Leadership Studies Commons^™

Unlocking The Gates Of Change: Exploring The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Openness Toward Organizational Change, William A. Whipple Iii

M.S. in Leadership

This capstone delves into the contemporary challenge of organizational change, specifically focusing on leadership's influence on employee openness to change. The objective is to provide leaders with practical tools for fostering employee receptivity to change in today's dynamic work environment. This study employs a mixed-method approach involving a literature review and a quantitative survey. The research reveals a positive relationship between transformational leadership and employee openness to change. A 21-item survey evaluates the correlation between five subdimensions of transformational leadership and employee openness. Practical implications suggest that leaders emphasizing inspirational communication can enhance employee openness to future organizational changes, contributing …

Create Dangerously: An Introduction, Shann Ray Ferch, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

There is something very communal to the art of servant-leadership. As you attend to a life of servant-leadership and engage with the articles here or the chapters in the anthologies, we encourage you to engage with generosity, grace, patience, and a life-affirming essence. Life is shot through with the art and science of servant-leadership, and once we encounter it we see just how directly servant-leadership informs, deepens, and shapes us here and now. As for our mutual quest for the essence of servant-leadership, let’s show care for each other and our work. Sisterhood. Brotherhood. Good intention and good humor. As …

A Brief Introduction To Better Boards For A Better World, John P. Bohley, Jr., Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This short essay includes the Introduction and Advance Praise from Better Boards for a Better World: An Integrated Practice of Policy Governance® and Servant-Leadership, by John P. Bohley, Jr. and Larry C. Spears (2023, BookBaby Publishing). 244 pages. $35. ISBN 978-1-66789-954-1. Better Boards for a Better World – a daunting challenge. In the pages that follow, we will describe an approach to board governance that we believe will enable boards to unleash their potential to become better boards and to make significant contributions to the creation of a better world through embracing Policy Governance and servant-leadership. Our approach involves bringing …

Under The Surface, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Poem by Carmen dela Cruz

Forgive Me, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Poem by Carmen dela Cruz

The Generational Journey Of Racial Reconciliation: A Call For Tender Hearts And Continuing Conversation Through A Servant-First Life Of Leadership, Michael T. Von Behren

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

In the polarized context of today’s society ideological differences on how to address issues of race funnel the angst from riot-stricken streets into school board meetings, sour social media posts, and cancel both careers and friendships. This article examines the critical critique of what has been called third wave anti-racism contrasting this critique with foundational tenants of critical race theory. Servant-leadership is presented as a preferred alternative leading to continuing conversation with tender hearts, which choose to remember the abuses of the past while seeking renewed reconciliation for the sake of future generations.

An Inward Journey, Robert K. Greenleaf

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

A reprint from Robert K. Greenleaf’s Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness, edited by Larry C. Spears and published by Paulist Press in 2002

Self-Transcendence: Servant-Leadership And The Doorway Of Life, Ryan Schmidt

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Robert Greenleaf speaks of his relationship to Robert Frost’s poem Directive as a symbol in understanding servant-leadership, offering meaning for others in their reconciliation of who and where they are on life’s inward journey. Reflecting on my personal journey, in searching for a higher purpose and identifying what needs changing, a closer examination into the learnings inspired by my family is exposing the limitations in my predisposed self-orientation approach to leadership and challenging my relationship to a life of meaning. My inward desire to become a better person is opening my heart towards an other-orientation approach to serving, and towards …

On The Scanlon Plan And Servant-Leadership, Paul W. Davis, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

For 75 years, Joe Scanlon, the Scanlon Plan, and Scanlon-led companies had a robust run in the world of business, aided by the Scanlon Leadership Network. Over time, the number of Scanlon companies declined, and in 2013 the Scanlon Leadership Network, Foundation, and Consultancy ceased to exist. And for the past 53 years, servant-leadership has been growing in practice and influence around the world. This article in The International Journal of Servant-Leadership is adapted from a book that we created and published in 2008 titled, Scanlon EPIC Leadership, published by the Scanlon Foundation. Sections of the paper include an overview …

