This research explores how ethical leadership (EL) influences organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) and examines whether organizational cynicism (OC) alters this relationship. The study surveyed 400 faculty members and their assistants at Sohag University in Egypt, using a stratified random sampling method. Data were analyzed employing simple regression, hierarchical regression with moderation (HRMA), and simple slope techniques. The results demonstrate that ethical leadership positively impacts OCB both directly and indirectly. Furthermore, organizational cynicism weakens this link, with employees exhibiting higher cynicism showing a reduced influence of EL on their citizenship behaviors compared to those with lower cynicism. These findings provide insights into the role of ethical leadership in fostering positive workplace behaviors and highlight the mitigating effect of organizational cynicism.
