Transforming Schools Through Spiritual Leadership:
A Field Experiment
Peggy N. Malone
Louis W. Fry
Tarleton State University – Central Texas
1901 South Clear Creek Rd.
Killeen, TX 76549
254-519-5476
fry@tarleton.edu
Presented at the 2003 national meeting of the Academy of Management, Seattle Washington
Currently under review for publication at The American Educational Research Journal.
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Transforming Schools Through Spiritual Leadership:
A Field Experiment
Abstract
Spiritual Leadership is a causal leadership model for organizational transformation (OT)
designed to create an intrinsically motivated, learning organization. Spiritual leadership theory
was developed within an intrinsic motivation model that incorporates vision, hope/faith, and
altruistic love, theories of workplace spirituality, and spiritual survival through calling and
membership. The purpose of spiritual leadership is to create vision and value congruence across
the strategic, empowered team, and individual levels and, ultimately, to foster higher levels of
organizational commitment and productivity. The purpose of this paper is to test and validate the
general casual model for spiritual leadership through an experimental design that initially
examined 229 employees from three elementary and one middle school. A one-year longitudinal
field experiment was then conducted with two of the original schools by means of an OT
visioning/ stakeholder analysis intervention performed in one school with another as a control.
Results revealed strong support for the model and the intervention, especially in terms of a
significant increase in organizational commitment. An action agenda for future research and
teacher and school employee training and development leading to increased teacher retention,
organizational commitment and productivity is then offered.
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The Public School Transformation Challenge
As the public school system is challenged to meet a constantly changing list of
expectations and accountability, communities of learning in which students are able to think,
apply and extend their knowledge are becoming rare. It is in these schools that trust in the
educational process is found from an internal and external perspective. Mier (2000) argues that
the dominant paradigm for public schools, with its excessive reliance on standardized
curriculums and externally imposed standardized testing to measure, sort and rank schools and
children, is powered by a cynical distrust of public education. This is demonstrated through
constrained choices. By not trusting the public school system as a whole, we allow those farthest
removed from the schoolhouse to dictate policy that fundamentally changes the daily interactions
that take place within schools. “Nor do we trust in the extraordinary human penchant for learning
itself” (Mier, 2000). The challenge in today’s educational process is to develop an educational
delivery system model that encompasses the fluid aspects of society which schools encounter,
while producing achievement results certified by the public sector and capitalizing on the human
element of trust.
Modern capitalist democracies increasingly breed isolation, anomie, and discontent
(Hoyle & Slater, 2001). In Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” it is observed that
democracy tends to extremes, producing destructive imbalances in both individuals and
organizations. One of democracy’s principal imbalances has to do with the relationship between
self and others. Over time, democracy undermines our capacity to develop profound connections
with others. Tocqueville was convinced, that as individualism continued to grow, “each man
may be shut up in the solitude of his own heart.” Preoccupied more and more with their own
concerns and successes, Americans would increasingly let the government manage their general
affairs, giving it increasing power. Thus, the trust of community and the abdication of policy to
those not in the schoolhouse evolves. The accountability movement, at least as now being
implemented, also seems to be focusing our attention on things that reinforce the trend toward
more and more individualistic behavior and attitudes (Hoyle & Slater, 2001). Increasing pressure
for higher test scores is found at the local, state and national level. Mandated continuous
improvement and required scores for campus accountability ratings drive the educational system
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without regard to the needs of students in the formulation of skills and resources critical to
perpetuating a connected, caring, and loving society of people.
Schools must develop a broader foundation for our students to meet the challenges of the
21
st
century. One of the most important tasks for educational leadership is to put altruistic love
at the center of the American educational vision. If we are to redress the imbalances in our
society caused by a growing individualism and mistrust, we must create schools that lay the
foundations for community, that give our children the experiences that will stimulate their desire
to be connected to other human beings in a common enterprise. (Hoyle & Slater, 2001).
Altruistic love, defined here as care, concern and appreciation for both self and others, is the
building block of this foundation. In our scramble to be globally competitive, in the ways that we
are implementing accountability, we are losing sight of this one ingredient that, if given its
proper place, is most likely to help us achieve our goals and reestablish trust in each other.
Caring leaders, it has been observed, “don’t inflict pain, they bear pain.” Schools without
love and happiness are misleading. The teachers are seen talking curriculum alignment and
student learning styles, the administrators are working the halls, the students appear to be on
task, the counselors are busy with students, the building is well maintained, and the athletic
teams are winning. But take a closer look. Are the administrators, counselors, teachers, and
parents sharing ideas about helping all children? Are expectations high for students and staff?
Are smiles frequent and compliments shared liberally? Are conversations positive? (Hoyle &
Slater, 2001). Americans want schools that teach students how to live, share, and serve others in
a world of anger, violence, poverty, and personal turmoil. A model of these standards is possible
through the establishment of trust among all stakeholders in the educational process.
Trust is essential and necessary (but not sufficient) for both altruistic love and effective
and innovative leadership. As America’s educational leaders are faced with the complex task of
educating an increasingly disconnected student population while demonstrating required
benchmarks of growth in achievement data, it is evident that a new direction must be forged.
Today’s successful leaders must combine heart, mind, body, and spirit to achieve new depths of
learning which actively involves all members of the community.
Recently, there has been increasing criticism about worrisome signs of deterioration and
decay throughout the U.S. public education system (Hoyle & Slater, 2001). Especially alarming
is the growing difficulty schools face in filling their annual quota of new recruits and the mass
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exodus of early and mid-career teachers. The solutions to these problems go beyond issues of
extrinsic motivation such as pay and benefits. Rather it the primary challenge for public school
leaders to establish throughout the ranks the role of intrinsically motivated professional educator
esteemed for educating our children that has traditionally inspired teachers to serve. By
definition, professionals believe their chosen profession is valuable, even essential to society,
and they are proud to be a member of it. A major challenge for public education then is to create
a learning organizational paradigm within which the teacher’s professional commitment is also
translated into organizational commitment and productivity.
