Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and transformational leadership in law firm partners

Background and Purpose: Transformational leadership (TL) serves as a developmental pathway that enhances emotional intelligence (EI) and spiritual intelligence (SI), which are key competencies for effective leadership. This study examines the relationships between TL, EI, and SI among law firm partners, addressing a gap in leadership research within professional service firms. Methodology: Data were collected from 104 law firm partners using validated questionnaires measuring transformational leadership, EI, and SI. Structural equation modeling with SmartPLS was used for analysis. Findings: Significant positive correlations were found between transformational leadership and EI (β 40 = 0.388, p < 0.05) and SI (β = 0.372, p < 0.05), confirming that transformational leadership positively influences the development of emotional and spiritual intelligence. Contributions: The study empirically integrates EI and SI within transformational leadership, offering insights for leadership development in legal practice. It highlights the importance of cultivating holistic competencies to enhance leadership, well-being, and organizational success in high-pressure environments. Keywords: Transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, law firms, leadership development. Cite as: Mahadi, A., Ibrahim, N., Mahmud, M., Mustapha, R., Akçakanat, T., Yastıoğlu. S., & Erhan, T. (2026). Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and transformational leadership in law firm partners. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11(2), 131-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss2pp131-147.