Emerging stronger from challenging times: How servant leaders manage workplace spirituality and employee flourishing

Business leaders, particularly in challenging times like the post-COVID era, grapple with fostering employee well-being and addressing spiritual needs. Our research explores the link between workplace spirituality—marked by meaningful work, community, and value alignment—and employee flourishing, with a focus on the role of servant leadership. Using self-determination theory, we analyzed survey data from SMEs in Iran and India, where employees navigated challenging times amid COVID-related difficulties. Study 1 (303 employees in 128 Iranian firms) found meaningful work and a sense of community positively influence employee flourishing, while value alignment has a curvilinear effect. Study 2 (215 senior Indian employees) replicated these findings, highlighting servant leadership’s role in amplifying positive outcomes and mitigating negatives. This research advances self-determination theory and provides practical insights for leaders to foster positive employee outcomes. JEL Classification: D23, M00