This study investigates culturally grounded leadership practices within Brunei Darussalam’s public sector through an interpretivist qualitative approach. Empirical data were collected from in-depth interviews and document analysis with a total of 33 government officers, representing a mix of middle- and senior-level positions ranging from director to ministerial level. By examining recruitment and development initiatives, the research illuminates how leadership frameworks rooted in cultural integrity are operationalized in practice. A multidisciplinary lens—integrating faith-based ethics, maqasid shariah, and Bruneian heritage—guides the analysis, highlighting the interplay between tradition and governance. Findings reveal the significance of ceremonial traditions, intergenerational mentorship, and narrative identity in shaping leadership ethos, offering a culturally embedded perspective that challenges universalistic leadership theories. The study demonstrates that culturally attuned leadership enhances recruitment equity, strengthens intercultural dialogue, and fosters policy resilience in Southeast Asia’s evolving administrative landscape. This rare empirical case contributes to scholarship on cross-cultural leadership, Islamic management, and public administration by foregrounding Brunei’s distinctive legacy-driven governance model.

Authors:
Pg Siti Rozaidah Pg Hj Idris, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei

About the Presenter(s)
Pg Dr Siti Rozaidah is an Assistant Professor in leadership at UBD School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Connect on Linkedin
https://bn.linkedin.com/in/pg-dr-rozie-b7513742

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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