Local Leadership and Sustainable Development: A Psychological Appraisal of Compatibility

Abstract This is a qualitative study that follows the phenomenological approach. Taking into account the literature that mentions the necessary attributes of sustainable leaders and the thematic analysis of interviews with Pourashave (Municipality) level local leaders, this paper argues that leaders have not yet fully grasped the concept of sustainability, although they possess some knowledge about sustainable development goals. The fact that sustainability is an eternal issue, not just the sustainable development goals, has yet to be fully understood by them. Among the leaders, there is no shortage of political obligations, as they are affiliated with the party whose banner they use to run in elections. However, no concrete vision, mission-driven plan, or specific political ideology has been identified among them.