In this paper we examine school principals as strategic leaders within the context of a
central Texas school district. The purpose of this research is to determine if there is a relationship
between the qualities of spiritual leadership and teacher organizational commitment and
productivity. Spiritual Leadership is a causal leadership model for organizational transformation
(OT) designed to create an intrinsically motivated, learning organization. Spiritual leadership
theory incorporates intrinsic motivation through vision, hope/faith, and altruistic love, theories of
workplace spirituality, and spiritual survival through calling and membership. The purpose of
spiritual leadership is to create vision and value congruence across the strategic, empowered
team, and individual levels and, ultimately, to foster higher levels of organizational commitment
and productivity. In this paper we test spiritual leadership theory through an experimental design
that initially examined 229 employees from three elementary and one middle school to validate
the general casual model for spiritual leadership. A one-year longitudinal field experiment was
then conducted with two of the original schools by means of an OT visioning/ stakeholder
analysis intervention performed in one school with another as a control. Results revealed strong
support for the model and the intervention, especially in terms of a significant increase in
organizational commitment. Since past research has clearly shown that increased organizational
commitment increases motivation and reduces turnover (Mowday, Porter, and Steers, 1982;
Nyhan, 2000), an action agenda for future research and teacher and school employee training and
development leading to increased teacher retention, organizational commitment and productivity
is offered.
Organizational Transformation Through Spiritual Leadership
Organization transformation (OT), a recent extension of organizational development, seeks to
create massive changes in an organization’s orientation to its environment, vision, goals and
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strategies, structures, processes, and organizational culture. Its purpose is to affect large-scale,
paradigm shifting change. “An organizational transformation usually results in new paradigms or
models for organizing and performing work. The overall goal of OT is to simultaneously
improve organizational effectiveness and individual well being (French, Bell, and Zawacki,
2000, p. vii).
Leaders attempting to initiate and implement organizational transformations face daunting
challenges, especially in gaining wide-spread acceptance of a new and challenging vision and the
need for often drastic and abrupt change of the organization’s culture (Cummins and Worley,
2001; Harvey and Brown, 2001). Although leadership has been a topic of interest for thousands
of years, scientific research in this area was only begun in the twentieth century. While space
limitations on this paper preclude a detailed review of the leadership literature, most definitions
of leadership share the common view that it involves influence among people who desire
significant changes, and that these changes reflect purposes shared by leaders and followers
(Daft, 2001).
There are almost as many definitions of leadership and approaches to leadership as there are
leaders, for our purpose we will use the definition and generic process of leadership developed
by Kouzes and Pozner (1987, 1993, 1999) - leadership is the art of mobilizing others to want to
struggle for shared aspirations. From their perspective leadership entails motivating followers by
creating a vision of a long-term challenging, desirable, compelling and different future. This
vision when combined with a sense of mission of who we are and what we do, establishes the
organization’s culture with its fundamental ethical system and core values. The ethical system
then establishes a moral imperative for right and wrong behavior which, when combined with
organizational goals and strategies, acts as a substitute (Kerr and Jermier, 1977) for traditional
bureaucratic structure (centralization, standardization and formalization) and, when coupled with
a powerful vision, provides the roadmap for the cultural change to the learning organizational
paradigm needed for organizational effectiveness in today’s chaotic organizational environments.
Thus, it is the act of creating a context and culture that influences followers to ardently desire,
mobilize, and struggle for a shared vision that defines the essence of motivating through
leadership.
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The Learning Organization
A learning organization is one in which its employees are empowered to achieve a clearly
articulated organizational vision. Quality products and services that exceed expectations
characterize learning organizations. This new networked or learning organizational paradigm is
radically different from what has gone before: it is customer/client-obsessed, team-based, flat (in
structure), flexible (in capabilities), diverse (in personnel make-up) and networked (working with
many other organizations in a symbiotic relationship) in alliances with suppliers,
customers/clients and even competitors, and innovative, and global.
According to Peter Senge (1990, p. 3), its most famous proponent, learning organizations:
“…are where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly
desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective
aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to learn together.
The five disciplines of the learning organization include: 1) personal leadership or
mastery, 2) “mental models” or socially constructed images that forms the organization reality
that influence how we understand the world and how we take action, 3) building a shared vision
that fosters genuine commitment rather than compliance so that people seek to excel and learn,
not because they are told to but because they want to, 4) team learning based on a collaborative
decision process that explores hidden assumptions through dialogue and seeks optimum
decisions through consensus. The fifth discipline, systems thinking, integrates the disciplines and
fuses them into a coherent body of theory and practice that enhances and creates synergy among
them.
The employees of learning organizations are characterized by being open and
generous, capable of thinking in-group teams, risk-takers with an innate ability to
motivate others. Furthermore, they must be able to abandon old alliances and establish
new ones, view honest mistakes as necessary to learning and ‘celebrate the noble effort’,
and exhibit a ‘do what it takes’ attitude versus a ‘not my job’ attitude. Its people are
empowered with committed leaders at the strategic, empowered team, and personal levels
that act as coaches in a “learning organization” constantly striving to listen, experiment,
improve, innovate, and create new leaders. For the learning organization, developing,
leading, motivating, organizing, and retaining people to be committed to organization’s
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vision, goals, and culture is the major challenge in the new - especially organizations
whose primary purpose is to educate our children.
Spiritual Leadership
The purpose of this paper is to sharpen our focus on these issues through the lens of Fry’s
(2003; 2004) recent work on spiritual leadership theory to gain further insight into the nature,
process, and development of school transformation. Spiritual Leadership is a causal leadership
model for organizational transformation designed to create an intrinsically motivated, learning
organization. His theory of spiritual leadership is developed within an intrinsic motivation
model that incorporates vision, hope/faith, and altruistic love, theories of workplace spirituality,
and spiritual survival. The purpose of spiritual leadership is to tap into the fundamental needs of
both leader and follower for spiritual survival through calling and membership, to create vision
and value congruence across the individual, empowered team, and organization levels and,
ultimately, to foster higher levels of organizational commitment and productivity. Operationally,
spiritual leadership comprises the values, attitudes, and behaviors that are necessary to
intrinsically motivate one’s self and others so they have a sense of spiritual survival through
calling and membership (See Table 1 and Figures 2 & 3). This entails (Fry, 2003):
1. Creating a vision wherein leaders and followers experience a sense of calling in
that their life has meaning and makes a difference;
2. Establishing a social/organizational culture based on the values of altruistic love
whereby leaders and followers have a sense of membership, feel understood and
appreciated, and have genuine care, concern, and appreciation for BOTH self and
others.
