Date

7-21-2026

Department

Graduate School of Business

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Organization and Management (PhD)

Chair

William Adams

Keywords

Transformational Leadership, Servant Leadership, Biblical Principles, Ethical Leadership, Organizational Culture, Employee Development, Operational Excellence, Pragmatism, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory

Disciplines

Business | Leadership Studies

Abstract

The purpose of the current research was to explore how combining transformational leadership with biblical concepts could benefit an organization’s culture, employee development, and performance. Within a pragmatic approach and a qualitative design with flexible elements, the study included 30 interviews, case analysis, and triangulation techniques. I sought to address the challenges leaders face when implementing organizational cultural changes and maintaining employee motivation without a value-driven approach. I intended to explore whether the application of stewardship, humility, and servant leadership could facilitate transformational leadership. As a result, the findings indicated that these approaches could help leaders develop trust, innovative thinking, and resilience, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. Servant leadership became the core value and belief that drove a value-based transformation, enhancing organizational culture, employee development, and operational excellence. The study’s results indicated that ethical decisions, accountability and reporting mechanisms, and stewardship provided organizations with stability during crises and change incidents. Relational, personal, and inclusive leadership that valued diversity enabled employee engagement. Overall, the research findings indicated that value-driven leadership not only enhances organizational performance but also fosters a fair and open culture.

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