Leadership Studies Commons^™

The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Who Pastor Men In The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Karen En Bailey Garrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological research project will explore the lived experiences of Black women pastoring at least three (3) who are not genetically related, weekly attending male congregants in the historically patriarchal culture of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church with a minimum of at least one hundred (100) weekly attendees or more, and actively ordained. The CME Church has traditionally believed that the Bible prohibits women from serving as pastors or in any position of control over men. In four previous studies, Harden (2023), Morgan (2024), Tribble (2005), and Williams (2024) found that female pastors encountered obstacles throughout their journey …

The Emotional And Personality Intelligence Cohort (Epic) For Steadiness Personality Trait Pastors, Christopher W. Ortego

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church revitalization is a complex process. The stress it brings can challenge even the most experienced pastor’s spiritual and emotional resilience. Revitalization experts note that revitalization anxiety is especially true for pastors with certain personality traits. One such trait is the DISC personality category of steadiness. Leadership specialists argue that relief from this stress is found through gaining emotional intelligence. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to teach emotional intelligence to eight to ten pastors with the steadiness personality. The training was delivered in a six-session, two-day retreat format. It introduced the participants to the concept of …

Leadership With Kindness: A Human-First Approach To Belonging, Denise Mcdowell Dr.

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Abstract

Leadership with Kindness: A Human-First Approach to Belonging explores the significance of belonging and mattering as essential elements of effective leadership. This reflection paper presents a human-first framework grounded in five interconnected pillars: clarity through compassion, courage in care, connections over control, consistency with integrity, and accountability through kindness. Together, these pillars form a foundation for cultivating belonging and purpose in organizational and educational settings. Drawing from leadership experience, psychological safety, student development theory, and neuroscience, this manuscript suggests that environments built on kindness benefit both individuals and organizations by cultivating trust, inspiring innovation, and sustaining resilience.

Key Words …

Truth, Trials, And Triumphs Of The Tenure Journey: Faculty Of Color In Higher Education, Derrick E. Crim

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Faculty of Color (FOC) face tough challenges when it comes to earning tenure and promotions. Problems like systemic inequities and biased evaluations make it harder for institutions to uphold trust and fully benefit from the diversity FOC bring. These faculty members often bring fresh perspectives shaped by their unique journeys, enriching academic spaces. Fitting into the exclusive social circles and culture of academia takes a lot of resilience and confidence. Further, issues like isolation, tokenism, and racism make things even tougher. Isolation stems from the lack of representation and supportive communities, while tokenism creates extra service demands without proper recognition. …

You Are Perfect, Ashley Davis

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Poem by Ashley Davis

A Journey In Servant-Leadership, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Welcome to our 2025 edition of The International Journal of Servant-Leadership.  I would like to offer my special thanks to all of our readers and 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.

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

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Quotes on servant-leadership.

An Introduction To The 19th Volume, Shann Ray Ferch

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This year’s volume of the International Journal of Servant- Leadership (IJSL) is a collaboration of heart, mind, and spirit, both personal and international, and finds its footing in what philosophers refer to as the transcendentals: beauty, goodness, and truth. The root etymology of collaboration is lovely.

Why Me?, Ashley Davis

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Poem by Ashley Davis

Servant-Leadership Books In Brief: Seven Recently Published Books On Servant-Leadership, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Thinking back to when I began working in the servantleadership field in 1990, there were two books and a dozen essays on servant-leadership that had been written by Robert K. Greenleaf. Thirty-five years later, so much has changed. Today, there is a burgeoning area of books, journals, articles, essays, and so much more written on a wide array of servant-leadership topics. Much has been written by servant-leadership scholars and practitioners alike, and there is tremendous value to be found in the engaging writings of authors.

On Servant-Leadership And Aging, Kathleen Patterson, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

In 1986, at the age of 83, Robert Greenleaf wrote what would become his last published essay titled, “Old Age: The Ultimate Test of Spirit—An Essay on Preparation” (Greenleaf, 1986). That last phrase, “An Essay on Preparation,” suggests a preparation for death. And while there is an element of that aspect in the essay, the greater emphasis in Greenleaf’s final essay is upon how each of us can take steps to create a life that each of us can say as we near its end, was well-lived.

Preface To Song's "What Must I Do? Servant-Leadership And Choice", Shann Ray Ferch

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Dr. Jiying Song’s research on servant-leadership integrates archival work on Robert K. Greenleaf’s manuscripts with contemporary leadership theory. Her analysis of themes such as greatness, responsibility, and personal growth illuminates the ethical foundations of legitimate power, fostering dialogue on leadership that promotes community, foresight, and global well-being.

