What is the relationship between spirituality and leadership?

What is the relationship between spirituality and leadership?

Are spirituality and leadership connected, or are they disconnected? At first glance, they may seem completely different, but the connection depends on how we define both terms. Let’s begin with the Bhagavad Gita, and then we can broaden the discussion to generic spirituality.

The Bhagavad Gita is actually a conversation between two leaders. Krishna is a leader — the chief protector of Dwaraka — even if he is not formally its king. Arjuna is the foremost warrior among the Pandavas. The topic of their discussion is also a matter of leadership. When two nations are on the brink of war or seeking ways to avoid it, those are leadership-level concerns. So, the Gita begins in a setting involving leadership.

However, the Gita’s primary focus is not on war itself but on decision-making — more specifically, on the principles behind righteous or virtuous decision-making. While everyone needs to make decisions, in that sense the Gita is universally relevant.

Still, if we consider its context — a discussion between leaders, on a leadership issue, based not on temporary factors but on timeless principles — then the Gita can certainly be read as a treatise on leadership. Once we explore the principles it offers for leadership, we find that many are rooted in spiritual teachings. That’s why the Gita is also primarily considered a spiritual text.

The core message of the Gita is that before we decide what to do, we must understand who we are — and this identity naturally leads to clarity about our purpose. We don’t exist in isolation. We are placed in a particular context, and that context gives us orientation.

Whether we are in India or Singapore, in business or in employment, each setting shapes how we function. The Gita helps us understand the nature of the world we live in and our place within it.

Now, broadening the scope: What is spirituality?

There are various interpretations. Some see it as a means to feel good, calm, or centered. Others relate it to religious practices. Still others view it as a gateway to otherworldly or supernatural experiences.

Each of these captures part of the picture. In essence, spirituality is the study of what truly matters. We could say:

“Science is the study of matter; spirituality is the study of what matters.”

From that standpoint, spirituality helps us learn what to prioritize and what to deprioritize. This doesn’t mean we always prioritize only the spiritual. While our ultimate priority should be spiritual, circumstantially, material needs must sometimes take precedence so we can function effectively in the world.

Many of the world’s greatest problems arise from leaders with misplaced priorities. The distortion of priorities can take different modes:

• In Tamoguna (the mode of ignorance), a leader may seek to hoard power and suppress dissent, even constructive dissent, leading to catastrophic outcomes.
• In Rajoguna (the mode of passion), a leader may focus on prosperity and power — not only for personal gain but for society — but often with a short-term mindset, where present gain comes at future cost.
• In Sattvaguna (the mode of goodness), priorities are more aligned. Leaders consider long-term welfare, both material and holistic, including mental and spiritual well-being.
• At the transcendental level, one recognizes the Lord as Paramartha — the supreme object of value. With such clarity, priorities become properly ordered, leading to all-round flourishing.

In this way, spirituality is a set of practices and insights that help us set our priorities right. It’s especially important for leaders. When people undergo deep spiritual experiences — even simple religious practices — they often become less materialistic, recognizing that there’s more to life than fame, power, or possessions.

Even if one simply becomes more calm and centered, they can make clearer decisions and better prioritize. Thus, spirituality can help leaders grow not only in capability, but also in character.

In conclusion, we can say there are two types of spirituality:

• Transcendental spirituality, where one turns inward and upward to connect with the Divine and focuses on transcending worldly concerns.
• Transformational spirituality, where one, through spiritual connection, engages with the world to improve it meaningfully.

Both types of spirituality are important, and both have a deep and transformative connection with leadership.

Thank you.