The impact of service-learning on the development of servant leadership

This study examines the impact of domestic and international service-learning on developing servant leadership among young adults engaged in Jesuit education and social ministry programs in Australia. Drawing on data from three institutions- two Jesuit secondary colleges and a Jesuit social ministry- the research analysed seven service-learning experiences of varying durations and locations, including the Northern Territory (Australia), Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Using a quasi-experimental design, 60 participants completed the Servant Leadership Behaviour Scale (SLBS; Sendjaya et al., 2008), assessing growth across six key servant leadership attributes: voluntary subordination, covenantal relationships, authentic self, responsible morality, transforming influence, and transcendental spirituality. This scale is underpinned by Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership theory, which places those served at the centre of leadership praxis and decision-making. The paired t-tests revealed statistically significant growth in servant leadership attributes, with medium-to-large effect sizes (overall Cohen’s d = 0.62). Short and long-term service-learning experiences fostered meaningful leadership development, with international programs demonstrating slightly stronger effects than domestic placements. These findings highlight the transformative potential of service-learning in cultivating ethically driven, socially responsible leaders. The study offers practical insights for educational institutions seeking to integrate intentional, reflective service-learning programs to develop the next generation of servant leaders.