From all accounts the study and application of leadership is moving in a positive direction.  The emphasis on leading at a personal level and creating a shared vision to reach a common goal rather than a bureaucratic, fear-based style, has gained global acceptance and application.

Numerous books, articles, podcasts, and blogs give testimony to why the change has occurred and provide excellent resources and ideas to further build the platform upon which value-based leadership can continue to grow.

An interesting, and somewhat new area of study in leadership, is the idea of spirituality in the workplace.  It makes sense that the study of leadership would lead into the spiritual direction.  After all, if it is determined that creating values, vision, and mission, are the underlying foundation to leadership, it follows that without a spiritual dimension and focus on spiritual growth, a leader will not have the tools he requires.

“Leadership and ethics share a synergistic relationship in spirituality because leadership ensures ethics and ethics is central to leadership.”  ~Yishuang Meng

In a scholarly article in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Yishuang Meng states: “A leader’s spirituality affects their vision and behavior and the subordinates’ commitment is greatly influenced by the leader’s vision and goals. The profitability, realization of values and vision and collective organizational responsibility to society and stakeholders accords a measure of a leaders’ effectiveness.” Meng goes on the say that “leadership in spirituality plays a pivotal role in terms of ethics and values, that is to say, in inculcating and reinforcing personal, team, and organizational values. Leadership and ethics share a synergistic relationship in spirituality because leadership ensures ethics and ethics is central to leadership. The nature of the leadership and the need to engage followers to accomplish mutual goals creates this type of synergism between the two parties.”

“Therefore, it is not a seeker of leadership roles but the one with a compelling vision and a desire to serve others first that makes the best servant leader.”  ~Yishuang Meng

What’s compelling, though, is that research done on the subject shows that “mediating the discovery of inner spirit in others, gaining and maintaining the trust of others, service above self- interest and effective listening, form the framework for servant leadership. Therefore, it is not a seeker of leadership roles but the one with a compelling vision and a desire to serve others first that makes the best servant leader.”

So, while the research is still in its early stages, it appears that the development of spirituality in the workplace, and particularly the spiritual development of a leader is essential to success in a values-based leadership world.  My next post will deal with how to develop spiritually, but in the meantime, consider where you stand spiritually as a leader and honestly ask yourself if you have done the necessary study into that part of your life.