Leader Transparency and Postpandemic Change Management

June 19, 2026

Leader Transparency and Postpandemic Change Management

Amy K. Miller | 2026

Abstract

The worldwide pandemic that overcame the globe in 2020 imposed rapid organizational change, rendering leaders to feel unprepared for the daily shifts in protocols and business conditions. Follower anxiety and uncertainty escalated as leaders made decisions without complete or stable information. Some businesses closed permanently; others re-opened as COVID-19 waned. This study focused on business leaders who were open before the crisis, remained open as essential businesses during the pandemic, and remain open currently. Both leaders and followers remained flexible, adapting to the changes to continue providing goods and services during the pandemic and beyond. This phenomenological study utilized the critical incident technique to discover how leader transparency affected follower anxiety and uncertainty through the sudden and rapid changes faced by the world during that time. The participants explained how they prepared their followers for change and what insights they learned during the pandemic that are helpful in their leadership currently. The outcomes of this study are instructive for leaders who aim to prepare their employees for change of many types, as well as providing insights for those seeking to manage their followers’ anxiety and uncertainty.

Keywords: confidence, individualized communication, sacrifice, balance

Request Information

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Online or On Campus*

Online

On Campus

On Campus Degree Type*

Online Degree Type*

Choose a Program*

This program is designed for registered nurses looking to advance their degree. A valid, unencumbered RN license is required to apply.

RN License Confirmation*

I currently hold a valid RN license

Don't have your RN license yet? Explore other Regent programs.

High School Graduation*

Are you an employee or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee

Spouse/Dependent

Are you a JCI USA member or benefitted employee, or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee/Member

Spouse/Dependent

Email Address*

Company*

Agency*

Employee's Company*

Employee's Agency*

Company Email Address*

Agency Email Address*

Your Email Address*

Employee's Company Email Address*

Employee's Agency Email Address*

Employee's First Name*

Employee/Member's First Name*

Employee's Last Name*

Employee/Member's Last Name*

Your Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name*

I live outside the US

Address*