Sustainable Leadership in Practice : A qualitative study on how leaders apply sustainable leadership and its connection to reduced work-related stress.

Background: Sustainability has become a central issue for organizations, with a focus not only on the environment but also on employee health and well-being. Traditional leadership models are often not enough to meet today’s demands, particularly in relation to work-related stress. Research shows that leadership plays an important role in promoting a healthy work environment and preventing stress through clear structures and social support. Creating sustainable workplaces requires both committed leadership and an organizational culture that balances security with development. Purpose and research questions: The purpose of the study is to explore sustainable leadership from the perspective of managers and how such leadership can contribute to reducing work-related stress among employees. The purpose has developed and contributed to new knowledge by presenting a new model for sustainable leadership. Methodology: The study is based on a constructionist ontological perspective, where leadership is viewed as a dynamic and socially constructed process. Epistemologically, the study applies a hermeneutic approach to understanding the managers’ subjective experiences of sustainable leadership and its impact on work- related stress. Method: The study is based on a qualitative research design with an inductive approach and has been inspired by Classic Grounded Theory. The empirical data is based on interviews with seven leaders from different organizations, aiming to capture their experiences and perspectives. Results and Discussion: Based on the collected empirical data, the HÅLL model has been developed. It presents a framework and approach for leaders to apply sustainable leadership, promote employee well-being, and reduce work-related stress. The model is discussed in relation to previous research, and several similarities and differences have been identified. HÅLL also highlights the challenges leaders face in practice and offers a method for addressing these challenges in everyday work. Key words: sustainable leadership, enabling sustainable leadership, implementing sustainable leadership and work-related stress.