An Analysis of Servant and Autocratic Leadership in Church Organizations in Nigeria and Their Impact on Employee Performance, Satisfaction, and Productivity: Unraveling the Connection Between These Paradigms and Employee Contentment, Motivation, and

Abstract: Leadership is central to contemporary management and organizational effectiveness. This study presents the findings of an examination and analysis of servant leadership, autocratic leadership, employee performance, employee satisfaction, and employee productivity. In particular, the servant leadership paradigm serves as a guide and model to organizational leadership, challenging traditional autocratic models. A conclusion is pursued with specific research, managerial, and theological implications. (Qiu & Dooley, 2022)(Angtud et al.2023)(Prasath et al.2021)(Chi et al., 2020)(Muzira et al.2020)(Sousa & van Dierendonck, 2021)(Hai & Van, 2021) Leaders exploiting internal resources and strengthening human and social capital lead to collective results such as competitive advantage and sustained performance. Literature reiterates that effective leaders tend to cultivate trust, innovation, and knowledge exchange by facilitating the creation of a culture that is both value-based and people-oriented. Leadership is the engine that drives human resources, and leadership behavior has been linked to job satisfaction, which is found to be positive when incumbents serve as servant leaders, and vice versa, found to be positive when leaders take on an autocratic leadership style.