Characteristics of Social Sector Managers with Different Attitudes towards the Pandemic and Its Consequences

Abstract

This article explores the attitude of managers towards the COVID-19 pandemic, providing an overview of their opinions on its consequences and potential impact on the country’s future socio-economic development. The study is important since it provides insight into how management styles may be effective in times of uncertainty and crisis. The research involved 661 managers, including 383 from the social sphere. The study utilized the management potential assessment questionnaire (PMO, version 5.0, Sinyagin, 2018), as well as a specially developed questionnaire. The participants were differentiated on two grounds: their attitude towards the pandemic either as a mobilizing challenge or as a serious not always surmountable difficulty in actual management. The findings reflect that the managers’ attitudes about the prospects for the country’s development after the end of the pandemic, commonly referred to as “optimism-pessimism”, have profound effect on their management strategies and performance indicators. It is revealed that readiness for learning and social mobility are key characteristics associated with optimistic future expectations. Internality, personality strength, a clear strategic life idea, and managerial experience are most associated with overcoming current circumstances. The paper concludes that developing and enhancing these qualities is a significant task that managers have in today’s uncertain world.