Teams are an essential part of the modern workforce. As such, many organizations are seeking to promote cooperation among team members. Cooperation can help to achieve goals, share ideas and resources, and promote effective communication and diverse perspectives. Researchers in this study (Michel et al., 2024) considered the effects of servant leaders – leaders who place the needs of others before their own – on helping and cooperation.
THE RESEARCH STUDY
Across two studies, the researchers gathered data from 569 participants. They found that when the leader displayed servant leadership behavior, the members of that leader’s group were more likely to help and cooperate with each other. This was especially true when the leader was seen to embody the norms and values of the group, and when the members of the group felt a strong sense of identity and belonging within the group.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Teams are the lifeblood of organizations, and cooperation is the lifeblood of teams. To utilize the results of this study, organizations should consider taking the following steps:
- Promote servant leadership among team leaders. Organizations can do this through coaching, training, or selection.
- Carefully select team leaders that match the norms and values of the teams they will lead. In the study, more “prototypical” leaders had the biggest impact in promoting helping and cooperation within their teams.
- Create a collaborative culture at every level of the organization. Do this by emphasizing the value of collaboration and helping.
Michel, J. W., Luvison, D., Tews, M. J., & Wayne, K. T. (2024). Servant leadership and cooperation: The moderating role of leader group prototypicality. Journal of Business and Psychology. Advance online publication.
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