Servant Leadership: Developments in Theory and Research

Editors: <link people dirk-van-dierendonck _self>Dirk van Dierendonck and Kathleen Patterson

Abstract

Servant-leadership may be the answer to the current demand for a more ethical, people-centred leadership where humility, servitude and contribution are key elements. Coined by Robert Greenleaf in the 1970s, servant-leadership may be particularly relevant today because it adds a moral component to transformational leadership and it places explicit attention on the needs of the followers. Although influence is generally seen as the essence of leadership, servant-leadership changes the focus of this influence by emphasizing the ideal of service within the leader-follower relationship. An increasing number of organizations have adopted servant-leadership as part of their corporate philosophy and found great success, even in tough economic times. With their focus on followers seemingly incongruent to some leadership philosophies, these servant-led organizations are not only highly profitable, but also have healthy corporate cultures with high levels of worker satisfaction. In essence, these organizations have created servant-led environments whereby everyone wins. The purpose of this book is to provide an overview of current thinking and empirical research of the determinants, underlying processes and consequences of servant leadership. It brings together the most influential writers in the field -- experts on the essence of servant leadership, the back ground of Robert Greenleaf's thinking, on its measurement and on how to translate this thinking into practice.

Table of Contents

PART I: POSITIONING SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Servant Leadership, an Introduction; D.van Dierendonck & K.Patterson
Servant Leadership and Robert K. Greenleaf's Legacy; L.Spears
Opportunities and Tensions of Servant Leadership; S.Prosser
Demystifying Servant Leadership; S.Sendjaya

PART II: BECOMING THE SERVANT-LEADER
A Modest History of the Concept of Service as Leadership in Four Religious Traditions; C.J.Bekker
Servant Leadership and Love; K.Patterson
Consciousness, Forgiveness, and Gratitude: The Interior of the Servant-Leader; S.R.Ferch
Motivation to Serve: Understanding the Heart of the Servant-Leader and Servant Leadership Behaviors; K.-Yee Ng& C.S-K Koh

PART III: BUILDING A SERVANT LEADERSHIP CULTURE
The Servant Organization; J.Laub
A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Servant Leadership; J.A.Irving Servant
Leadership Learning Communities: Incubators for Great Places to Work; A.McGee-Cooper& D.Trammell

PART IV: SERVANT-LEADERS INFLUENCE ON FOLLOWERS
Servant Leadership and Follower Need Satisfaction; D.M.Mayer
Enhancing Innovation and Creativity through Servant Leadership; D.van Dierendonck& L.Rook

PART V: STUDYING SERVANT LEADERSHIP
The Servant Leadership Assessment Instrument: A Model-based Measurement Instrument; R.Dennis, L.Kinzler-Normhei& M.C.Bocarnea
The Place for Qualitative Research Methods in the Study of Servant Leadership; B.E.Winston

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