International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Investigating the Feasibility of Practicing Servant-Leadership in Hong Kong School Environment: An Exploratory Study

Keyi Zhang, The Education University of Hong KongFollow
Wing Shan Chan, The Education University of Hong KongFollow
Benedict S. K. Shum, The Education University of Hong KongFollow
Daniel H. K. Chow, The Education University of Hong KongFollow

Abstract

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. Our findings identify four key elements critical to effective servant-leadership, along with four major challenges arising from both internal and external factors. The analysis highlights how high staff turnover and entrenched hierarchical structures hinder the adoption of people-oriented leadership approaches in schools. Despite these obstacles, our results underscore the importance of servant-leadership qualities in fostering positive school environments. Based on these findings, we propose targeted recommendations for adapting servant-leadership to Hong Kong’s educational context, offering practical insights for school leaders and policymakers. This study contributes to the growing body of research on educational leadership by demonstrating how servant-leadership qualities, when appropriately adapted, can enhance both leader effectiveness and overall school well-being within Hong Kong’s unique cultural and institutional setting.

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Keyi; Chan, Wing Shan; Shum, Benedict S. K.; and Chow, Daniel H. K. (2025) "Investigating the Feasibility of Practicing Servant-Leadership in Hong Kong School Environment: An Exploratory Study," International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 19, Article 21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64749/2160-8172 & 2160-8164.1445
Available at: https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol19/iss1/21