Spiritual Leadership in the Entrepreneurial Business

Book excerpt: In this well informed, insightful and comprehensive study, Mario Fernando critically explores the complex and multiform interplay of management theory and practice, personal biographies, theologies of faith and cultural dynamics in order to elaborate and advance a coherent theory of spiritual leadership. George Gotsis and Zoe Kortezi, Entrepreneurship and Innovation In this example of science and theory meeting emerging reality, Mario Fernando delves into the complex dimensions of the interplay of the science of management, theologies of faith, and the dynamics of culture to first understand and then construct and advance a theory of spiritual leadership. With real world insights and reflections from himself and others, he addresses theory to practice implications and cautions against creating just another fad. This insightful and thought-provoking book provides a timely read and focus for reflection for organizational leaders concerned with success in the new age economy and global society, and who seek a path to understand their own personal and pragmatic spiritual leadership grounding. Gary D. Geroy, Colorado State University, US The book will be an important contribution to the literature and will certainly open up some new avenues of research and inquiry. Ralph L. Piedmont, Loyola College in Maryland, US Although interest in workplace spirituality continues to soar, the literature and empirical research on non-Western, non-Christian spirituality in entrepreneurship and leadership is almost non-existent. Mario Fernando s unique study fills the gap in the literature, exploring cross-cultural and religious distinctions of the contemporary meaning and enactment of spirituality in organizations. Case studies of thirteen influential, spiritually motivated Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim entrepreneurs are used to explore the significant impact of religion upon the management and leadership of an organization. The book concludes that although each entrepreneur s outward practice of spiritual leadership conformed to personal religious beliefs, these practices had two common aims: a connection with self, others and/or an ultimate reality, and a need to direct and motivate self and/or others to develop an organizational culture founded on a sense of shared community. This unique and fascinating work will strongly appeal to entrepreneurship, leadership and business and management researchers and scholars with a particular interest in the interplay between entrepreneurship and spiritual leadership.