“Nothing is created, nothing is destroyed, everything is transformed”: a study on the Covid Manager identity-seeking process.

This study investigates the Covid Manager’s rising role, assuming that can be covered by the Protection and Prevention Manager, who should also acquire four typical Project Manager skills, namely conceptual, human, political, and technical skill in order to perform effectively. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five qualified professionals, through blend of closed- and open-ended questions, often accompanied by follow-up why or how questions. Final results broadly confirmed the main research’s assumption, but they have also led to some additional findings, such as the relevance of transactional leadership and of trust towards the leader. The originality of this work is that of giving sense to a new-born career figure, which presents a “mediating entity” between, on one hand, professional and public stakeholders, and, on the other hand, organizational-specific interests and goals.