The Role of Charismatic Leadership in Enhancing Organizational Sustainability: The Mediating Effects of the Grey Wolf Approach – Evidence from Private Universities in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

This study explores the impact of charismatic leadership on organizational sustainability, emphasizing the mediating role of the “Grey Wolf” approach within the private education sector, specifically among private universities in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Employing a quantitative case study methodology, data were collected through a pre-tested structured questionnaire distributed electronically and internally to relevant participants. A total of 97 valid responses were obtained and analyzed statistically. The findings reveal that charismatic leadership, particularly its environmental sensing dimension plays a critical and decisive role in advancing organizational sustainability. Moreover, the Grey Wolf approach significantly enhances this effect as a mediating variable. These dynamics reflect a growing organizational emphasis on the efficient and effective use of available resources to achieve sustainable outcomes in increasingly competitive business environments. Based on the results, the study recommends that the administrations of the surveyed private universities prioritize the development of charismatic leadership practices and the integration of the Grey Wolf approach. These elements should be regarded as strategic assets, essential for fostering adaptability, promoting change, and addressing the evolving challenges of sustainability in modern service-oriented institutions.