Servant Leadership and Love

Abstract

Servant leadership is based on love, but some may ask what does this love look like, or even ask about the appropriateness of love in the organizational setting. This chapter explores the basis of servant leadership as love, defines servant leadership from a perspective of love, and defines love from a moral and virtuous perspective. Finally, the chapter describes how love works from the perspective of the leader, answering the questions of why one should lead with love and how to love the unlovable; from the perspective of the follower, addressing the questions of how love can transform the lives of followers; and, from the perspective of the organization, addressing the benefits to employees and organizational life and culture. The chapter concludes with a discussion of servant-leaders who lead with love, showing the concept in action.