Transformational versus servant leadership: a difference in leader focus

TLDR

Transformational leaders focus on the organization, building follower commitment to organizational goals, whereas servant leaders prioritize followers, with organizational success as a secondary outcome. This article examines transformational leadership and servant leadership to determine what similarities and differences exist between the two leadership concepts. The study reviews developmental issues in servant leadership, including empirical challenges, measurement difficulties, and evolving conceptual thinking. The authors conclude that despite differences, both leadership styles provide frameworks for dynamic leadership.

Abstract

This article examines transformational leadership and servant leadership to determine what similarities and differences exist between the two leadership concepts. The authors posit that the primary difference between transformational leadership and servant leadership is the focus of the leader. The transformational leader's focus is directed toward the organization, and his or her behavior builds follower commitment toward organizational objectives, while the servant leader's focus is on the followers, and the achievement of organizational objectives is a subordinate outcome. The extent to which the leader is able to shift the primary focus of leadership from the organization to the follower is the distinguishing factor in classifying leaders as either transformational or servant leaders. This article also looks at the next stage of developmental issues in servant leadership, such as the challenges facing empirical investigation and measurement, and the changes that are occurring in current thinking about the servant leadership approach. Ultimately, the case is made that although different, both transformational leadership and servant leadership offer the conceptual framework for dynamic leadership.