The elephant in the room: exploring the motivational antecedents of servant leadership

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how psychological need satisfaction (PNS) relates to the display of servant leadership (SL) behavior through the motivation to serve (MTS) and non-calculative motivation to lead (MTL).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using an electronic online questionnaire completed by 125 individuals from various organizations and industries. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and regression analysis.

Findings

PNS, MTS and non-calculative MTL were found to relate positively to the display of SL behavior. Moreover, both MTS and non-calculative MTL were found to mediate fully the relationship between PNS and SL.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate the motivational antecedents of SL. Moreover, it is the first to empirically study PNS as an antecedent of SL. The findings emphasize the importance of a leader's PNS in their motivation to display SL behavior, implying that a positive work environment is conducive to SL.

Citation

Paas, J., Poell, R.F. and Batistič, S. (2020), "The elephant in the room: exploring the motivational antecedents of servant leadership", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 41 No. 5, pp. 637-652. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-01-2019-0042