Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Servant Leadership

Abstract

Beginning in a formal way with the work of Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s, the study of servant leadership has gradually moved from theoretical discussions, to model development, to initial empirical research. With an emphasis on service, and a commitment to follower-orientation on the part of leaders, servant leadership holds great promise for meeting the unique leadership challenges facing our global communities. These challenges, some of which were evidenced by the fall of our global markets in 2008 and 2009, remind us once again that the health of our organizations and societies is increasingly interdependent on the health of other individuals, organizations, and global communities.