Evaluating spiritual leadership coherence at a professional services company

Abstract

Based on the theory of entrainment - a process of synchronizing rhythms over time - it is suggested that applying the coherence model of spiritual leadership across an organization can positively influence organizational outcomes. This study evaluates the conditions for such entrainment at a professional services company at the individual and group level. It uses an explanatory sequential research design as mixed methods approach, integrating quantitative data from eighty-six participants across fourteen teams with qualitative data from five team leaders. The quantitative data are analyzed using techniques stemming from a qualitative comparative analysis approach. The findings support that inner life and coherent interaction can be usefully deployed in a consistent way to understand the emergence of spiritual well-being through entrainment. In addition, it further supports that developing personal spiritual leadership directly influences the level of spirtual leadership of the group to which the individual belongs. Finally, better performing teams pay more attention to inner life practices, while taking care of and believing in their team members.