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Examining Mindfulness and Its Relations to Humility, Motivation to Lead, and Actual Servant Leadership Behaviors

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Abstract

This research aimed to examine mindfulness and its relation to servant leadership, an approach that makes humility and altruism the central components of the leadership process. Two empirical studies were conducted in order to test the hypotheses under investigation. Study 1 used a nonleader sample and showed a positive relationship between dispositional mindfulness and humility as well as a non self-centered motivation to lead, both representing essential features of a servant attitude. On this basis, Study 2 used a leader sample and investigated the relationship between leaders’ dispositional mindfulness and actual servant leadership behaviors as perceived by their followers. The findings revealed that leaders’ dispositional mindfulness was positively related to direct reports’ ratings of the servant leadership dimensions humility, standing back, and authenticity. In summary, data support the utility of including mindfulness as a predictor in servant leadership research and practice.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Fares Agua, Angela Grünewald, Matthias Klemm, Katharina Fischer, and Christina Baldermann for their help in collecting data and Daniela Datzer for her support in data preparation.

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  1. TUM School of Management, Technical University of Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Armin Pircher Verdorfer

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Correspondence to Armin Pircher Verdorfer.

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Verdorfer, A.P. Examining Mindfulness and Its Relations to Humility, Motivation to Lead, and Actual Servant Leadership Behaviors. Mindfulness 7, 950–961 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0534-8

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