Determining the Hierarchical Structure and Nature of Servant Leadership

Abstract

Researchers have yet to adequately identify the hierarchical structure and nature of servant leadership, and there are an excessive number of models and measures that take varying perspectives. Although the servant leadership style has been shown to be non-redundant with the dominant transformational leadership style, the lack of an understanding of its structure hinders both theoretical work and the cumulation of research findings. This study identifies the hierarchical structure of servant leadership using Goldberg’s “bass ackwards” approach on data from a survey administered to 1248 respondents that included the four principal measures of servant leadership. Our results make a theoretical contribution by highlighting the distinction between a follower orientation and a community orientation among servant leaders. Furthermore, this follower orientation can be either task-oriented or person-oriented. By identifying the hierarchical structure of servant leadership, our analysis suggests new insights into what distinguishes and drives servant leaders, thereby, contributing to this important stream of leadership research.