Study: Firm leadership maintained teachers’ functional capacity even in times of crisis

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health media release 20 August 2024

The coronavirus pandemic put the education sector under unprecedented pressure to develop distance teaching. The joint study project between the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University of Vaasa examined leadership experience gained during the coronavirus pandemic in the education sector. The results provide solutions for current and future crises. For example, the war in Ukraine has required new solutions for providing education to refugees in Finland.

“Focusing on core tasks is helpful when coping with a crisis, and the main purpose of leadership during a crisis is to secure basic work. In a time of crisis, the support of a leader is essential when it comes to prioritising tasks. Putting tasks in order of importance is essential in a crisis when resources are limited,” says Senior Specialist Sari Käpykangas from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.  

From survival to renewal: Managing learning and innovation in a workplace crisis – The UUDIS project was also funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund.

Well-being at work supports functional capacity in a crisis

According to the study, teachers’ functional capacity in an unexpected crisis was quite high on average. The professionals were able to withstand pressure and make changes to their work practices on a fast schedule.  

Well-being at work promoted teachers’ functional capacity. If the amount of work was too high or the teachers were too busy or concerned about the students, their well-being at work decreased. The help and support received from colleagues and supervisors, in turn, improved well-being at work.

“Solid supervisory work was highlighted in the results as a resource factor that supports employees’ performance and reduces workload. Engagement-based leadership was also linked to innovation in the work community over the years under review,” says Research Manager Maarit Kauppi from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Action proposals for leadership in a crisis  

The study found that teachers’ experience of the innovativeness of the work community decreased during a crisis. For example, problems related to instructions were common. Unclear or incomplete instructions can lead to learning and innovative thinking being perceived as more of a burden as opposed to an inspiring part of the job.  

“Operating methods must be able to be renewed during a crisis. Based on our study, it is important to clarify any problems and ambiguities related to instructions to prevent them from being seen as an additional burden that hinders learning and innovation,” says Research Manager Virpi Kalakoski from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

“In times of crisis, it is essential to reform work practices, and leadership plays a key role in this.  Learning and brainstorming can be supported in many ways, even in difficult situations,” says Postdoctoral Researcher Laura Urrila from the University of Vaasa.

Crisis management that enables renewal consists of five areas: crisis management, supporting innovative operations, supporting basic tasks, competence development and investing in co-operation networks.

The action proposals made on the basis of the research results have been compiled into a poster as well as a fillable form, which can be used as a support tool for joint discussions at the workplace. The information can also be applied to other sectors that involve independent expert work and contact with clients. 

Study:

• The research results will be presented in a free webinar on 28 August 2024 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up!
• Final report of the study (in Finnish).
• More information about the project (in Finnish and English).
• The UUDIS study was carried out by a research consortium of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University of Vaasa.
• The study received funding from the Finnish Work Environment Fund, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University of Vaasa.
  
  

Materials to support leadership

• Download the poster, the checklist and the infographic (in Finnish).
  
  

Further information

• Virpi Kalakoski, Research Manager, virpi.kalakoski@ttl.fi, +358 (0)46 851 4008
• Sari Käpykangas, Senior Specialist, sari.kapykangas@ttl.fi, +358 (0)43 825 0394
• Maarit Kauppi, Research Manager, maarit.kauppi@ttl.fi, +358 (0)43 825 9460
• Laura Urrila, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Vaasa, laura.urrila@uwasa.fi