Would Jesus Build A Pyramid? Servant-Leadership And Corporate Social Responsibility, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

The purpose of this article is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) from a Christian perspective and to study Jesus’ leadership and speculate whether Jesus would have built a CSR pyramid. First, literature is reviewed in the areas of servant-leadership, how Jesus leads, and corporate social responsibility. Following is a discussion of faith integration perspectives and models, biblical and theological approaches, and whether Jesus would build a pyramid. This article ends with a conclusion.

Self-Forgiveness, Servant-Leadership, And Religious Volunteers In A Juvenile Incarceration Setting, Terri Jane Stewart

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Engaging volunteers with religious backgrounds in a juvenile incarceration setting leads to encountering white saviorism (Raypole, 2021, para. 4) and white evangelicalism as expressed through the theology of these volunteers and their racial demographic. Additionally, white evangelicalism used the language and values of Christian nationalism (Boston, 2021). Servant-leadership is an antidote to white Christian nationalism and can balance the inequalities of relationships between volunteer and incarcerated youth. Specifically, self-forgiveness as a practice of servant-leadership and of incarcerated youth can lead to healing from white Christian nationalism and healing from a criminal background.

Servant-Leadership In The Military: An Investigation Of Servant-Leadership Among Technical Sergeants In The United States Air Force, Tracey M. Richardson, Matthew P. Earnhardt, Tori Morris, Steven M. Walker

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-Leadership, developed by Greenleaf (1970), is a leadership theory which prioritizes the follower. Greenleaf contended that putting others first as leaders could lead to a change in society. Patterson (2003) developed a model from Greenleaf’s theory which identified several attributes of the Servant-Leadership model including agapao love, humility, altruism, vision, trust, empowerment, and service. In the military, researchers have used Patterson’s construct to conclude that Servant-Leadership does exist in the military. Though some research involving Servant-Leadership and the military has been conducted, there is a dearth in the literature. In the United States Air Force, leadership development for Non-Commissioned Officers …

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words: Using Photovoice Methodology To Explore Perceptions Of Servant-Leadership During International Service-Learning, Wendy E. Walsh, Tracey E. Recigno

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Healthcare education programs are tasked to develop the leadership capacity of students in the preparation for them to become future healthcare providers who can holistically address the needs of complex communities and our society at large. Educational institutions often look to experiential learning opportunities where students can be active participants in the exploration of new leadership behaviors. In particular, service-learning experiences may help support the development of servant leadership qualities. These experiences and qualities both aid in the development of empathetic, inclusive practitioners and professions. A gap in literature exists on health profession students’ perceptions of these experiences and if …

Thoughts On Servant-Leadership In The Modern Era, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Compiled by Larry Spears

A Journey In Servant-Leadership, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Welcome to our 2023 edition of The International Journal of Servant-Leadership. I would like to offer my special thanks to all of our contributing authors in this journal. Each edition of IJSL contains a wonderful array of articles and papers, poetry and research, film reviews and reflections from around the world that demonstrate many remarkable journeys in servant-leadership.

The Silent Fight, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Poem by Carmen dela Cruz

A Practitioner Approach To Modeling And Teaching Servant-Leadership, Rocky Wallace, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-leadership is increasingly being taught in colleges, universities, and elsewhere. Approaches to teaching vary, but often involve a combination of reading, writing, modeling and practicing it. As college professors, working primarily with graduate students, we have learned over the years that teaching servant-leadership includes a strong effort at modeling it for students. In this essay, we share our approaches in how we structure servant-leadership courses. Some elements include Community, Relevant Learning, Ethically-Driven, Coaching/Mentoring Focus, Humor, Growth over Product, and Mutual Respect of Intellectual Capital. The selection and structure of key learning materials is also a crucial aspect of teaching and …

