THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IN MANAGING AI-DRIVEN WORKPLACE CHANGES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Yohana Hidayah

Abstract


This study examines the role of spiritual leadership in navigating organizational transitions driven by artificial intelligence implementation and explores how leaders foster employee resilience and meaning during technological transformation. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach, data were collected from 25 organizational leaders and 40 employees across six companies undergoing AI integration through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and organizational document analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and construct meaningful interpretations of spiritual leadership practices in AI-driven contexts. The findings reveal that spiritual leadership significantly mitigates employee anxiety and resistance to AI adoption by cultivating organizational purpose, fostering psychological safety, and emphasizing human value beyond productivity metrics. Four key themes emerged: the importance of vision articulation that balances technological advancement with human dignity, creation of meaningful work environments amid automation, empowerment through reskilling initiatives framed as personal growth opportunities, and the establishment of ethical frameworks for AI deployment. Leaders who demonstrated spiritual leadership qualities facilitated smoother transitions by addressing existential concerns about job displacement and helping employees redefine their roles in AI-augmented workplaces. This research concludes that spiritual leadership provides a humanistic counterbalance to technology-driven organizational change, promoting sustainable transformation by addressing both practical and existential employee needs. The findings suggest organizations should integrate spiritual leadership development into change management strategies for AI implementation.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Alawiye, Peter Olakunle, Samiat Ishola, Basil Ifeanyichukwu Okpara, Charles Chigozie Osakwe, and Peace Eniola. 2025. “INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION JOURNAL ( ISSEJ ) Leadership , Culture , and Employee Wellbeing in Dealing with Artificial Intelligence and Its Complexities : Effects on Mental Health in the Workplace.” 3463. doi: 10.61424/issej.

Amalia, Diah, Muhammad Ramadhan, Program Studi, Akuntansi Manajerial, Politeknik Negeri Batam, and Batam Centre. 2019. “KECERDASAN SPIRITUAL TERHADAP KEPEMIMPINAN.” 3(1):126–39.

Chen, Silu, Wanxing Jiang, Guanglei Zhang, and Fulei Chu. 2019. “Spiritual Leadership on Proactive Workplace Behavior : The Role of Organizational Identification and Psychological Safety.” 10(May):1–10. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01206.

Das, Lokesh K. 2025. “Beyond Algorithms : The Role of Workplace Spirituality in Preserving Human Dignity in AI-Centric Organizations.” 27–35. doi: 10.9790/487X-conf2735.

Davenport, B. Y. Thomas H., and Rajeev Ronanki. 2018. “Intelligence for the Real World.” (February):108–17.

Emilisa, Netania, Ahmad Hilalluddin, Handika Andrianto, and Hendri Apriansyah. 2025. “Pengaruh Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) Dan Leadership Terhadap Sustainable Organisational Performance Yang Dimediasi Oleh Employee Engagement Pada Perusahaan E-Commerce Di Jakarta Selatan.” 5(3):1281–92.

Fry, Louis W. 2018. “Toward a Theory of Spiritual Leadership.” (March). doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2003.09.001.

Mengambil, Pemimpin, Keputusan Strategis, Putri Abellia Safrilina, Khoirun Nisa, Ach Fausi, and Mochammad Isa Anshori. 2025. “AI-Driven Leadership : Bagaimana AI Mengubah Cara.” 9(2):621–32. doi: 10.52362/jisamar.v9i2.1828.

Nabil, Aminun, Ahmad Syahir, Mohd Syukri, and Zainal Abidin. 2025. Workplace Spirituality and Its Impact on Employee Well ‑ Being : A Systematic Literature Review of Global Evidence. Vol. 64. Springer US.

Nisa, Fi, Dhea Nurhidayati Fauzyah, Tri Septian Ariyanto, and Mohammad Isa Anshori. 2025. “Kepemimpinan Adaptif Di Era Otomasi : Strategi Pemimpin Dalam Menghadapi Dampak AI Terhadap Tenaga Kerja.” 4(1):1–12.

Rafsanjani, Haqiqi. 2017. “KEPEMIMPINAN SPIRITUAL ( SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP ).” 2(1).

Sinar, C. V, and Daya Alam. 2026. “PENGARUH SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP DAN KECERDASAN INTELEKTUAL TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN.” 7(1):356–66.

Spiritual, Kepemimpinan Berbasis, Ritta Setiyati, Lestanto Pudji Santosa, Fakultas Ekonomi, Universitas Esa, Fakultas Ilmu, Komputer Universitas, Esa Unggul, and Kebon Jeruk. n.d. “Kepemimpinan Berbasis Spiritual.”

Supodo, Yuli, and Patria Yunita. 2025. “Model Grand Theory Tata Kelola Organisasi Pendidikan Islam Berbasis Kepemimpinan Spiritual Dan Teknologi.” 4(2):13888–93.

Tiberius, Victor. 2024. “Administrative Sciences Identifying Constituent Elements of Entrepreneurship Curricula : A Systematic Literature Review.” 1–18.

Tuhan, Pengembangan Hamba. 2024. “Transformasi Spiritual : Pemanfaatan Kecerdasan Buatan.” 3(November).




DOI: https://doi.org/10.3059/insis.v0i0.29393

DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.3059/insis.v0i0.29393.g14869

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.