Spiritual Leadership as a Model for Implementing the Baldrige Performance Criteria

Abstract

Issues regarding workplace spirituality have received increased attention in the organizational sciences. The implications of workplace spirituality for leadership theory, research, and practice make this a fast growing area of new research and inquiry by scholars. The purpose of this research was to test a dynamic relationship between spiritual leadership and spiritual well-being (i.e., a sense of calling and membership) and key organizational outcomes in a sample of Baldrige recipient organizations. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), results revealed a positive and significant relationship between spiritual leadership and organizational commitment, unit productivity, and life satisfaction. These relationships were explained or mediated by spiritual well-being. Implications for research and practice are discussed.