Leadership and Performance: Lessons for Public Institutions from Imam Ali's Letter 53

Abstract

This study examines the integration of the leadership principles outlined by Imam Ali in Letter 53 within Moroccan public institutions. Using univariate and bivariate analyses, we evaluated the application and impact of eleven essential leadership qualities: empathy, humility, respect, tolerance, decision optimization, reconciliation, consultation, trust, safeguarding others' interests, active listening, and delegation. The results show a significant gap between the leadership qualities recommended by Imam Ali and those actually observed in Moroccan public institutions. The analyses reveal a negative perception of current leadership practices, with high rates of dissatisfaction with qualities such as empathy, humility, and tolerance. These findings underscore the importance of reforming leadership practices by incorporating the ethical and humanistic principles of Imam Ali to improve organizational performance and employee satisfaction. The research suggests that the adoption of these principles could transform the Moroccan public sector, making it more effective, efficient, and customer-oriented.