followers and \u201cimplies the glory of the past can be reclaimed\u201d (p. 467). This case study also notes the archetypal ideological leadership styles of former American presidents Ronald Regan and Donald Trump.\r\n\r\nThe past-focused vision of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has framed the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of \u201cus-versus-them\u201d is typical of an ideological leader. Some of his comments have been overwhelmingly negative, such as stating the virus was the result of media \u201chysteria\u201d that was tricking citizens and exaggerating the \u201clittle flu\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467). Bolsonaro has consistently called for a return to normal, focusing on jobs and the Brazilian economy, which underscores his past focus and idealized perspective of Brazil\u2019s past (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467), and emphasizes the president\u2019s prioritization of economic over public health actions as he contends \u201cany downturns in the stock market were because of a misrepresentation of Covid-19 in the media\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467). The president\u2019s denialism of Covid-19, advocacy for non-scientific \u2018cures\u2019 and the resulting delayed response to the pandemic has resulted in Brazil\u2019s \u201ccareen[ing] toward a full-blown public health emergency and economic crisis\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 468). Such behaviours are indicative of ideological sensemaking outcomes, which include \u201ctight adherence to values, demands of fealty, and dismissal of information and individuals that contravene the thematic narrative\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021).\r\n\r\nBased on the outcomes, including mass testing and lower Covid-19 related death rates, the study\u2019s authors conclude the most effective leadership style in managing the pandemic is one illustrated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose evidence-based response has been communicated with \u201crationality and appeals to scientific evidence\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 468). They argue the pragmatic leader is the most effective problem solver and most able to lead in high stakes circumstances (p. 468) due to consistency in approach, and according to Mumford (2016), an \u201coverwhelmingly problem-focused, rational approach to leadership\u201d (p. 468). The authors state a \u201cwillingness and ability to seek expert advice, manage situational complexity, and balance differential goals,\u201d are all distinguishing features of a pragmatic style of leadership (p. 469). Crayne and Medeiros caution, however, that there is no one size fits all to leadership or crisis management, with successful leadership also dependent on being able to effectively respond to challenges, and the fast-changing dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic potentially requiring different styles as needs also change over time.\r\n\r\nBecause our research qualitatively studies narrative messaging from Alberta\u2019s Premier Jason Kenney, as the province was in the midst of a Covid-19 fourth wave with public health strained beyond capacity, case numbers and deaths steadily increasing, and younger people contracting and dying from the disease, this study is particularly pertinent. Identifying the leadership ideology that has contributed to a public health crisis in Alberta is vital information and provides a basis for future research into Albertans\u2019 responses to the provincial response.","rendered":"

Leadership Approaches Frame Crisis Sensemaking<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Covid-19 became global in 2020, with world leaders varying in their responses to the pandemic, \u201cresulting in substantially different outcomes in terms of virus mitigation, population health, and economic stability\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 462). Crayne and Medeiros provide a case study of three styles of leaders\u2019 sensemaking in this public health crisis and elaborate on how those approaches were reflected in decision-making and crisis management (p. 462). The three cases are indicative of how leaders \u201cof comparable influence, facing a universal crisis, can differ in their approach to making sense of the problem at hand\u201d (p. 469).<\/p>\n

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is studied as an example of a charismatic leadership approach; Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro provides an example of the ideological approach; and Germany\u2019s Chancellor, Angela Merkel\u2019s approach illustrates a pragmatic style (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021). The authors argue pragmatic leaders may be best equipped for managing crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the diverse approaches and outcomes exhibited in global responses highlight the need for better understanding of sensemaking in understanding and assessing potential leaders (p. 463).<\/p>\n

Crayne and Medeiros describe sensemaking as a process by which individuals interpret cues about their changing environments, utilizing the interpretation to explain what occurred and consider future actions (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 463). In a crisis, sensemaking is a means to collect information, provide an explanation, and develop appropriate actions, and is an \u201cessential element to successful navigation of crisis events\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 463). The process provides a framework for the public to understand the crisis. Such interpretation of a leader’s communication underpins public motivation to comply with measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, or vaccination (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 464).<\/p>\n