Fry (2004) extended spiritual leadership theory by exploring the concept of positive
human health and well being through recent developments in workplace spirituality, character
ethics, positive psychology and spiritual leadership. He then argued that these areas provide a
consensus on the values, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for positive human health and well
being (See Table 2). He defined ethical well being as authentically living one’s values, attitudes,
and behavior from the inside out in creating a principled-center congruent with the universal,
consensus values inherent in spiritual leadership theory (Cashman, 1998; Covey, 1991; Fry,
2003). Ethical well-being is then seen as necessary but not sufficient for spiritual well-being
which, in addition to ethical well-being, incorporates transcendence of self in pursuit of a vision/
purpose/mission in service to key stakeholders to satisfy one’s need for spiritual survival through
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calling and membership. He hypothesized that individuals practicing spiritual leadership at the
personal level will score high on both life satisfaction in terms of joy, peace and serenity and the
Ryff and Singer (2001) dimensions of well being. In other words, they will:
1. Experience greater psychological well being.
2. Have fewer problems related to physical health in terms of allostatic load
(cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, declines in physical functioning, and
mortality).
More specifically, they would have a high regard for one’s self and one’s past life, good-quality
relationship with others, a sense that life is purposeful and meaningful, the capacity to effectively
manage one’s surrounding world, the ability to follow inner convictions, and a sense of
continuing growth and self-realization.
To summarize the hypothesized relationships among the variables of the causal
model of spiritual leadership (See Figures 1, 2 and Table 2), “doing what it takes” through faith
in a clear, compelling vision produces a sense of calling - that part of spiritual survival that gives
one a sense of making a difference and therefore that one’s life has meaning. Vision, hope/faith
adds belief, conviction, trust, and action for performance of the work to achieve the vision.
Thus, spiritual leadership proposes that hope/faith in the organization’s vision keeps followers
looking forward to the future and provides the desire and positive expectation that fuels effort
through intrinsic motivation.
Altruistic love is also given from the organization and is received in turn from followers
in pursuit of a common vision that drives out and removes fears associated with worry, anger,
jealousy, selfishness, failure and guilt and gives one a sense of membership – that part of
spiritual survival that gives one an awareness of being understood and appreciated.
Thus, this intrinsic motivation cycle based on vision (performance), altruistic love (reward) and
hope/faith (effort) results in an increase in ones sense of spiritual survival (e.g. calling and
membership) and ultimately positive organizational outcomes such as increased:
1. Organizational commitment – People with a sense of calling and membership will
become attached, loyal to, and want to stay in organizations that have cultures based on
the values of altruistic love, and
2. Productivity and continuous improvement (Fairholm 1998) – People who have
hope/faith in the organization’s vision and who experience calling and membership
will “Do what it takes” in pursuit of the vision to continuously improve and be more
Productive.
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The initial baseline survey data from two schools will be used as a basis for conducting a
field experiment using an action-planning organizational transformation/ professional
development (OT) change program (Harvey and Brown, 2001). The starting point for setting a
Spiritual Leadership Transformation (SLT) OT change program in motion is the establishment of
a baseline on our SLT variables to set the stage for further change efforts. After further
diagnosing problem areas associated with current employee well being, organizational
commitment and productivity, target issues for improvement are identified through a
vision/stakeholder effectiveness analysis and OD intervention strategies adopted to apply
techniques and technologies for change.
Study 1: Test of Causal Model
Participants and Procedures.
Survey data were collected from a sample of 229 employees in May 2001from three
elementary and one middle school of a central Texas independent school district (See Table 2
for sample demographics). All of the schools (except school 2) were selected for this study by
the district because it was believed they would score high on our spiritual leadership measures.
This represents about a 65 percent response rate from the total population of these schools.
Eighty-five percent of the respondents were teachers or paraprofessional (63% and 22%
respectively). Seventy percent had more than five years experience in their profession. Ninety
percent were female. Sixty-two percent were Caucasian, nineteen percent African American, and
ten percent Hispanic. The researchers administered anonymous questionnaires during regular
school hours. Nonrespondents had schedule conflicts or were not present on campus during
questionnaire administration. Investigation into the nature of nonrespondents gave no reason to
conclude that they differed from respondents. Also, ten percent of the school population were
randomly selected and personally interviewed to complement and validate the questionnaire
results.
Measures.
The three dimensions of spiritual leadership, two dimensions of spiritual survival, and
organizational commitment and productivity were measured using survey questions developed
especially for SLT research. The items were discussed with practitioners concerning their face
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validity, and have been pretested and validated in other studies and samples (Fry, Vitucci &
Cedillo, 2004a, 2004b). The items measuring affective organizational commitment and
productivity were also developed and validated in earlier research (Nyhan, 2000). In addition, the
survey contained space for open-end comments to the question “ Please identify one or more
issues you feel need more attention.” These were content analyzed to validate the survey findings
to identify issues to be addressed during the visioning process intervention and. The
questionnaire utilized a 1-5 (from strongly disagree to strongly agree) response set. Scale scores
were computed by computing the average of the scale items. A list of items for each scale is
presented in Table 2. Overall means, standard deviations, correlations and the Cronbach’s alpha
for each scale are given in Table 3.
Study 1 Results
Ideally, organizations would want all their employees to agree or strongly agree (have
scale scores above 4) or report high levels for all SLT variables. Since three of the four schools
were chosen because they were felt to be among the best in the district, it was expected that they
would exhibit relatively high levels of spiritual leadership. Using quintiles to discern level of
agreement, results revealed high levels (over 80% agree) of meaning/calling (90.3% agree;
mean=4.48), moderately high (between 60% and 80%) levels of hope/faith (75.3% agree;
mean=4.26) and organizational productivity (66.1% agree; mean=4.03), moderate (between 40%
and 60%) levels of vision (57.3% agree; mean=3.98), altruistic love (56.4% agree; mean=3.84),
membership (57.7% agree; mean=3.83), and moderately low (between 20% and 40%) levels of
organizational commitment (25.6% agree; mean=3.45). A one-way ANOVA revealed only two
significant differences for the seven SLT variables across the four schools. School two
(elementary) reported significantly lower on vision (35.5% mean = 3.59) and Altruistic love
(25.8%; mean = 3.32) than the other schools.
A content analysis of the open-ended comments reinforced the moderate and moderately
low findings for vision and altruistic love/membership. The most often mentioned issues across
schools concerned the need for 1) better staff morale, 2) Equal treatment of all employees, 3)
better communication, 4) More staff praise, and 5) better knowledge of the campus
vision/mission.
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Test of SLT Causal Model. We used the AMOS 4.0 SEM SPSS program with maximum
likelihood estimation to test the Spiritual Leadership Theory causal model. One of the most
rigorous methodological approaches in testing the validity of factor structures is the use of
confirmatory (i.e. theory driven) factor analysis (CFA) within the framework of structural
equation modeling (Byrne, 2001). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is particularly valuable
in inferential data analysis and hypothesis testing. It differs from common and components
(exploratory) factor analysis in that SEM takes a confirmatory approach to multivariate data
analysis; that is, the pattern of interrelationships among the spiritual leadership constructs is
specified a priori and grounded in theory.
