Creative adaptability and negative emotions of employees during a crisis: the role of servant leadership

The main aim of this study is to examine the role of servant leadership (SL) in mitigating employees’ negative emotions (NE) while enhancing their creative adaptability (CA) during a crisis. A proactive personality model for employees was used as a mediator in these relationships. Additionally, the moderating effect of leader gender was explored in the link between the SL and NE of employees. Data were collected from 315 aviation employees during the pandemic crisis, with empirical findings revealing that SL had a negative impact on NE and a positive impact on CA among employees. The findings also confirmed the mediating role of proactive personality in these associations. Leader gender moderated the impact of SL on NE. The implications of these findings are discussed.