The CIP leadership model, as described by Crayne and Medeiros, is viewed through the lens of sensemaking and sense-giving, and is comprised of three pathways: charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic, each of which is correlated to world views, \u201cwhich impacts how leaders interpret and respond to events in their environment\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 464). Charismatic leaders, as exemplified by the authors\u2019 study of Trudeau, focus on positive emotions such as hope, and are framed within a vision for the future. \u201cTrudeau\u2019s largely charismatic approach has been consistent \u2026 and particularly evident in his approach to Canada\u2019s Covid-19 response \u2026\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 465). Despite the positive messaging, however, Trudeau has been criticized for his approach to early detection and testing capacity, particularly among Canada\u2019s most vulnerable populations, which has suggested unpreparedness (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 466).<\/p>\n

The ideological leadership approach is one we have identified as the CIP approach most closely relating to the style of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. This review expands the ideological framework rather than the charismatic and pragmatic pathways. According to Crayne and Medeiros (2021), the ideological style of leadership is one that adheres to previously established values and through adherence to tradition, with pathetic appeals to the values of followers and \u201cimplies the glory of the past can be reclaimed\u201d (p. 467). This case study also notes the archetypal ideological leadership styles of former American presidents Ronald Regan and Donald Trump.<\/p>\n

The past-focused vision of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has framed the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of \u201cus-versus-them\u201d is typical of an ideological leader. Some of his comments have been overwhelmingly negative, such as stating the virus was the result of media \u201chysteria\u201d that was tricking citizens and exaggerating the \u201clittle flu\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467). Bolsonaro has consistently called for a return to normal, focusing on jobs and the Brazilian economy, which underscores his past focus and idealized perspective of Brazil\u2019s past (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467), and emphasizes the president\u2019s prioritization of economic over public health actions as he contends \u201cany downturns in the stock market were because of a misrepresentation of Covid-19 in the media\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 467). The president\u2019s denialism of Covid-19, advocacy for non-scientific \u2018cures\u2019 and the resulting delayed response to the pandemic has resulted in Brazil\u2019s \u201ccareen[ing] toward a full-blown public health emergency and economic crisis\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros 2021, p. 468). Such behaviours are indicative of ideological sensemaking outcomes, which include \u201ctight adherence to values, demands of fealty, and dismissal of information and individuals that contravene the thematic narrative\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021).<\/p>\n

Based on the outcomes, including mass testing and lower Covid-19 related death rates, the study\u2019s authors conclude the most effective leadership style in managing the pandemic is one illustrated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose evidence-based response has been communicated with \u201crationality and appeals to scientific evidence\u201d (Crayne & Medeiros, 2021, p. 468). They argue the pragmatic leader is the most effective problem solver and most able to lead in high stakes circumstances (p. 468) due to consistency in approach, and according to Mumford (2016), an \u201coverwhelmingly problem-focused, rational approach to leadership\u201d (p. 468). The authors state a \u201cwillingness and ability to seek expert advice, manage situational complexity, and balance differential goals,\u201d are all distinguishing features of a pragmatic style of leadership (p. 469). Crayne and Medeiros caution, however, that there is no one size fits all to leadership or crisis management, with successful leadership also dependent on being able to effectively respond to challenges, and the fast-changing dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic potentially requiring different styles as needs also change over time.<\/p>\n

Because our research qualitatively studies narrative messaging from Alberta\u2019s Premier Jason Kenney, as the province was in the midst of a Covid-19 fourth wave with public health strained beyond capacity, case numbers and deaths steadily increasing, and younger people contracting and dying from the disease, this study is particularly pertinent. Identifying the leadership ideology that has contributed to a public health crisis in Alberta is vital information and provides a basis for future research into Albertans\u2019 responses to the provincial response.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-860","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":852,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":861,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/860\/revisions\/861"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/852"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/860\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=860"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=860"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.macewan.ca\/researchincommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}