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Societal shifts in the post-COVID-19 era have had profound implications for communities at large, posing significant challenges to leadership adaptability, mental health, and the sustainability of effective leadership in navigating an abrupt and unfamiliar new normal. Critical thinking has become essential in enabling national leaders to address urgent issues across diverse sectors in this evolving context. The present era calls for leadership that is informed, impartial, and grounded in objectivity. This theoretical essay examines how cognitive biases, emotional regulation, and the deterioration of leaders’ mental health may influence decisionmaking in high-stakes and routine scenarios. Furthermore, it explores research-based recommendations to support leaders in responding effectively to these complex demands.