Abstract:

This article presents the findings of a leadership study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic by Carrotspot Lab and SWPS University (2021) and interprets them within the broader framework of leadership theories and the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizational leadership support.
The study included 444 leaders and managers (58% female, 42% male) from diverse industries and managerial levels. It examined variables such as well-being, stress, self-efficacy, relationships, and communication, highlighting how the pandemic reshaped leaders’ attitudes toward their teams.

Results show a clear shift from transactional to empathetic and transformational leadership, accompanied by increased strain among mid-level managers. Leaders reported more frequent one-on-one conversations, greater emotional awareness, and rising stress levels. The article integrates these empirical insights with contemporary leadership theories—empathy, authenticity, and adaptability—and explores how AI tools could enhance leadership effectiveness by supporting emotional monitoring, sentiment analysis, and decision optimization.