SEM is more versatile than most other multivariate techniques because it allows for
simultaneous, multiple dependent relationships between dependent and independent variables.
That is, initially dependent variables can be used as independent variables in subsequent
analyses. For example, in the SLT model calling is a dependent variable for vision but is an
independent variable in its defined relationship with organizational commitment and
productivity. SEM uses two types of variables: latent and manifest. Latent variables are vision,
Altruistic love, hope/faith, calling, membership, organizational commitment and productivity.
The manifest variables are measured by the survey questions associated with each latent variable
(see Table2). The structural model depicts the linkages between the manifest and latent
constructs. In AMOS 4.0 these relationships are depicted graphically as path diagrams and then
converted into structural equations.
Figure 3 Shows the hypothesized SLT school causal model for this study. This model is
nonrecursive in that intrinsic motivation theory has feedback loops (between vision and altruistic
love and from vision to altruistic love to hope/faith and back to vision). For this model to be
identified (Bollen, 1989a) we must specify one of the loop parameters. We chose to specify the
vision altruistic love path common to both loops. A multiple regression analysis was run
on Altruistic love with Hope/Faith and Vision as predictors. The beta for the Vision to Altruistic
love path was .72. This value was then used to gain model identification. Figure 4 gives the
simplified model without the item results using the initial school data. Overall the model shows a
very good fit with the overall chi-square for the hypothesized model using the maximum
likelihood estimation method is 1112.732 (486 d.f; p < .001). The goodness of fit was measured
using three commonly used fit indices: The Bentler-Bonet (1980) normed fit index (NFI), the
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Bollen (1989b) incremental fit index (IFI), and the comparative fit index (CFI; Bentler, 1990) to
compare the chi-square values of the null and hypothesized models using the degrees of freedom
from both to take into account the impact of sample size. A value greater than .90 is considered
acceptable. All fit indices indicate good to superior fit for this model (Hu & Bentler, 1995;
Mulaik et al., 1989). For this model, the NFI is .961; the IFI is .978; and the CFI is .978.
Parameter estimates reflect the extent of the relationship between manifest and latent
variables. For ease of interpretation the error and scale item parameter estimates are omitted
relative to the standardized path coefficients for the model’s latent variables in Figure 6.
Standardized path coefficients are by the arrows and the variance explained by the model for
each latent variable is given at the above right for each latent variable. As shown in Figure 4, all
standardized path coefficients in the hypothesized causal model are, as SLT predicted,
positive and significant with the explained variances of .80 for organizational commitment
and .29 for productivity.
Common Method Variance Issues
Common method variance (CMV) may be an issue for studies where data for the
independent and dependent variable are obtained from a single source. In order to determine if
the statistical and practical significance of any predictor variables have been influenced by CMV,
Lindell and Whitney (2001) advocate the introduction of a marker variable analysis that allows
for adjustment of observed variable correlations for CMV contamination by a single unmeasured
factor that has an equal effect on all variables. However, marker variable analysis is most
appropriate for research on simple independent- dependent variable relationships. SEM is more
flexible than marker variable analysis because it is capable of testing unrestricted method
variance (UMV) causal mode since SEM allows the error terms to be intercorrelated without
being fixed or constrained as in CMV. The AMOS 4.0 program has a modification indices (MI)
option that allows one to examine all potential error term correlations and determine the changes
in parameter and chi-square values. MI analysis for our data revealed the parameter changes due
to latent variable error correlation to be less than .10. Also, Crampton and Wagner (1994)
demonstrate that CMV effects seem to have been over stated, especially for studies such as this
one that use self assessment of group performance with role and organizational characteristics,
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job scope, and leader traits. We therefore conclude that there is little impact on our data due to
CMV.
Study 2: Field Experiment
Participants and Procedures
Schools one and two were selected for our field experiment. Both were elementary pre-
kindergarten to third grade schools, were adjacent to on another geographically and have similar
student and parent demographics. School one is larger with approximately 85 to 60 full time
employees relative to school one. The initial and final survey demographics for both schools are
given in Figure 5. No differences in responses to the SLT variables were found within schools
showing that each school spoke as one regard their leaders, spiritual survival, and organizational
outcomes.
Field Experiment Intervention
For our sample, further diagnosing problem areas associated with current organizational
commitment is needed. Then target issues for improvement should be identified and
Organizational Design (OD) strategies adopted to apply techniques and technologies for change.
The starting point for setting a change program in motion is the definition of a total change
strategy. “An OD strategy may be defined as the plan for relating and integrating the different
organizational improvement activities engaged in over a period of time to accomplish objectives
(Harvey and Brown, 2001, p.216).”The overall purpose or objective of the OD change effort is to
develop stronger value congruence across the strategic, empowered team, and individual levels
through stronger linkages among the theory variables (i.e. increase the percentage of respondents
who agree or strongly agree that the Qualities of Spiritual Leadership are significant factors
influencing organizational commitment and productivity in the campus environment
After the initial baseline “snapshot” of the spiritual condition of the organization is
completed, a vision/stakeholder effectiveness analysis intervention is conducted. School One’s
site-based strategic team completed the initial draft. This analysis then becomes the input to a
linking pin process that was repeated at the grade level where it and the initial survey results
become input for top down/bottom up dialogue. Figure 5 gives school 1’s consensus
vision/purpose/mission/statements, the values it views as central to meeting or exceeding key
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stakeholder expectations, a high power/high importance stakeholder map, and stakeholder
expectations with key issues. Inputs from all areas of the school operation are evident
in the school mission statement. During the creation of the school mission statement the
custodial staff requested that the word “clean” be inserted to accurately depict their contribution
to the environment.
The main issue that was targeted by school one for immediate attention was that of better
leadership/management of its parent stakeholder group. Out of this came several initiatives
including a parent survey, a parent information book for each grade with both student and parent
expectations, and mandatory parent/student orientations by grade at the beginning of the school
year.
Study 2 Results
The final survey was administered in May 2002 to both School One and our control
(School Two). Summaries of our results are given in Figure 6. Figure 6 gives the scale average
for all variables (initial and final in the lower right hand corner) with bar graphs depicting the
dispersion for the seven spiritual leadership variables (SLT) For School One and School Two.
