Servant as Leader: The Effects of Servant-Leaders on Trust, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions in Intercollegiate Athletics

Authors

Rebecca M. Achen, Illinois State UniversityFollow
Regan Dodd, Missouri Western UniversityFollow
Angela Lumpkin, Texas Tech UniversityFollow
Kris Plunkett, Texas Tech UniversityFollow

Abstract

This study examined the possible influence of servant leadership in NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics. Using a survey research design, 326 athletic department employees were asked to provide their perceptions of their athletic directors’ servant leadership characteristics and respond to questions on trust in leader, turnover intentions, and job satisfaction. Results from structural equation modeling suggested servant-leaders significantly and positively impacted perceptions of trust in leader and job satisfaction. Additionally, there was a significant effect of perceptions of servant leadership on turnover intentions as mediated by job satisfaction. Sport leaders taking a servant leadership approach in their organizations could help nurture a trusting, collaborative, and more satisfying work environment.

Recommended Citation

Achen, Rebecca M.; Dodd, Regan; Lumpkin, Angela; and Plunkett, Kris (2019) "Servant as Leader: The Effects of Servant-Leaders on Trust, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions in Intercollegiate Athletics," Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice: Vol. 6: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol6/iss1/2