Original Research

Servant leadership, team-based learning and hope and optimism: A sectoral comparative study

Anton Grobler, Aden-Paul Flotman
South African Journal of Business Management | Vol 52, No 1 | a2444 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v52i1.2444 | © 2021 Anton Grobler, Aden-Paul Flotman | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 November 2020 | Published: 21 September 2021

About the author(s)

Anton Grobler, Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Aden-Paul Flotman, South Africa Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: This is an era of unprecedented turbulence. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic testifies to this turmoil as, daily, the unknown dynamically unfolds. It is important during challenging times like these that leadership and organisational response enhance a shared positive vision for the future of humanity. This study aimed at determining the role played by servant leadership (SL) in promoting employee well-being, specifically, a positive future expectation in terms of hope and optimism (H&O), as well as the impact that team-based learning (TBL) has on this relationship, and whether this is the same for both the private and public sectors.

Design/methodology/approach: This study employed an empirical paradigm, using a cross-sectional design and quantitative analysis. The total sample consisted of 1560 participants, with 780 employed in the private and public sector, respectively.

Findings/results: The results suggest that both SL and TBL have a significant impact on employees’ H&O, with TBL being a mediating variable and with stronger relationships reported for the private sector. Technically, the TBL instrument employed was validated for South African use and the study included a statistical assessment of common method bias, which was found not to skew the results.

Practical implications: This study provides further empirical evidence that SL is positively associated with H&O. Secondly, the future-mindedness and future-orientation of H&O could stimulate adaptive responses during this time of uncertainty and turmoil. Thus, H&O, as potential resilience factors, could generate resilience by harnessing opportunities and setbacks both during the Covid-19 pandemic and in its aftermath.

Originality/value: The practical value of this article is in the empirical evidence that both the leaders and the organisation have an impact on the employees’ wellness and positive work attitudes.


Keywords

employee well-being; hope and optimism; sectoral comparison; servant leadership; team-based learning

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Crossref Citations

1. Hope and work: From the pandemic to possibility, purpose, and resilience
Angela Mouton
Current Opinion in Psychology  vol: 49  first page: 101550  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101550