ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS NEEDED : TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY IN AFTERMATH OF MANMADE DISASTER
Aluoch, Ernest (2015)
Aluoch, Ernest
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112718265
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112718265
Tiivistelmä
Disaster response phase is arguably the most intricate phase, in the entire disaster management processes. This is due to the fact that, leadership functions in this phase are discharged under extreme stress conditions, without ample time to think and consult before making decisions, constrained by inadequate information. While responding emergencies, leaders are judged from their actions and in actions. Leaders are expected to take charge of the situation, mitigate the effects of the disaster, while being decisive in the midst of anxiety, confusion and chaos. Leaders are expected to be vision oriented, guide the public to safety, while reducing the risks, and navigate through to the murky fields, to the path of recovery and normalcy.
This literature review, sought to identify and explore existing literature, on disaster leadership, with a view of identifying the essential leadership skills that are needed by leaders, to effectively respond in the aftermath of manmade disaster. The review intends to explore challenges that these leaders face, with a view of improving disaster response leadership.
A descriptive literature review method, was adopted for this review. It followed four main stages that included problem identification, literature search, data analysis using both descriptive analysis and thematic analysis methods to synthesise the review literature, and finally discussion and presentation of the essential leadership skills. The review identified 15 articles that qualified for the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Key essential leadership skills identified in this review included Insightfulness, decisiveness, communication, networking, accountability, and learning. Findings from this study provided not only an overview of leadership skills needed to face challenges, but also the challenges that these leaders face, with a view of equating the challenges with appropriate skill needed to respond.
In conclusion, it is important to note that the outcomes of this descriptive review, demonstrated the importance of leadership skill, for leaders whom are responding in the aftermath of manmade disasters. The success of the disaster response phase, are greatly tied to the leaders having the right skills and putting them into practice when needed. However, while dynamics of manmade disaster leadership continue to shift, the future focus will no longer be only on leadership skills that the leaders have, but on organizational structures and cultures, that affects to a greater extent, the bearing and quality of leadership performance in disaster response phase.
This literature review, sought to identify and explore existing literature, on disaster leadership, with a view of identifying the essential leadership skills that are needed by leaders, to effectively respond in the aftermath of manmade disaster. The review intends to explore challenges that these leaders face, with a view of improving disaster response leadership.
A descriptive literature review method, was adopted for this review. It followed four main stages that included problem identification, literature search, data analysis using both descriptive analysis and thematic analysis methods to synthesise the review literature, and finally discussion and presentation of the essential leadership skills. The review identified 15 articles that qualified for the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Key essential leadership skills identified in this review included Insightfulness, decisiveness, communication, networking, accountability, and learning. Findings from this study provided not only an overview of leadership skills needed to face challenges, but also the challenges that these leaders face, with a view of equating the challenges with appropriate skill needed to respond.
In conclusion, it is important to note that the outcomes of this descriptive review, demonstrated the importance of leadership skill, for leaders whom are responding in the aftermath of manmade disasters. The success of the disaster response phase, are greatly tied to the leaders having the right skills and putting them into practice when needed. However, while dynamics of manmade disaster leadership continue to shift, the future focus will no longer be only on leadership skills that the leaders have, but on organizational structures and cultures, that affects to a greater extent, the bearing and quality of leadership performance in disaster response phase.