Leadership Studies Commons^™

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.

Investigating The Feasibility Of Practicing Servant-Leadership In Hong Kong School Environment: An Exploratory Study, Keyi Zhang, Wing Shan Chan, Benedict S. K. Shum, Daniel H. K. Chow

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-leadership is an emerging area of study in leadership research that emphasises a people-oriented leader-follower relationship and a humanistic approach to leadership behaviour. Due to the limited research on servant-leadership, this study adopts an exploratory approach to examine the applicability of Cheung’s servant-leadership model in Hong Kong schools. Our research investigates both the practical implementation of this model and the challenges encountered in translating theory into practice. We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve experienced school leaders who had participated in a long-running servant-leadership training programme. The interview transcripts were analysed to assess the twelve servant-leadership qualities outlined in the model. …

Leadership Development Programs For Elected Officials: Measuring The Impact Of Extension On County Leadership Capacity, Nathan Palardy, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Although Extension-led leadership development programs for elected officials are widespread, few evaluations assess their effectiveness. This study uses 2 years of survey data to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate several programs for Florida county commissioners, focusing on reaction, knowledge transfer, and behavior change. Results indicate high satisfaction with the program content and quality and substantial improvement in leadership competencies. Commissioners reported frequent application of the skills taught and cited networking opportunities as a key benefit. Findings suggest that Extension-led programs can strengthen local governments by enhancing the leadership capabilities of elected officials and offering insights to guide the design of similar …

Teaching Leadership In The Context Of Crisis: Connecting Organizational Leadership And Crisis Competencies In A Faculty Leadership Education Program, Caitlin Lunzmann, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research focused on enhancing leadership instruction in colleges of agriculture. A multi-institutional research team initiated a program to teach agricultural and natural resource faculty how to create leadership-oriented case studies for undergraduates. Forty faculty members participated in an online training academy centered on Bolman and Deal’s Organizational Frames and case study writing. Following the academy, these faculty members participated in field experiences in the southeastern U.S. to gather data on natural disasters, which they used to write case studies about leadership in agriculture. Though the program focused on organizational leadership, it also discussed leadership in the context of natural …

The Wisdom-Ing Of Academia: A Servant-Leadership Perspective, Kathleen Patterson, Jeffrey Brauch, Don Finn, David Wallace, Jeffrey Anderson, Dorothy Hargett

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This article looks at the wisdom-ing of academia as more faculty members choose to delay retirement, continue working in varied ways, and are vibrant to the academy. Robert K. Greenleaf (1998), who is best noted as the Father of Servant Leadership, called aging the ultimate test of spirit. The authors represent Regent University’s Faculty Senate and look at this wisdom-ing, or graying, of faculty members through a Servant Leadership lens, a Biblical perspective, and then cognitive considerations, to provide insight into higher-education at large. We, the Regent University Faculty Senate, then share insights we learned from anecdotal casual conversations with …

Reviving Civil Discourse: A Leadership Imperative In The Age Of Polarization, Katie Herritage

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This paper examines the current erosion of civil discourse as a pressing leadership challenge in an era defined by polarization and distrust. Civil discourse, the respectful and constructive exchange of ideas, underpins democratic societies yet is increasingly undermined by hostile rhetoric and deepening societal divides. Drawing on servant-leadership and relational leadership theory, this study explores how leaders can counteract this decline by fostering trust, empathy, and open dialogue. The discussion is grounded in the philosophical contributions of bell hooks, Friedrich Nietzsche, Viktor Frankl, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., whose ideas illuminate pathways for revitalizing civil discourse through compassion, …

Teaching With A Servant's Heart: Pedagogy Of The Finest Kind, Rocky Wallace

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

In an age when improved customer service is receiving increased attention across the corporate landscape, current organizational thought is devoting a renewed emphasis on servant-leadership. Ironically, although often with a macro corporate focus, this “leading from the heart” is also transformative in the classroom and aligns well with what should be the core value non-negotiable for all educators in the world of higher education.

On Robert K. Greenleaf's Archival Writings And Selected Published Works, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

IJSL Associate Editor Jenny Song’s essay that follows, along with Robert K. Greenleaf’s four rare writings that are included here, provides an opportunity for me to share some thoughts on the Robert K. Greenleaf Archives, and on two of the five books of Greenleaf’s writings that I helped to curate and bring to the public some thirty years ago.

A Critical Reflection On Servant-Leadership Through The Lens Of Gender And Race-Ethnicity, Helen H. Chung, Don Lee, Brie Solberg

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

To date, gender and race-ethnicity as social identities are underexplored in the servant-leadership literature. In our critical reflection, we problematize this gap by discussing some underlying assumptions about the promise of servant-leadership flattening relational hierarchy and rendering women an advantage. This paper integrates a review of 51 journal articles published from 2009 to 2023 that explore servant-leadership related to gender and race-ethnicity and researcher paradigms that define constructs of gender and race-ethnicity. Our discussion is guided by two broad questions: 1) How are gender and race-ethnicity explored in the servant-leadership literature? 2) How do servant-leaders conceptualize or experience their own …

Dei And The Servant-Leader, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

After the June 2023 Supreme Court decision eliminating race as a consideration in college admissions, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education became a target. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, some states began closing or renaming their DEI offices even before President Trump’s reelection. Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has made dismantling DEI initiatives a top priority. So, now is a crucial time to continue the work of civil rights and social justice in the United States. It is essential that we have leaders that are willing to carry out DEI …

Impact Of Community College Size And Meeting Types On Leader-Member Conversation Quality In Career And Technical Education (Cte) Leaders: A Mixed Methods Study, Kenneth Wayne Kirkland Jr.

Dissertations

Community colleges are complex institutions with the primary mission of workforce preparation and academic transfer. In many cases, community colleges produce the majority of their local workforces. Political influences upon workforce priorities, increased national calls for transparency in higher education training, complicated infrastructure, and technical expertise requirements for faculty have created substantial challenges for career and technical education (CTE) leaders. These complexities require the 21st-century CTE leader to be as externally focused as their presidents, highlighting the importance of communication effectiveness in both leaders.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the influence of community college enrollment levels …