Strategic Leadership and NGO Resilience in Zambia

This study investigated the role of strategic leadership in boosting the adaptive capacity of Zambian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Adaptive Leadership, Contingency, and Systems Theories, the research tested the Contextually Relevant and Actionable Strategic Leadership (CRASL) model based on data from a cross-sectional survey of 254 NGOs. The findings show that adaptive leadership responses and context-specific strategies play a more significant role in organizational resilience than individual leadership traits. The study emphasizes that leadership approaches rooted in contextual awareness, strategic flexibility, and organizational learning are essential for maintaining NGO performance in crisis-prone situations. These insights advance leadership and resilience theory and provide practical guidance for enhancing NGOs' capacity to deliver essential services amid uncertainty. The findings inform adaptive leadership theory and guide policy interventions to strengthen NGO resilience in crisis-prone contexts.