Three constructs among leaders in corporate South Africa

The study investigates the relationship between personality, emotional intelligence, and spiritual intelligence with six (6) physiological drivers, namely brain fitness, stress coping, nutrition, mindset, sleep, and exercise, which are all key parts of leadership excellence.

Phase I, the quantitative phase, involved the administration of three (3) questionnaires, namely the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), the EQi2.0 (an emotional intelligence assessment tool), and the Neuro Agility Profile (NAP). A sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was used during the course of the study. Seventy participants volunteered to participate in the study. Phase II of the study, the qualitative phase, consisted of semi-structured, in-depth interviews in which six (6) participants partook. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26©. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and to report on the prevalence of personality, emotional intelligence, and spiritual intelligence.

Qualitative data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach for thematic analysis. Six (6) themes were identified, namely, individual leadership attributes, interaction with others, personal intent to make an impact, line of sight between the leaders and society, organizational obligations, and finally, awareness of the macro context within which leadership occurs.