An Exploration of the Influence of Childhood Experiences on Servant Leadership Behaviors

<p>A long standing debate among leadership scholars is whether leadership can be taught and learned. The researcher’s experience, recognition that it is difficult to change behavior in adults, and limited leadership development research on early influences led the researcher to explore the influences of childhood experiences on servant leadership behaviors. A narrative research design was used, exploring the childhood experiences of participants through semi-structured interviews, followed by an interview of a family member. Two research questions guided the study:</p> <p>Research Question 1: What are participants’ perceptions of how specific childhood experiences have influenced their servant leadership behaviors?</p> <p>Research Question 2: What similarities and differences can be found related to childhood experiences influencing servant leadership behaviors among all of the participants?</p> <p>Five themes were found through data analysis: family life, church involvement, mentors/role models, accountability, and group activities. And, all five themes point to an individual or individuals who were an influence, whether it was a parent, coach, teacher, sibling, extended family member, or other individual. Exposure to role models may be through the home, school, sports, church, or other activities.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling, Foundations & Leadership

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Cooper, Eva Marie Ahlquist

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Jan G. Burcham
• Dr. Phillip Bryant
• Dr. Thomas McCormack

• Leadership
• Childhood Experiences
• Family Life
• Church Involvement
• Role Models
• Accountability
• Group Activities
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Other Education

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/260

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:csuepress.columbusstate.edu:theses_dissertations-1258