The Demise of Spirituality? Testing the Pulse of Spirituality in Leadership Studies

Abstract

This paper critically explores the view that spirituality as an area of research in leadership is approaching its end. Despite continued interest, the closure of centres specifically focused on this area of activity, the growing number of critiques about the field, and the lack of substantial research evidence indicate real problems. The paper will explore these and possible ways forward. In the first part the paper draws on and develops critiques of treatments of spirituality, conceptually and empirically, in sport and health as well as business. These critiques first argue that the concept spirituality: is otiose, involving experience best described in terms of psychology; is vague and confused (involving different meanings, often not distinguished, and internally incoherent); even when claimed as generic, often implies religious derivation; is often associated uncritically with holism; often uncritically reverts to an unfounded dualism; and is often uncritically associated with related views of altruis...