Authentic Leadership and Spiritual Capital Development: Agenda for Building Quality Management

Abstract

An important factor responsible for the poor performance of many organizations is paucity of authentic leadership and spiritual capital. Evidence from various researchers such as William George (2005), Zohar and Marshal (2004), Stephen Covey (2004), indicate that many business companies and government organizations which were known for good governance, have collapsed, not sequel to lack of economic capital but largely because of absence of authentic leaders and managers equipped with spiritual intelligence and vision, purpose and values. The purpose of this paper is to examine authentic leadership and spiritual capital as key elements for the successful building of quality management and effective organizations. It highlights the nexus between authentic leadership and spiritual capital, describes the common features of authentic leadership and spiritual capital, and sets out a process model for developing spiritual capital and authentic leadership in Africa and beyond. Finally, it suggests strategies for the optimal development of authentic leadership and
spiritual capital capable of fostering quality management and successful organizations.