The perceived impact of spiritual consciousness on leadership performance
Nicholls, Tanja
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived impact of spiritual consciousness
on leadership performance. The assumptions of several leadership theories were discussed in
relation to spirituality and performance. The leadership qualities associated with performance
were highlighted and evaluated. The present study was conducted with ten high performing
leaders of private-sector organisations in Johannesburg, South Africa. Qualitative analysis of
quantitative and qualitative data was performed. Psychometric assessment results were
interpreted and evaluated, semi-structured interviews were conducted and 360 degree
questionnaires were administered with the intent to evaluate leadership behaviours impacting
on performance.
The first part of the interview consisted of a section allowing the participant to tell a story of
how their career developed over time. The second part of the interview contained questions
pertaining to leadership, the qualities, characteristics and behaviours of successful leaders and
those qualities and characteristics that have resulted in their own success followed by
questions pertaining to the participant’s perception of spirituality, their experience of
spirituality and the perceived link to performance, and lastly their view on spiritual leadership
and the impact thereof on performance.
The findings suggest that leaders who demonstrate spiritually conscious behavioural traits
will likely be regarded as high performing leaders. The relationship between spiritual
consciousness and leadership performance was described in detail and recommendations
were made for the the implementation of a spiritual consciousness model in the selection of
leaders. Confirmative empirical studies with a larger sample are needed to support the
findings and to further explore this interesting phenomenon.
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