Date of Award

2026-05-30

Degree Name

PhD Leadership Studies

Dissertation Committee

Cheryl Getz, EdD, Chair; René Molenkamp, PhD, Member; James T. Harris III, DEd, Member

Keywords

spirituality, leadership, contemplative practice, mindfulness, action research, appreciative inquiry, higher education, supervisor, manager

Abstract

More and more employees are seeking ways to incorporate humanistic values of serving the greater good within the jobs they do, and many are searching for a sense of meaningful work. A question emerging from this search for meaning and a desire to serve the greater good, then, is how managers and leaders support their employees' attempts to incorporate humanistic values into the workplace. Workplace spirituality, a field within leadership studies provides some insights on promoting a sense of spirit, values, and purposeful work. However, there are few tools or methods available to managers and their employees on promoting spirit integration with leadership. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how participants understand and possibly enhance, their sense of spirituality at work by using an adapted contemplative practice specifically designed for this study.

This adapted contemplative practice stems from the Ignatian spiritual tradition, the Examen, which I refer to as the Leadership Moments Examen, and is the main intervention for this action research study. Using an appreciative inquiry framework, a unique approach to the action research, 15 participants and I engaged in a co-inquiry through four different research cycles. Individual interviews and focus groups paired with regular individual practice of the Leadership Moments Examen, surveys, and reflections were used throughout the study. The study was conducted at a private, faith-based institution of higher education in southern California, and participants represented a variety of divisions and departments within the university. The Leadership Moments Examen, used by the participants in the study, prompted individual and group considerations (for contemplation) including mindfulness, gratitude, intentionality, heightened sense of perspective and awareness of purpose, empathy, compassion, and grace. The study also provides some recommendations for the organization in which the study was conducted that may be considered to further promote a culture of spirituality integrated in the workplace.

Document Type

Dissertation: Open Access

Department

Leadership Studies

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Available for download on Thursday, November 05, 2026

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