Predicting Spiritual Leadership Based on Behavioral Variables among Managers of the Construction Engineering Organization of the Country

Abstract

The present study aimed to design and explain a model for predicting spiritual leadership based on behavioral variables among managers of the Construction Engineering Organization and to identify its major dimensions and influencing components. This study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The statistical population included experts, public management professors, and managers of the Construction Engineering Organization of the country, from whom 15 participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to the six-step thematic analysis approach proposed by Clarke and Braun. Initially, 358 primary codes were extracted, which were later refined into 98 final codes. Subsequently, organizing and overarching themes were identified and categorized. To ensure validity, triangulation and four-level credibility criteria were applied, while reliability was assessed using Holsti’s method, yielding a coefficient of 0.91, indicating high reliability of the coding process. The results of thematic analysis revealed 24 organizing themes and 6 overarching themes derived from the 98 final codes. The overarching themes included “Transcendent Spiritual Leadership,” “Wise Leadership,” “Leader’s Inner Integrity,” “Spiritual Foundation of Organization and Leadership,” “Spiritual and Educational Decision-Making Processes,” and “Social Activism and Behavioral Outcomes.” Findings indicated that components such as vision and meaning-making, altruism, teamwork and collaboration, spiritual inspiration, resilience, mindfulness skills, virtuous behavior, honesty, justice orientation, participative management, organizational communication, educational development, and social responsibility were among the most significant behavioral predictors of spiritual leadership among managers. The findings also demonstrated that spiritual leadership is a multidimensional construct influenced not only by leaders’ personal characteristics but also by organizational culture and structure. The findings suggest that spiritual leadership among managers of the Construction Engineering Organization is a multidimensional concept extending beyond conventional executive management and encompassing ethical, spiritual, behavioral, and social dimensions. Managers who demonstrate wisdom, justice orientation, meaning-making, ethical commitment, humane interaction, and value-based decision-making are more capable of creating an inspiring, ethical, and participative organizational environment. Therefore, integrating spiritual and behavioral indicators into the selection, training, and evaluation of managers can significantly enhance organizational performance and improve professional culture within the Construction Engineering Organization.