Absolving Conflict Through Principles Of Servant-Leadership, Brandon Stoddard

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This article explores the inevitable and unchecked conflicts that arise between people and how it can turn into unmanageable rage and harmed relationships. Both instigators and recipients of conflict are ultimately wounded by its accompanying outcomes. By sharing several examples from my life, including the threat of harm from a deadly weapon towards my three-year-old son by his uncle, I demonstrate the hurt caused by conflict and how principles of servant-leaders can help individuals restore positive associations. When faith is stronger than the bitterness and hostility that often plagues humanity, love offers a longer-term perspective thereby opening a way towards …

Servant-Leadership And The Christian Non-Profit Senior Leader: A Study On How Servant-Leadership Influences Growth, William Sharp

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This study aimed to identify the relationship between senior leaders of Christian non-profit organizations that exhibit servant-leadership and the organizational growth of Christian non-profit organizations. This study focused on the servant-leadership style within Christian non-profit organizations, and the servant-leadership qualities are measured using the Servant-Leadership Questionnaire (SLQ). This quantitative study examined the relationship between senior leaders' servant-leadership and Christian non-profit organizations' growth. The study provides data from Christian non-profit organizations on their organizational growth in the categories of numerical growth, mentorship, and service opportunities in the last three years.

Servant-Leadership In Nursing Education, Kendrea Todt, Sarah Covington

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Recent changes in healthcare policy including the sentinel paper from the Institutes of Medicine, now known as the National Academy of Medicine, 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health and the most recent, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity reports have demonstrated the changing role of nurses creating a growing need for nurse leaders. The healthcare industry is seeking to find a leadership style that will facilitate the goals of providing quality care in a collaborative environment. With its natural focus on service, the style of the servant-leader is one option. …

Clinical Leadership In Athletic Training, Tyler G. Vannucci, Lindsey E. Eberman, Matthew J. Rivera, Matthew J. Drescher, Justin Young, Kenneth E. Games

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical leadership behaviors demonstrated by nurses delivering patient care are associated with improved patient outcomes and increased job satisfaction. Clinical leadership behaviors have not been studied in athletic training; therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate athletic trainers’ frequency of demonstrating these behaviors. Method: Participates completed an electronically distributed survey consisting of demographic variables, the Clinical Leadership Survey (CLS), and the Global Rating of Clinical Leadership Scale (GRCLS). Results: We found statistically significant differences between the CLS score of those in a supervisory role (M = 65.3 ± 5.4) and those who are not (M = 63.5 …

Growth And Impact: The Dual Purpose Of Leadership Development For Professionals In Middle Management Roles, Joy Karavedas

Transform

Abstract

Growth and Impact: The Dual Purpose of Leadership Development for

Professionals in Middle Management Roles

Emerging leaders are aware of the skills needed for executive leadership but may not possess the knowledge of how to develop those skills, meaning they often enter higher levels of leadership with awareness of what is needed to lead but without the actual skills to do so. More than any time in history, it is critical that those placed in leadership positions develop skills prior to being elevated. On the job leadership development is no longer a reliable option and intentionality to developmental time …

Weakness Is The New Strength: How Vulnerability Makes Leaders Stronger, Scott Dick

Transform

Weakness is the new strength: How vulnerability makes leaders stronger is the result from the meta-analysis of five phenomenological studies designed to generate a theory that explains how exemplar leaders from five different fields used “soft-skills” and four domains of behavior to create mutual shared knowledge, resolve conflict and transform relationships to produce breakthrough results. The four domains of behavior are communication, collaboration, ethics, and emotional intelligence. The sample was composed of 75 exemplar leaders from five different professional fields and included an analysis of over 1,300 pages of interview transcripts as the main data source for the study. The …

Affordable Housing Testimonies & Sources, Asma Mahamed

What Are The Affordable Housing Options in Portland, Maine?

