Accidental or serendipity: the role of unplanned leadership in building community among volunteers

Purpose This narrative study explores leadership among spontaneous volunteers who came together at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it focuses on the need of an individual to undertake leadership responsibilities, and the acceptance of that individual into the role. Design/methodology/approach The study considers data collected from spontaneous volunteers who emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. It focuses on retelling their personal accounts and experiences. Adopting a case study approach and using narrative data collection, the research aims to explore and understand these individuals' experiences in depth. Findings The research concludes that authentic, ethical and modelling leadership can constructively influence spontaneous volunteers who find themselves in leadership roles even when they have risen to leadership accidently. An unanticipated, yet undoubtably important, insight, was the substantive impact on emotions and well-being of the volunteers who valued the purpose of belonging. It is suggested that accidental leaders realise accomplishment through the creation of a community culture, in which members are empowered, motivated and inspired to be collaborative, sharing best practice while striving towards a shared vision. As such, the development of an appropriate and community-based culture is a critical feature of the leadership role. Originality/value The article considers the development of leadership and the impact of an unexpected chain of events that may be useful to consider in the context of a number of events that occur unexpectedly.