The adaptive leadership of social media influencers related to Covid-19

Abstract

Purpose: Social media brings the whole of the world right into our lives and devices. Sharing common experiences helps normalize our feelings of confusion and a loss of control especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This conceptual paper uses content analysis to explore two YouTube influencers, Randy Rainbow and Chris Mann, in how they produce content and provide adaptive leadership to the general public through hope and resilience. Results: Social media influencers have emerged as adaptive leaders and have provided humor and levity during the challenging times of COVID-19. Influencers are content creators that entertain, inspire, and inform their followers through social media platforms. This conceptual paper uses content analysis to explore two YouTube influencers, Randy Rainbow and Chris Mann, in how they produce content and provide adaptive leadership to the general public through hope and resilience. Implications: The social media influencers highlighted personify the adaptive leadership theory of observing from the balcony while interacting on the dance floor. Through the brilliance of their craft these influencers provide clever and entertaining messages of hope with alacrity.