The bar graphs depict the dispersion or range of responses. Scale responses between 1.00 and
2.99 represent Disagree. Neither is the percentage of respondents with an average scale value
between 3-3.99. The Agree percentage represents scale values between 4.00 and 5.00. Ideally,
organizations would want all their employees have high average scale scores (above 4) and
report high (above 80%) percentage levels of agree for all SLT variables. Moderate or low levels
on the theory variables indicate areas for possible intervention.
The most obvious result is that conditions deteriorated dramatically at school Two,
thereby limiting its usefulness as a control for our field experiment. Initially vision and altruistic
love were significantly lower at school 2. The final survey revealed that all seven SLT variables
were significantly lower for school 2. For school two averages on all but altruistic love dropped
significantly from the initial to the final survey. However, Even though not significant, even for
altruistic love, the percentage of respondents agreeing that the organization showed care, concern
and appreciation for them dropped from 24% to 11% while the percent of respondents
disagreeing rose from 29 to 62 percent. Open-ended survey comments and personal
conversations with people familiar with the situation revealed that both leadership and personal
16
issues between the administration and teachers had led to a very intimidating, conflict ridden
environment during the time between the two surveys.
In contrast, School One saw no significant decreases in any of the SLT variables with all
averages on SLT variables above four and with agree responses ranging 67% for productivity to
90% for calling. Altruistic love significantly increased from a 3.9 to 4.5 average level. Most
importantly the average for organizational commitment rose significantly rose from 3.5 to 4.3.
Also the agree percentage dramatically increased from 25% to 78% with the “bubble” and
disagree groups dropping 42% and 11% respectively. This finding is especially encouraging
since past research has clearly shown that increased organizational commitment strengthens
motivation and reduces turnover (Mowday, Porter, and Steers, 1982) – a major an ongoing
problem in our public schools
DISCUSSION
A commitment to excellence and the sustaining impact of the initial work completed in
the spiritual leadership theory at School 1 is evidenced in the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004
Academic Excellence Indicator System report required by Texas Education Code as the
accountability system for public education in Texas. The relationships that have been
established and the ongoing dialogue with all campus stakeholders built a foundation of
appreciative inquiry (Bushe, 1999). The principal at school one stated, “Everything we did as a
campus was a result of the campus mission and values which was a direct result of our work with
the spiritual leadership theory.” (Judy Tyson, personal communication, June 16, 2004).
In May, 2003 the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAKS) for School one revealed
that 100 % of the Hispanic population at the school passed both the reading and math portion of
the test. The Hispanic population accounted for 15.4% of the student population. The White
population, which constituted 30.6% of the population, has a pass rate of 100% also in the areas
of reading and math. African American students comprised 48.2% of the school population and
posted a pass rate of 95.3 % on the math test. The pass rate for African American students in the
area of reading was 90.2% of the students. These areas indicate a very high level of content
mastery. An area of needed growth for 2002-2003 is Economically Disadvantaged students with
66.2% of the students passing the reading and math tests.
In May, 2004 the standards for passing the TAKS test increased, and the results for
School 1 continued to be strong. No major changes in ethnic distribution of the student
17
population occurred from testing cycles 2003 to 2004. In math the pass rate for Hispanic student
group was 97%, White student group 100%, and African American student group 88%. Reading
scores were 90% or above in all three ethnic groups. A very large increase was achieved in
Economically Disadvantaged students with 88% passing the math test and 99% passing the
reading test.
This accountability data continues to suggest that the time and energy invested in the
spiritual leadership theory, articulation of the campus mission, values and stakeholder
expectations, coupled with the dynamic campus action plan to address parent stakeholder issues
is the direction that campuses should move toward to meet the continuous societal challenges
placed on our schools and to regain the trust of the public. The role of the campus principal is
pivotal in this process for implementation of the spiritual leadership paradigm. It is through
spiritual leadership that we will be able to respond to all persons involved in the school
community regardless of their role.
It is the principal that is the pivotal point for communication and decision-making in the
school campus. The establishment of trust is facilitated from the principal. Trust can be viewed
from both an internal and external organizational perspective (Nyhan, 2000). Commitment to an
organization is built through trust. In today’s society our school districts operate from a top down
model of communication and decision-making often negating the pivotal role of the campus
principal. This must end in order to meet the challenges of the 21
st
century. The development of
a trusted educational delivery system that produces the required achievement results is critical to
the perpetuation of a democratic society. Spiritual leadership is a mechanism for establishing a
trusted educational system. Through Spiritual Leadership the components of vision, hope/faith,
and altruistic love impact organizational commitment and productivity internally and externally
throughout all levels of the organization. This process is regenerative while building a
foundation for continuous improvement individually and collectively.
CONCLUSION
This study should be expanded to capitalize on the promise of a sustained approach to
improvement in today’s arena of constrained fiscal resources and increased demand for
excellence in education. Of particular interest is in our findings is the moderately high level of
“neither” for organizational commitment. “Neither” responses can be view as being on the fence
or “bubble” in that they have the potential of being moved to the “Agree” category if
18
organizational development interventions are initiated and successful. It appears that our
vision/stakeholder effectiveness analysis intervention holds great promise in this regard. Since
past research has clearly shown that increased organizational commitment strengthens
motivation and reduces turnover (Mowday, Porter, and Steers, 1982), spiritual leadership theory
and its initial vision/stakeholder effectiveness process as an appreciative inquiry intervention
holds promise as an action agenda for future school research and organizational development and
transformation. As a next step, a study of thirty or more schools selected on the basis of high and
low test scores to test for differences in spiritual leadership seems called for.
The visioning process used here leading to increased teacher motivation, performance,
organizational commitment and ultimately teacher retention is based on appreciative inquiry
which, like Spiritual Leadership, focuses on identifying and addressing key stakeholder issues,
discovering what works well, why it works well, and how success can be extended throughout
the organization. Thus, it is both the vision and the process for developing this vision that creates
the energy to drive change throughout the organization (Bushe, 1999; Johnson and Leavitt,
2001). Appreciative Inquiry is premised on three basic assumptions. The first critical assumption
is that organizations are responsive to positive thought and positive knowledge. A second key
assumption is that it is both the image of the future, and the process for creating that image that
creates the energy to drive change throughout the organization. By engaging employees in a
dialogue about what works well based on their own experiences, employees notice that there is
much that works reasonably well already allowing change to be possible. Lastly, Appreciative
Inquiry is based on a belief in the power of affirmations; if people can envision what they want,
there is a better chance of it happening. Traditional approaches to problem solving are, by
definition, a way of seeing the world as a glass half empty. The Appreciative Inquiry is an
alternative process to bring about organizational change by looking at the glass as half full. This
approach is suited to organizations that seek to be collaborative, inclusive, and genuinely caring
for both the people within the organization and those they serve. By using an Appreciative
Inquiry approach, organizations can discover, understand, and learn from success, while creating
new images for the future (Leavitt and Johnson, 2001).
