Servant Leadership in the Light of the Positive Organizational Scholarship Trend
Purpose: The aim of this article is to analyse servant leadership in the context of the Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) stream. The article seeks to examine how servant leadership influences the development of the organization and the well-being of its members, as well as how these two elements mutually permeate and support each other. The article highlights the assumptions of the Positive Organizational Theory stream, which offers a focus on the resources inherent in employees' strengths, bringing results for both employees and the organization. Design/methodology/approach: The main research problem is: How can servant leadership, as a management practice, be effectively integrated with the principles of POS to improve organizational performance and employee well-being? It is also important to identify which specific aspects of servant leadership have the greatest impact on positive outcomes within an organization. In line with the stated research problem, a research hypothesis has been formulated, suggesting that organizations that implement servant leadership principles in accordance with Positive Organizational Scholarship achieve higher levels of employee engagement, better organizational results, and greater well-being among team members compared to organizations that do not. For the purposes of the study, research methods such as literature analysis were used, based on which an attempt was made to characterize servant leadership as a management style that supports a positive organization in its holistic approach to human development and its pursuit of balance between the transactional and social dimensions of operation. Additionally, the method of synthesis and deduction was applied, which allowed for a logical construction of conclusions that may serve as a foundation for further empirical or theoretical research. Findings: Adopting the analysis of organizations through the lens of POS and servant leadership enables an understanding of the benefits of viewing employees and the outcomes of their work through the perspective of positivity. Positivity allows for the appreciation of employees' strengths while simultaneously fostering an organization based on values that build partnerships between the parties in a business relationship. Practical implications: The conducted study aims not only to confirm the proposed hypothesis but also to provide practical guidelines for organizations that wish to implement servant leadership in accordance with POS principles. The study results may serve as a basis for developing management strategies focused on building a positive organizational culture, where the development of individuals and teams goes hand in hand with achieving exceptional results. Originality / Value: The aim of the article is to introduce the topic of servant leadership and its connection to the Positive Organizational Scholarship stream. Presenting these concepts will help to understand how servant leadership can be viewed and analysed within the framework of POS, as well as how it can contribute to creating a work environment that fosters both organizational efficiency and the well-being of its members.