The Interplay of Leadership , Power and Spirituality

Abstract

Leadership and power are linked. Both leadership and power have different dimensions attached to it which affect each other. The dyadic relationship could be complex for the person who is in leadership position or is in the process towards leadership. Spirituality which is no doubt an independent variable from the individual angle could have significant effect on the dyadic relationship of leadership and power. If understood properly the interplay of leadership, power, and spirituality many concepts related to ethical or unethical leadership could be cleared. This paper is an effort to study this triadic interaction to understand the reasons for leaders to be bad, good, great, or legendary. The stance taken in
this paper is that it is the cultivation and demonstration of spiritual values that makes the difference. Some of the philosophical concepts from ancient Indian wisdom are also used in this paper to bring more relevance.