Servant leadership: a quantitative study of the perceptions of employees of a Christian-based, for-profit organization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to collect and analyze data from individuals employed at a Christian-based, for-profit organization to determine their perceptions of the presence of servant leadership characteristics at the organization. The Organizational Leadership Assessment (OLA), developed by Laub (1999), was used in this study and a total of 262 surveys were returned for data analysis. The OLA was based on Laub's operational definition and six constructs of servant leadership which are valuing people, developing people, building community, displaying authenticity, providing leadership, and sharing leadership. Data were analyzed based on gender, number of years at the organization, and level of employment. Results showed there were no significant differences on any of the constructs for the levels of gender and number of years at the organization. Results also showed that there were no significant differences in the level of employment for the constructs of valuing people, developing people, building community, and displaying authenticity. However, significant differences were found in the level of employment for the constructs of providing leadership and sharing leadership. Results of the study indicated servant leadership characteristics were evident at some levels of the organization but were not evident throughout the entire organization. According to Laub's constructs and score sheet, this organization would not be considered a servant organization.