Research on several fronts must be conducted to establish the validity of spiritual
leadership theory as a foundation for an action agenda for organizational transformation. First,
the conceptual distinction between spiritual leadership theory variables and other leadership
19
theories and constructs must be refined. To date, these to have been confounded under such
constructs as encouraging the heart, stewardship, charisma, emotional intelligence,
transformational, authentic, and servant leadership. Second, research is just beginning on the
qualities spiritual leadership detailed in Table 1, especially as it relates to the values of spiritual
leadership. Value based leaders articulate a vision of a better future to energize extraordinary
follower motivation, commitment and performance by appealing to subordinates’ values,
enhancing their self efficacy, and making their self-worth contingent on their contribution to the
leaders’ mission and the collective vision (House and Shamir, 1993). Empirical evidence from
over 50 studies demonstrates that value based leader behavior has powerful effects on follower
motivation and work unit performance, with effect sizes generally above .50 (Bass and Aviolo,
1994; House & Shamir, 1993). Our results support this general finding, signaling the need for
more research in this area. Third, although our control group did not remain in control, the fact
that our spiritual leadership measure picked up the precipitous decline in all study variables for
school 2 - as confirmed in follow-up interviews - lends support for the discriminate validity of
our measures.
Fourth, Fry’s (2004) extension of spiritual leadership theory for psychological well-being
and positive human health should be tested for faculty and staff in schools. He defined ethical
well-being as authentically living one’s values, attitudes, and behavior from the inside-out in
creating a principled-center congruent with the universal, consensus values inherent in spiritual
leadership. Ethical well-being is then seen as necessary but not sufficient for spiritual well-being
which, in addition to ethical well-being, incorporates transcendence of self in pursuit of a vision/
purpose/mission in service to key stakeholders to satisfy one’s need for spiritual survival through
calling and membership. Therefore, it is hypothesized that individuals practicing and
experiencing spiritual leadership at the personal level will score high on both life satisfaction in
terms of joy, peace and serenity and the Ryff and Singer (2001) dimensions of well-being
discussed earlier. In other words, they will:
1. Experience greater psychological well-being in terms having a high regard for one’s
self and one’s past life, good-quality relationships with others, a sense that life is
purposeful and meaningful, the capacity to effectively manage one’s surrounding
world, the ability to follow inner convictions, and a sense of continuing growth and
self-realization.
20
2. Have fewer problems related to physical health in terms of allostatic load
(cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, declines in physical
functioning, and mortality).
Finally, the general issues relating to workplace spirituality research outlined by
Giacalone, Jurkiewicz, and Fry (2004) need to be explored and resolved for schools.
Building on the charge in The Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational
Performance that a scientific, data-based approach to workplace spirituality was
warranted and necessary, they identified three critical issues to be addressed: levels of
conceptual analysis, conceptual distinctions and measurement foci, and clarification of
the relationship between criterion variables. Giacalone et. al. (2004) argue that spiritual
leadership theory holds promise as a workplace spirituality paradigm in this regard. Our
study provides initial support for this promise, not only in regard to the critical issues
they raise but also in terms of the reconciliation of human well-being with performance
excellence through vision, hope/faith, and altruistic love.
21
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24
Figure 1. Causal model of spiritual leadership
Effort
(Hope/Faith)
Works
Calling
Make a Difference
Life Has Meaning
Organizational Commitment
Productivity
Performance
(Vision)
Membership
Be Understood
Be Appreciated
Reward
(Altruistic
Love)
L
eader Values, Attitudes &
B
ehaviors
Follower Needs for
S
piritual Survival
Organizational Outcomes
25
Table 2. Qualities of spiritual leadership
Vision Altruistic Love Hope/Faith
Broad Appeal to Key Stakeholders
Trust/Loyalty
Endurance
Defines the Destination and Journey Forgiveness/Acceptance/
Gratitude
Perseverance
Reflects High Ideals Integrity Do What It Takes
Encourages Hope/Faith Honesty Stretch Goals
Establishes Standard of Excellence Courage Expectation of Reward/Victory
Humility Excellence
Kindness
Compassion
Patience/Meekness/
Endurance
TABLE 2
Survey Questions
Vision – describes the organization’s journey and why we are taking it; defines who we are
and what we do.
1. I understand and am committed to my organization’s vision. ____
2. My workgroup has a vision statement that brings out the best in me. ____
3. My organization’s vision inspires my best performance. ____
4. I have faith in my organization’s vision for its employees. ____
5. My organization’s vision is clear and compelling to me. ____
Hope/Faith- the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction that the organization’s
vision/ purpose/ mission will be fulfilled.
1. I have faith in my organization and I am willing to “do whatever it takes” to
insure that it accomplishes its mission. ____
2. I persevere and exert extra effort to help my organization succeed because I
have faith in what it stands for. ____
3. I always do my best in my work because I have faith in my organization and
its leaders. ____
4. I set challenging goals for my work because I have faith in my organization
and want us to succeed. ____
5. I demonstrate my faith in my organization and its mission by doing everything
I can to help us succeed. ____
Altruistic Love - a sense of wholeness, harmony, and well-being produced through care,
concern, and appreciation for both self and others.
1. My organization really cares about its people. ____
2. My organization is kind and considerate toward its workers, and when
they are suffering, wants to do something about it. ____
3. The leaders in my organization “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk”. ____
4. My organization is trustworthy and loyal to its employees. ____
5. My organization does not punish honest mistakes. ____
6. The leaders in my organization are honest and without false pride. ____
7. The leaders in my organization have the courage to stand up
for their people. ____
Meaning/Calling -
a sense that one’s life has meaning and makes a difference.
1. The work I do is very important to me. ____
2. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. ____
3. The work I do is meaningful to me. ____
4. The work I do makes a difference in people’s lives. ____
27
Membership - a sense that one is understood and appreciated.
1. I feel my organization understands my concerns. ____
2. I feel my organization appreciates me, and my work. ____
3. I feel highly regarded by my leadership. ____
4. I feel I am valued as a person in my job. ____
5. I feel my organization demonstrates respect for me, and my work. ____
Organizational Commitment - the degree of loyalty or attachment to the organization.
