Toward a Research Model of Servant-Leadership

Authors

Dirk van Dierendonck, Erasmus UniversityFollow
Imke Heeren

Abstract

In recent years there has been a shift in the managerial sphere of interest within organisations. Increasingly, managers tend to focus on the creation of sustainable development. This has a positive impact on employees and society as a whole (Spears, 1998; Patterson, 2003). More than ever before, organisations are seeking to recruit leaders who not only manage, but also lead, and lead well, meaning that they show a strong tendency toward the good, the moral well-being of their staff, their customers, and ultimately society (Patterson, 2003). Organisations increasingly focus on what people think, how they behave, and why certain decisions are made. There is a close relation between these aspects on the one hand and human feelings on the other. They prove essential for adequate decision-making (George, 2000). Being interested in people and their feelings turns out to be a prerequisite for good leadership (i.e., making the right decisions).

Recommended Citation

van Dierendonck, Dirk and Heeren, Imke (2006) "Toward a Research Model of Servant-Leadership," International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 2, Article 12.
DOI: 10.33972/ijsl.294
Available at: https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol2/iss1/12

Copyright Information

Copyright © 2006 The Author(s). All rights reserved