Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how early to mid-career professionals approached leadership and decision-making in uncertain environments. This study examines that shift by analyzing data from graduate students who are also working professionals in the Technical Management and Decision-Making course between 2018 and 2024. As part of this part-time graduate program for working professionals, students were assessed using William C. Taylor’s leadership styles quiz and two real-world decision-making scenarios to track how their leadership approaches and risk tolerance evolved. These tools measured leadership styles, such as Classic Entrepreneur, Problem Solver, Solution Finder, and Modern Missionary, alongside decision-making approaches categorized through specific scenarios focused on product development strategy and risk evaluation.

The study analyzed how students adapted their leadership and risk-taking behaviors during the pandemic years (2020-2022) and how these changes persisted into 2023 and 2024. Results revealed that the proportion of students adopting Modern Missionary (vision-driven) leadership styles increased from 40% in 2019 to 75% by 2022. This trend underscores how crisis conditions can push leaders toward greater adaptability, decisive-action and innovation. In contrast, Problem Solver leadership styles declined, reflecting a move away from reactive problem-solving approaches toward proactive strategic leadership.

The decision-making scenarios also revealed significant shifts in risk preferences. For Scenario 1, where students choose between a guaranteed return option or a higher-risk, higher-reward option, the percentage of students selecting the higher-risk choice increased from 45% in 2019 to 68% by 2022. This change highlights a growing comfort with calculated risk-taking amid pandemic-induced volatility. In Scenario 2, where decision-making involved launching a new product under uncertain market conditions, the number of students opting for bold, innovative decisions rose from 55% in 2019 to 72% in 2023. This increase indicates a trend toward strategic risk-taking in uncertain contexts.

These findings highlight the need for integrating crisis-based leadership training and risk-oriented decision-making exercises into graduate education programs. By emphasizing scenario-based simulations that reflect real-world uncertainty, institutions can better prepare students for the challenges they will encounter in their careers. The study advocates for incorporating dynamic, hands-on leadership development modules that focus on adaptive thinking and strategic foresight. Such training programs would enable students to engage in experiential learning, where they can practice making high-stakes decisions in controlled environments.

The study concludes with recommendation for education programs:
1) embedding leadership development activities that emphasize adaptability, innovation, and strategic risk management; and
2) including Scenario-based simulations, crisis leadership modules, and experiential learning activities as core elements.

By leveraging these insights, institutions can create a more resilient, future-ready leadership pipeline equipped to navigate global disruptions. This approach promotes long-term educational resilience and prepares students for the complexities of modern, rapidly evolving work environments.

Keywords:

Leadership, Risk Management, Online Graduate Education, COVID-19, Crisis Leadership, Decision-Making, Adaptive Leadership, Scenario-Based Learning.