When spirituality meets hierarchy: leader spirituality as a double-edged sword

Abstract

This study explores the effects of SL on the organization as perceived by both leaders and followers. As per the intention of the leaders, the employees found the company a good place to work. However, we also found that the exact same practices associated with SL such as connection, participation, and altruism created some anxiety and distrust in followers. We explain these findings through power differentials which lead to SL becoming a double-edged sword. Unless SL takes the impact of organizational hierarchy into account, theoretical understanding of SL remains incomplete and practical suggestions remain somewhat unrealistic.