What Must I Do? Servant-Leadership And Choice, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Drawing on archival research at Yale Divinity Library, this article examines four original manuscripts by Robert K. Greenleaf that explore themes of identity, responsibility, and personal growth within servant-leadership. Greenleaf emphasizes the primacy of individual character over systems, the paradoxical nature of leadership, and the enduring significance of choice. His reflections on entheos—an inner sense of oneness and rightness—frame leadership as a moral and spiritual journey. By situating these insights within contemporary servant-leadership theory, the article highlights their relevance for business education and leadership practice, inviting readers to engage with Greenleaf’s central question: “What must I do?”

A Collection Of Greenleaf's Works, Robert K. Greenleaf, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

A collection of works written by Robert K. Greenleaf and compiled and edited by Dr. Jiying Song.

A Study On Practical Examples Of Servant-Leadership In Rural Areas Of The Province Of Herat, Afghanistan, Nasir Ahmad Rahimi, Esmatullah Jafari, Hajar Moradi, Barbara Schellhammer, Isabella Rega

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This study investigates practical examples of servant-leadership in the rural areas of Herat province, Afghanistan. A literature review revealed a significant gap in research focusing on practical instances of servant-leadership in these regions. We employed a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and circle reflections to collect data. Initially guided by Spears’ ten principles of servant-leadership, our data analysis led to a redefinition of both the term and its underlying principles, while remaining true to the original concept. The study identified two types of servant-leaders: traditional leaders, who inherit their roles through family status, and emerging leaders, who …

The Role Of Servant-Leadership And Employee Work Engagement On Employee Innovative Work Behaviour: An Emerging Economy Perspective, S. M. Ashik Hossain, Muhammad Abdul Aziz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This study investigates the impact of servant-leadership (SL) and employee work engagement (EWE) on the innovative work behaviour (IWB) of the professionals in a developing country’s perspective. Besides, the mediation impact of EWE between the SL and IWB link has been assessed that created unique contribution to the literature. This quantitative research utilized cross-sectional survey design where data has been collected using both paper based and online survey. Using structured questionnaire, we collected responses from 215 professionals from manufacturing and service sectors who are working at mid-levels and semi-mid-levels positions in different organizations in Bangladesh. The descriptive analysis and normality …

The Data Professional As A Servant-Leader: How The Pillars Of Servant-Leadership Can Advance The Development Of Ethical Data Analysis And Metrics In Organizational Life, Olivia Bridston

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Organizations are becoming more and more data-focused. Organizations need to infuse ethics into data analysis and metric development to avoid ethic decoupling and to ensure the equitable treatment of all involved. Using the pillars of servant-leadership allows data leaders to infuse ethical practices into data analysis and metric development that drive an organization’s success. While there is ongoing research to indicate potential limitations of servant-leadership, the data leader will be able to address concerns through emphasizing the necessity for ethical data practices and by emphasizing how servant-leadership challenges traditional notions of power.

Motivational Interviewing And Servant-Leadership: An Interview With Dr. William R. Miller, William Richard Miller, Jemima Neddy Organ

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Dr. Miller is a leader in addiction research and treatment and co-founder of Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based method for helping people change. In this interview, he discusses how he developed MI, highlighting his collaborative approach to servant-leadership. He advocates organizational values that create a collegial, collaborative environment and help meet human needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. He discusses power dynamics in leadership and the importance of a person-centered approach to leadership.

A Reconceptualization Of Servant-Leadership And Measurement, Lori Doyle, Larry H. Ludlow

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-Leadership (SL) has been gaining traction as an evidence-based leadership theory and there are a range of existing measurement tools focused on self-report attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and behaviors. Concordia University Irvine has embedded a SL framework throughout all programs of study offered by the School of Education in order to encourage current and future education professionals in their understanding of servant-leadership as an effective way to lead. It was determined that a published instrument did not exist for measuring knowledge growth as a pre- and post-test focused on increased understanding. Work to define SL in terms of four specific virtues …

Servant-Leadership In Practice: A Personal Argument For Wider Adoption, Stephanie L. Turner-Wilson

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This article examines servant-leadership in practice and advocates for its wider adoption in today’s organizations. Informed by the latest academic literature, the article examines the underrepresentation of servant-leadership. This article integrates insights drawn from the author’s 22-year professional career, the life of Clarence Eugene Pressley, personal forgiveness, and restorative justice practices to provide an illustrative context for how servant-leadership manifests in practice. It introduces the concepts of healing and restoration, complementing Robert K. Greenleaf’s (2021) framework, as outlined in Leadership Theory & Practice, along with additional scholarly perspectives.