The Role of Spiritual Leadership on Individual Happiness: The Mediation Effect of Sense of Calling

Abstract

Spiritual leadership and happiness have garnered considerable attention among leaders and followers in contemporary organizations. Building upon Fry's theory of spiritual leadership (2003), this study seeks to examine the impact of spiritual leadership on individuals' happiness, with a particular focus on the mediating role of the sense of calling. A quantitative investigation was carried out via a questionnaire administered to 151 Portuguese nutritionists employed at a national pharmaceutical company. Structural equation modeling, facilitated by SPSS AMOS 22, was employed to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that spiritual leadership exerts a positive influence and can effectively predict individuals' happiness. Furthermore, the study reveals that the sense of calling serves as a mediator in the relationship between spiritual leadership and individuals' happiness. This research presents a novel quantitative analysis of the pivotal role played by the sense of calling in the nexus between spiritual leadership and happiness, thereby contributing to the ongoing debate on the challenges posed by a new organizational paradigm that endeavors to fulfill individual aspirations for holistic well-being through spiritual leadership.