Abstract
This article advocates that research is lacking on the connection between leadership theory and social network theory. To date, little empirical research has been conducted on leadership and social networks. Thus, the proposition of this article goes beyond traditional leadership models to advocate for a fuller and more integrative focus that is multilevel, multi-component and interdisciplinary, while recognizing that leadership is a complex function of both the organisational leaders and the followers who perform tasks, all of which subsequently leads to decision making qualities. Indeed, the current leadership model focuses on leadership behaviour and the ability to gain followers mutuality, to achieve decision making quality involving the integration of leadership and social network theories. Given the apparent mutable palette of contemporary leadership theory, this emergent construct of the leadership paradigm can expand the poles of the leadership continuum and contribute to a richer and deeper understanding of the relationships and responsibilities of leaders and followers as they relate to decision making qualities. This new construct, which is termed prophetic leadership, explores the literature of the life experiences of the prophet in the ‘Abrahamic Faith’ religion. Drawing on a priori links between the personality trait and spiritual leadership that has recently garnered the interest of scholars, the present study asserts a normative leadership theory that links the personal quality of a leader, posture and principal (based on the Prophet’s leadership behaviour) to synergy and decision making quality. Altruism is proposed to enhance relationships between leadership behaviour and decision making quality. For future research, much work needs to be done specifically aiming to (a) achieve greater clarity of construct definitions, (b) address measurement issues, and (c) avoid construct redundancy.
Highlights
Prophetic leadership rests on the tenets of trait theory, spirituality, Islamic leadership and social network theory
Based on the above discussion, prophetic leadership development is the process by which personal quality, religious spirituality, decision making process and managerial skill converge and become unified in the prophetic leadership behaviour, which, in turn, is related to synergy
Altruism as a moderating factor works toward the optimisation of performance and the establishment of an organisational climate that nurtures the human spirit at work, as well as positive and strength-based organisational cultures
Summary
Prophetic leadership rests on the tenets of trait theory, spirituality, Islamic leadership and social network theory. This study, analyses verses in the Qur’an and the Seerah to construct a prophetic leadership model and explores the nexus between personal quality, posture and principal of the leader to decision making quality, which is mediated by leader-follower mutuality and altruism as moderating factors. It encompasses all aspects and elements in the life and leadership of all types of situationi.e., complex or non-complex) This holistic model emphasises the personal qualities, decision making processes and managerial skills of the prophets to construct a prophetic leadership model and to determine its relationship to leader-follower mutuality and decision making quality, which are compelling issues for management practitioners and researchers. Al-Qur’an and Sunnah discuss the leadership qualities of the Prophets that should be followed by khalifah on earth; such qualities include the leadership behaviours of the Prophet, including personal qualities, religious spirituality, principals and posture
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