1. I do not feel like “part of the family” in this organization. ____
2. I would be very happy to spend the rest of my career with this organization. ____
3. I talk up this organization to my friends as a great place to work for. ____
4. I really feel as if my organization’s problems are my own. ____
Productivity - efficiency in producing results, benefits, or profits.
1. Everyone is busy in my department/grade; there is little idle time. ____
2. In my department, work quality is a high priority for all workers. ____
3. In my department, everyone gives his/her best efforts. ____
28
TABLE 3
Means, Standard Deviations, and Correlations Among Study 1 Variables
a
Variable Mean s.d 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
1. Vision 3.98 0.72
.89
2. Altruistic Love 3.84 0.84 .72
.93
3. Hope/Faith 4.26 0.61 .79 .69
.86
4. Meaning/Calling 4.48 0.56 .58 .40 .61
.86
5. Membership 3.83 0.90 .70 .82 .65 .38
.93
6. Organizational
Commitment
3.45 0.58 .54 .49 .52 .27 .44
.70
7. Productivity 4.03 0.82 .47 .41 .44 .38 .41 .28
.79
a
n = 229; All correlations are significant at p < .01. Scale reliabilities are on the diagonal in
boldface
29
0
hope/faith
HF2
0,
e3
HF1
0,
e2
HF3
0,
e20
1
HF5
0,
e5
1
HF4
0,
e4
1
1
0
vision
VIS2
0,
e7
1
VIS1
0,
e6
1
VIS3
0,
e8
1
VIS5
0,
e10
1
VIS4
0,
e9
1
1
0
altruistic
love
0,
e12
0,
e1
1
0,
e11
1
A
L6
0,
e18
1
A
L7
0,
e19
1
A
L
5
0,
e17
1
A
L4
0,
e16
1
A
L3
0,
e15
1
A
L2
0,
e14
1
A
L1
0,
e13
1
0
meaning/
calling
0
membership
MEM5
0,
e26
MEM4
0,
e25
MEM3
0,
e24
MEM2
0,
e23
MEM1
0,
e22
1
1
1
1
1
1
0,
e21
1
0,
e38
MC1
0,
e28
1
1
MC2
0,
e29
1
MC3
0,
e30
1
MC4
0,
e31
1
0
org
commitment
0,
e32
OC1
0,
e34
OC2
0,
e35
OC3
0,
e36
1
OC4
0,
e37
1
1
1
0
productivity
0,
e27
1
PRO3
0,
e41
1
PRO2
0,
e40
1
PRO1
0,
e39
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.72
1
1
FIGURE 3
Proposed
School Causal
Model
32
0.48
Hope/Faith
0.6
Altruistic Love
0.41
Meaning/
Calling
0.87
Membership
0.29
Productivity
0.79
Vision
0.80
Organizational
Commitment
0.64
0.68
0.47
0.24
0.30
0.75
0.33
FIGURE 4
Test of School Causal Model
Standardizes Estimates
Chi-Square = 1112.732 (486 df)
p=.000
NFI=.961
IFI=978
CFI=.978
0.56
0.16
0.93
Table 2
VALUES of HOPE/FAITH, and ALTRUISTIC LOVE
1. TRUST/LOYALITY - In my chosen relationships, I am faithful and have faith in
and rely on the character, ability, strength and truth of others.
2. FORGIVENESS/ACCEPTANCE/GRATITUDE – I suffer not the burden of failed
expectations, gossip, jealousy, hatred, or revenge. Instead, I choose the power of
forgiveness through acceptance and gratitude. This frees me from the evils of self-
will, judging others, resentment, self-pity, and anger and gives me serenity, joy and
peace.
3. INTEGRITY – I walk the walk as well as talk the talk. I say what I do and do what I
say.
4. HONESTY – I seek truth and rejoice in it and base my actions on it.
5. COURAGE –I have the firmness of mind and will, as well as the mental and moral
strength, to maintain my morale and prevail in the face of extreme difficulty,
opposition, threat, danger, hardship, and fear.
6. HUMILTY –I am modest, courteous, and without false pride. I am not jealous, rude
or arrogant. I do not brag.
7. KINDNESS – I am warm-hearted, considerate, humane and sympathetic to the
feelings and needs of others.
8. EMPATHY/COMPASSION - I read and understand the feelings of others. When
others are suffering, I understand and want to do something about it.
9. PATIENCE/MEEKNESS/ ENDURANCE - I bear trials and/or pain calmly and
without complaint. I persist in or remain constant to any purpose, idea, or task in the
face of obstacles or discouragement. I pursue steadily any project or course I begin. I
never quit in spite of counter influences, opposition, discouragement, suffering or
misfortune.
10. EXCELLENCE - I do my best and recognize, rejoice in, and celebrate the noble
efforts of my fellows.
11. FUN - Enjoyment, playfulness, and activity must exist in order to stimulate minds
and bring happiness to one’s place of work. I therefore view my daily activities and
work as not to be dreaded yet, instead, as reasons for smiling and having a terrific day
in serving others.
FIGURE 5
FIELD EXPERIMENT INTERVENTION
VISION/STAKEHOLDER EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS
5/16/2004
Vision/Stakeholder
Effectiveness Analysis
School 1
12/25/02
Vision
To educate all children, without
exception, to become
successful citizens ready for the
world.
Motto:
We Light the Lamp Within
12/25/02
Purpose
to provide healthy experiences
that foster emotional, social,
physical, and academic growth
of the whole child.
12/26/2002
Mission
School One’s empowered team of skilled
teachers and staff, with the meaningful
involvement of parents and community
partners, educates students in a safe,
clean, caring, and fun environment that
celebrates the noble effort.
12/26/2002
Values
These values reflect how we seek to relate to
students, parents, teachers, school staff, District,
School Board, and community partners
Compassion Serving and accepting
others to become successful citizens ready
for the world.
Integrity Conducting ourselves in an
ethical and respectful manner.
5/16/2004
Values Continued
Excellence – Meeting the needs and striving
to exceed the expectations of those we serve
through continuous innovation and
improvement.
Courage – The willingness to test/explore
unproven or established solutions and face
challenges
Fun – Instilling the joy of learning and
celebrating creativity and accomplishments.
35
12/26/2002
Values Continued
Excellence – Meeting the needs and striving
to exceed the expectations of those we serve
through continuous innovation and
improvement.
Courage – The willingness to test/explore
unproven or established solutions and face
challenges
Fun – Instilling the joy of learning and
celebrating creativity and accomplishments.
