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Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal

Vol-04, Issue-02 (Apr-Jun 2025)

An International scholarly/ academic journal, peer-reviewed/ refereed journal, ISSN : 2959-1376

Optimizing Leadership Potentials Through Adequate Quantity and Quality of Sleep

Adeyanju, Janet Omotola

Administration And Leadership Department, Faculty of Education, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7815

Subject: Management / Health Psychology / Leadership

Page No: 155-167

Received: Dec 28, 2024

Accepted: Feb 20, 2025

Published: April 01, 2025

Thematic Classification: Leadership Development, Sleep Hygiene, Organizational Performance, Cognitive Function, Professional Wellbeing, Behavioral Management.

Abstract

Leadership effectiveness is influenced by various factors, with sleep playing a crucial yet often overlooked role. Adequate quantity and quality of sleep directly impact cognitive function, emotional intelligence, decision-making, and overall leadership performance. Leaders who experience sleep deprivation are more likely to suffer from reduced attention span, impaired judgment, and heightened stress levels, which can hinder their ability to inspire and guide teams effectively. This paper explores the relationship between sleep and leadership potential, emphasizing the physiological and psychological benefits of sufficient rest. Research indicates that well-rested leaders exhibit enhanced problem-solving abilities, improved emotional regulation, and better adaptability to dynamic work environments. Quality sleep supports memory consolidation, creative thinking, and resilience—key traits necessary for effective leadership. Furthermore, inadequate sleep is linked to poor interpersonal relationships, increased workplace conflicts, and diminished team morale. Leaders who prioritize sleep foster a healthier work culture, demonstrating the importance of well-being and work-life balance. The study also examines strategies for optimizing leadership potential through sleep, including structured sleep schedules, minimizing screen exposure before bedtime, and incorporating mindfulness techniques for stress reduction. While the demands of leadership often lead to sleep sacrifice, this research underscores the necessity of integrating proper sleep hygiene into leadership development programs. By recognizing sleep as a critical factor in optimizing leadership potential, organizations can cultivate more effective, visionary, and high-performing leaders.

Keywords: Leadership, Cognitive function, Leadership, environment, emotional intelligence

Impact Statement

Dr Janet Omotola Adeyanju Leadership effectiveness is closely linked to cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and decision-making, all of which are significantly influenced by sleep. Adequate quantity and quality of sleep are essential for leaders to maintain mental clarity, resilience, and strategic thinking. Sleep deprivation impairs memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, leading to poor decision-making and decreased productivity. Furthermore, lack of rest affects emotional regulation, increasing stress levels and reducing a leader’s ability to inspire and engage their team effectively. By prioritizing sufficient and high-quality sleep, leaders can enhance creativity, improve focus, and foster better interpersonal relationships. Organizations should promote healthy sleep habits by encouraging work-life balance and reducing excessive workloads. Investing in sleep is not a luxury but a necessity for optimizing leadership potential. A well-rested leader is more innovative, adaptable, and capable of making sound judgments, ultimately driving success and fostering a positive organizational culture.

About The Author

Janet Omotola Adeyanju, PhD is a lecturer in the Administration and Leadership Department of the Faculty of Education at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. She holds a PhD in Pastoral Care and Counselling from the same institution. She also holds another Ph.D. in Educational Management from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Her interest is in Christian Leadership through timely Caregiving and Empathic Counselling.

Cite this Article

APA 7th Style 

Adeyanju, J. O. (2025). Optimizing leadership potentials through adequate quantity and quality of sleep. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 4(02), 155–167. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7815

Chicago 17th Style 

Adeyanju, Janet Omotola. “Optimizing Leadership Potentials Through Adequate Quantity and Quality of Sleep.” Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal 4, no. 2 (2025): 155–167. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7815.

MLA 9th Style 

Adeyanju, Janet Omotola. “Optimizing Leadership Potentials Through Adequate Quantity and Quality of Sleep.” Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 4, no. 2, 2025, pp. 155-167, https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7815.

Statements and Declarations

Peer-Review Method: This article underwent a double-blind peer-review process by two independent external experts in Organizational Behavior and Applied Psychology to ensure the scientific validity of the sleep-performance correlation and its application to leadership theory.

Competing Interests: The author (Janet Omotola Adeyanju) declares that there are no financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could have inappropriately influenced the research findings or the leadership frameworks presented in this study.

Funding: This research was conducted as part of the author’s academic activities at The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. No specific external grants or commercial funding were received for this work.

Data Availability: The analysis is based on a multidisciplinary review of sleep hygiene literature and leadership competency models. All theoretical data and secondary sources cited are available through public academic archives and institutional libraries.

Licence: Optimizing Leadership Potentials Through Adequate Quantity and Quality of Sleep © 2025 by Janet Omotola Adeyanju is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. This work is published by the International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT).

Ethics Approval: As this study is a theoretical review and qualitative analysis of existing health and leadership literature and does not involve direct experimentation on human participants, it was deemed exempt from formal ethical review by the Institutional Research Committee of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary.

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