Abstract
Before the recent Covid-19 pandemic, employees in most industries were expected to work from the office during their stipulated working hours. The pandemic notably changed this norm, creating unique challenges for managers who were not used to leading remote teams. Since then, hybrid work has become more common, and organisations have been trying out different hybrid models. The research aimed to gain valuable insights into how leaders can promote synergy and connectedness in virtual and blended teams through spiritual leadership. The study used a phenomenological approach to examine the real-life experiences of senior managers in the financial services sector. One-on-one interviews were conducted in English with 12 leaders from various divisions within the financial services sector who work in blended teams. The qualitative data collected were thematically analysed to identify key themes and subthemes.
The thematic analysis identified four key themes. Firstly, successful blended teams' attributes include supportiveness, trust, mutual respect, shared goals, open communication, accountability, superior leadership, and productivity. Secondly, the role of leadership in establishing these successful teams was going beyond metrics, emphasising vision setting, and leading fairly and flexibly. Thirdly, the challenges of navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution in blended workplaces emerged, with participants finding social demands more challenging than technical transitions. Fourthly, the study uncovered spiritual leadership traits and practices that foster connectedness in blended teams; these include empathy, compassion, integrity, discernment, emotional intelligence and self-awareness, trust and autonomy, flexibility and agility, belonging, as well as effective change management and communication.
For blended team managers aiming to foster synergy and connectedness, this study emphasises the importance of integrating spiritual leadership principles into team dynamics. By cultivating a shared sense of purpose, values, and trust among team members, managers can enhance interpersonal relationships and create an environment that transcends physical and cultural boundaries. Implementing spiritual leadership practices also contributes to the overall well-being and fulfilment of individual team members, and are most likely to lead to sustained success in diverse, blended work environments.