5/16/2004
Stakeholders/Power/Importance
4. Low Power/High
Importance
Students,
Community
Partners
3. Low Power/Low
Importance
2. High Power/High
Importance
Parents
Teachers
Staff
1. High Power/Low
Importance
KISD
12/25/02
Elementary School
Stakeholder Map
Elementary
Students
Teachers
School Staff
Community
Partners
KISD
Parents
12/25/02
Stakeholder Effectiveness
Criteria
Students- Learning as fun. Caring teachers and
staff, good school supplies and equipment, fun after
school programs, and a clean and safe environment.
Parents- Quality education, qualified and caring
teachers, well-equipped learning environment, clean
and safe environment. Feel welcome. Individual
attention .
Issues: Need more information from them (e.g.
Attitude survey, Computer literate versus non)
12/25/02
Teachers- Parental training and support,
better disciplined parents and students,
uninterrupted teaching time, time for
interaction and collaboration, resources
for changing curriculum , administrative
support in setting priorities, adequate
equipment and supplies, and a safe
environment.
5/16/2004
Issues:
1.What we’re doing is not enough.
2. Lack of Celebration and cross-grade collaboration.
3. Focus on negative, not positive.
4. Kindergarten – involve in scheduling aides.
5. Specialists – feel isolated ( no e-mail).
6. Ist Grade – no time for interaction or team collaboration.
7. Better parent feedback on TEKS Report Categories not
measurable.
8. Input on evaluation of Administration/Staff (360
Feedback).
9. Need CIS and other help with parent orientation,
parenting skills, health and nutrition, counseling, and
after school tutoring.
36
FIGURE 6
FIELD EXPERIMENT RESULTS
Demographics
Demographics
Sample size:
Sample size:
N
N
-
-
89
89
School 1
School 1
57/60
57/60
School 2
School 2
31/29
31/29
Administration
Administration
9/1
9/1
Teachers
Teachers
28/22
28/22
Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals
7/4
7/4
Custodians
Custodians
5/0
5/0
Cafeteria
Cafeteria
8/1
8/1
Demographics
Demographics
Continued
Continued
Average Experience:
Average Experience:
School 1
School 1
9.16
9.16
School 2
School 2
8.67
8.67
Ethnicity:
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Caucasian
40/16
40/16
African
African
-
-
American
American
14/8
14/8
Hispanic
Hispanic
5/1
5/1
Other
Other
1/1
1/1
Age:
Age:
21
21
-
-
30 years
30 years
19/9
19/9
31
31
-
-
40 years
40 years
18/9
18/9
41
41
-
-
50 years
50 years
15/4
15/4
51
51
-
-
65 years
65 years
11/5
11/5
Demographics
Demographics
Continued
Continued
Income:
Income:
Under $20,000
Under $20,000
18/0
18/0
$21,000
$21,000
-
-
$30,000
$30,000
2/3
2/3
$31,000
$31,000
-
-
$40,000
$40,000
-
-
6/17
6/17
$41,000
$41,000
-
-
$50,000
$50,000
9/5
9/5
Over $50,000
Over $50,000
3/2
3/2
Education:
Education:
Less than HS
Less than HS
3/0
3/0
HS or GED
HS or GED
8/1
8/1
Some College
Some College
10/2
10/2
College Grad
College Grad
36/23
36/23
37
Vision School 1
Vision School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Initial Final
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
%
%
Averages 1/2
Averages 1/2
4.2/4.3
4.2/4.3
Vision School 2
Vision School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
Initial Final
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
%
%
Averages 1/2
Averages 1/2
3.6/2.8*
3.6/2.8*
Altruistic Love
Altruistic Love
School 1
School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages 1/2
Averages 1/2
3.9/4.4*
3.9/4.4*
Altruistic Love
Altruistic Love
School 2
School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages 1/2
Averages 1/2
3.3/3.1
3.3/3.1
Hope/Faith
Hope/Faith
School 1
School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.6/4.2
4.6/4.2
Hope/Faith
Hope/Faith
School 2
School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.0/2.8*
4.0/2.8*
38
Meaning/Calling
Meaning/Calling
School 1
School 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.7/4.5
4.7/4.5
Meaning/Calling
Meaning/Calling
School 2
School 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.5/3.8*
4.5/3.8*
Membership
Membership
School 1
School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
3.9/4.2
3.9/4.2
Membership
Membership
School 2
School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Initial Final
0.0
0.0
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
3.5/2.3*
3.5/2.3*
39
Organizational Commitment
Organizational Commitment
School 1
School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
3.5/4.3*
3.5/4.3*
Organizational Commitment
Organizational Commitment
School 2
School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
MARLBORO1 MARLBORO2
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
3.4/2.7*
3.4/2.7*
Organizational Productivity
Organizational Productivity
School 1
School 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.2/4.2
4.2/4.2
Organizational Productivity
Organizational Productivity
School 2
School 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Initial Final
%
%
Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree Neither Agree
Averages1/2
Averages1/2
4.0/3.0*
4.0/3.0*
40
School 1 Summary
School 1 Summary
Respondents reported high levels of
Respondents reported high levels of
Hope/Faith
Hope/Faith
and
and
Meaning/Calling
Meaning/Calling
Respondents reported moderately high levels of
Respondents reported moderately high levels of
Vision,
Vision,
Altruistic Love,
Altruistic Love,
Membership
Membership
,
,
Organizational Commitment
Organizational Commitment
and
and
Productivity
Productivity
.
.
School 2 Summary
School 2 Summary
Respondents reported moderate levels of
Respondents reported moderate levels of
Meaning/Calling
Meaning/Calling
Respondents reported low to moderate levels of
Respondents reported low to moderate levels of
Hope/Faith
Hope/Faith
and
and
Productivity
Productivity
Respondents reported low levels of
Respondents reported low levels of
Vision,
Vision,
Altruistic Love
Altruistic Love
,
,
Membership,
Membership,
Organizational
Organizational
Commitment
Commitment
.
.
Conclusions
Conclusions
School 2 scored significantly
School 2 scored significantly
lower than School 1 on all
lower than School 1 on all
Spiritual Leadership variables
Spiritual Leadership variables
Summary of Firm Spiritual Survival
Summary of Firm Spiritual Survival
Calling
Membership
Independent
Professionals
Hell on
Earth
Contented
Cows
Spiritually
Fit
Low
High
Low
High
SCH 1F
SCH 2F
SCH 2I
SCH1I
Summary of Department Performance:
Summary of Department Performance:
Commitment & Productivity
Commitment & Productivity
Commitment
Productivity
Low
High
Low
High
SCH 1Final
SCH 2Final
SCH 2Initial
SCH 1Initial