Cultic influence in public leadership: balancing cohesion, conformity, and strategic adaptability

Purpose This study examines the dual nature of charismatic and value-driven leadership in contemporary public contexts, where deep loyalty and unity can enhance strategic execution but also heighten conformity and reduce adaptability. It investigates how cultic influence patterns-such as charisma, dependency, identification, boundary control, and spiritual messaging-shape group cohesion and behavioral conformity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed to test a mediation model linking leadership influence patterns to behavioral conformity through group cohesion. Data were collected from 456 participants involved in spiritual or quasi-spiritual leadership contexts. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect effects. Findings Charismatic authority, follower dependency, leader–follower identification, and spiritual messaging intensity all significantly enhanced group cohesion, with spiritual messaging emerging as the strongest predictor. Group cohesion, in turn, fully mediated the effects of leadership traits on behavioral conformity. Social isolation tactics were non-significant, challenging assumptions about boundary control as a unifying strategy. Practical implications The results provide guidance for leaders and policymakers on fostering cohesion without promoting uncritical conformity. Cultivating openness to dissent and ethical reflection can sustain unity while preserving adaptability, innovation, and responsible governance. Originality/value This study reframes cultic influence as a continuum of leadership practices with both strategic value and potential risk. By integrating psychological, relational, and spiritual communication perspectives, it offers a unified framework for understanding how moral authority and cohesion shape collective behavior in complex public leadership environments.