Servant Leadership: A systematic literature review—toward a model of antecedents and outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this article is multi-layered. First, we focus on gaining a comprehensive insight into a research area which just recently received more recognition in management literature: servant leadership. Second, we identify antecedent and outcomes of servant leadership within the existing research body. Third, we synthesize and develop a comprehensive servant leadership model. It assists academics and practitioners in keeping pace with the increasing servant leadership literature. The systematic literature review provides explanations as to why managers practice servant leadership. The study also contributes to a better understanding of the outcomes of servant leadership and brings clarity to a discombobulated group of studies.

The Relationship between Challenge and Hindrance Stressors and Emotional Exhaustion: The Moderating Role of Perceived Servant Leadership

“…First, although workplace health has become more important nowadays, there is still scant research available in the literature focusing on the relationship between servant leadership and employees' psychological health [44,57,58]. Recent systematic literature review studies on servant leadership did not even take psychological health into consideration as an outcome construct [23,59]. Therefore, the current study adds to the literature, enhancing our understanding of the association of servant leadership with employees' well-being.…”

King Frederick the Great – Anti-Machiavellian and Servant Leader?

“…In leadership literature, Frederick II is often mentioned in in the context of SL (Langhof and Güldenberg, 2019a, 2019b; Kriefall, 2016; Mangasarian and Techau, 2017; Schütz, 2015; Zinkann, 2007, etc.). But was he actually a servant leader?…”

“…Her speech attracted nationwide attention and was even addressed in the Life magazine (Rothman and Ronk, 2016). The management consultant Robert Greenleaf, being inspired by her speech, quoted the student in his famous essay “the Servant as a Leader.” In his essay, Greenleaf (1973) presented a leadership philosophy named “Servant Leadership,” which has gained particular importance in literature in recent years (Langhof and Güldenberg, 2019a, 2019b; Liden et al , 2014). Greenleaf (1973) emphasizes that the typical servant leader puts the interests of their subordinates ahead of their own.…”

“…German-speaking scholars often refer to the Prussian king “Frederick the Great” as a ruler who lived the servant leadership philosophy (Langhof and Güldenberg, 2019a, 2019b; Mangasarian and Techau, 2017; Schütz, 2016; Zinkann, 2007). Undisputedly, Frederick described himself as the “first servant” of his state, as a generous and righteous father of his people.…”

The New Role of Leaders and Leadership in 2030

“…The central notion of servant leadership involves a strict focus on the followers' interests and needs (Langhof and Güldenberg 2020b;Liden et al 2014). Hence, servant leadership stands in contrast to other leadership styles (such as authoritarian leadership), where the followers serve their organization or their leader (Langhof et al 2020).…”