Through the Lens of a Follower: A Phenomenological Study of Servant Leadership Through the Lived Experiences of Faculty
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Authors
Triebenbacher, Maura Kelly
Issue Date
2021-04-20
Volume
Issue
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
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Abstract
This paper serves as the author’s dissertation in practice. Toxic leadership breeds environments of mistrust and stress. As an alternative to toxic leadership, the experience of followers led by a servant leader and treated with dignity was investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the essence of followers of a servant leader. The study was conducted in an urban, parochial high school in the northeastern United States. The researcher sought the in-depth experiences of five faculty members of a carefully selected servant leader principal. Participants were chosen based on their years of experience in education and years working under the selected servant leader’s direction. Each participant has served under the principal for more than 5 years, and each represented different curriculum departments within the school. This qualitative phenomenological study involved in-depth interviews of the participants and thorough observations of school artifacts. Analyzed data were scrutinized for the incidence of being treated with dignity by a servant leader. The intent of the research was to inform leaders of effective practices and strategies and to inform school teachers of the dynamic impacts of a leader-follower relationship. Thematic analysis availed four findings indicating how participants experienced dignity under their servant leader principal. Suggested practices proposed for servant leaders who desire to lead with dignity include: (a) promote a culture of inclusion and belonging; (b) be approachable and prepared to listen to, validate, and respond to faculty concerns; (c) place a high priority on teachers’ physical and psychological well-being; and (d) welcome and express appreciation for faculty ideas and contributions.
Keywords: servant leadership, dignity, toxic leadership, school climate
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Citation
Publisher
Creighton University
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.