Abstract

This research explores employees’ perceptions of wise leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, focusing on the unique contexts of government entities and the education sector. The study offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners across the Gulf Cooperation Countries, enriching the regional understanding of leadership dynamics and providing valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the region. The study sampled respondents from government and educational sectors in the UAE and Oman. While the sample size is modest, it was strategically chosen to reflect a diverse range of perspectives from these specific sectors. The study acknowledges the limitations of the sample size and suggests that future research could expand the participant base for broader generalizability. Respondents to the Google questionnaire answered sixteen statements that covered the major aspects of wise leadership: intellectual shrewdness, spurring action, moral conduct, and virtuous humility. In our wise leadership assessment, a high total score indicates strong presence and positive perception of wise leadership qualities among respondents. The findings indicate that wise leadership is prevalent in both Oman and the UAE, particularly within the government and education systems. Notably, Omani citizens tend to exhibit higher levels of conservatism, which may be attributed to their socio-economic status. On the other hand, UAE residents from diverse nationalities display significantly higher scores in wise leadership, potentially influenced by their educational backgrounds and professional experiences in the government and education sectors.