Asma Mahamed

December 12th, 2023

Civic Leadership

Final Testomity

Liderazgo Ignaciano Y El Panorama De Liderazgo Contemporáneo: Un Ejercicio De Compromiso Contracultural, Thomas Kelly, Jennifer Moss Breen

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Este artículo fue escrito como un diálogo entre dos miembros del profesorado y académicos que trabajan en una institución Jesuita. Este diálogo surgió a partir de su interés compartido en el liderazgo, especialmente un interés en el liderazgo ignaciano. Thomas Kelly trabaja en nuestra institución como teólogo y antiguo director de aprendizaje y servicio académico, y Moss Breen trabaja en la universidad como directora de un programa EdD de liderazgo interdisciplinar. Su formación y ámbitos de trabajo difieren, pero su interés en el liderazgo ignaciano es común a ambos. Kelly inicia la conversación y Moss Breen le responde.

De acuerdo …

Coworkers And Leaders: The Relationship Between Trustworthiness, Trust, And Employee Engagement, Lianne Young

Dissertations

A highly engaged workforce provides numerous organizational and individual benefits (Shuck et al., 2016), the culmination of which leads to a competitive advantage difficult to emulate (Burke et al., 2013). It remains challenging to understand how engagement develops, with little research available explaining the process (Shuck, 2020). High employee engagement levels provide a competitive advantage, but stagnant engagement levels remain a significant obstacle (Shuck, 2020).

Shuck (2020) recommends further research focusing on methods to increase engagement. Trustworthiness and trust are antecedents and drivers of engagement (Chughtai & Buckley, 2008; Federman, 2010; SHRM, 2017). A lack of trust has negative impacts …

Engaging The Church Body Of First Baptist Church Of Baldwyn Through A Ministry Placement Process, Jonathan Haley Uhrig

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Churches often struggle with finding enough volunteers to staff their ministries fully. The church staff and a small percentage of its membership usually does most of the ministry. Instead of pleading for more volunteers and putting pressure on those already serving to add additional ministries, churches can equip their current membership to serve in the church as they are gifted. When someone comes to Christ, God gives them at least one spiritual gift. Believers also have ministry passions and talents that can be leveraged for building and growing the church. Churches can help their members discover their spiritual gifts and …

A Model For Biblical Worldview Development In Non-Denominational Christian Young Adults: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Calvin Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The ideas of worldview and worldview development have not been around long but have been a matter of interest and understanding in the non-denominational area of Christianity, along with the field of scholarly research. Organizational theories play a major role in the development of all individuals. The purpose of this dissertation-in-praxis study was to test and apply a theoretical model for biblical worldview development among non-denominational Christians, ages 24-29. A qualitative method was employed using an applied research design following a deductive research approach. A worldview model was created to help understand the worldview perspective of participants. In qualitative research, …

The Perceived Racial Discrimination Of Incarcerated African American Juveniles By Correctional Officers, Jervaughn Fabian Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an overrepresentation of African American youths at every stage of the juvenile justice system in America, from initial interaction with criminal justice to sentencing and imprisonment. This quantitative correlational study aimed to study the perceived racial discrimination of incarcerated African American juveniles by correctional officers. Statistics indicate that African Americans have a higher probability of offending and incarceration than their White counterparts. Some juveniles are serving long-term sentences, which may go well into adulthood. This study offers general knowledge on what experiences juvenile offenders go through, what promotes such experiences, and how these experiences can affect the population …

Exploring The Biblical And Theological Foundations Of Security Decisions By Church Leaders, John M. Tuohy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological multi-case study explored the practical, ethical, theological, and biblical foundations of decisions regarding an active security strategy at church gatherings by a cross-section of mainline and nondenominational churches. For the purposes of this study, an active security strategy was defined as a formal plan for site security based on the use of security personnel. This definition included any combination of volunteer personnel, contracted private security personnel, or sworn police officers acting in an official or off-duty capacity while providing security for the gathered congregation. The theory of shepherd leadership, as defined by Laniak (2006), and which related …