The Role of Servant Leadership in Empowering Community-Based Organizations: A Case Study in Rural Development Movements
Abstract
This study explores the role of servant leadership in empowering community-based organizations (CBOs) within rural development contexts in Indonesia. The primary objective of the research is to examine how servant leadership practices influence community participation, capacity building, and collective agency in grassroots development initiatives. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research was conducted in a rural village CBO and involved purposive sampling of 15 participants representing diverse stakeholder groups. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that servant leadership serves as a critical catalyst for community empowerment by fostering inclusive decision-making, strengthening individual and collective capacities, and building trust-based social capital. Leaders who prioritize service, humility, and ethical stewardship enable community members to transition from passive beneficiaries to active agents of development. The study further demonstrates that servant leadership facilitates the diffusion of leadership within the community, enhancing organizational sustainability and reducing dependence on external actors. The novelty of this research lies in its contextualized examination of servant leadership within grassroots rural development settings, extending servant leadership theory beyond formal organizational environments into community-driven development practices. Practically, the findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and CBO leaders by highlighting servant leadership as an effective governance approach for sustainable and participatory rural development. This study underscores the potential of servant leadership to strengthen community resilience, promote social cohesion, and support long-term development outcomes in the Global South.
Downloads
References
Asbari, M. and Novitasari, D. (2021). Pengaruh Aktivitas Berbagi Pengetahuan dan Mediasi Budaya terhadap Kemampuan Inovasi Guru. JMSP (Jurnal Manajemen Dan Supervisi Pendidikan), 5(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.17977/um025v5i12020p50
Asbari, M. and Novitasari, D. (2022). Did Islamic Leadership Influence Online Learning Systems?. Edumaspul - Jurnal Pendidikan, 6(1), 852-862. https://doi.org/10.33487/edumaspul.v6i1.3310
Asbari, M., Novitasari, D., Pebrina, E., & Santoso, J. (2020). Work-Family Conflict, Readiness for Change and Employee Performance Relationship During the Covid-19 Pandemic. JPBM (Jurnal Pendidikan Bisnis Dan Manajemen), 6(2), 67-77. https://doi.org/10.17977/um003v6i22020p067
Asbari, M., Nurhayati, W., & Purwanto, A. (2020). The effect of parenting style and genetic personality on children character development. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Evaluasi Pendidikan, 23(2), 206-218. https://doi.org/10.21831/pep.v23i2.28151
Asbari, M., Purba, J., Hariandja, E., & Sudibjo, N. (2021). Membangun Kesiapan Berubah dan Kinerja Karyawan: Kepemimpinan Transformasional versus Transaksional. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 22(1), 54-71. https://doi.org/10.30596/jimb.v22i1.4888
Asbari, M., Purba, J., Hariandja, E., & Sudibjo, N. (2023). The Mediating Role of Dynamic Leadership towards the Relationship between Knowledge-Sharing Behaviour and Innovation Performance in Higher Education. International Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research, 22(11), 466-485. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.11.24
Azhari, D., Voice, G., Sinariana, I., Annisah, N., & Sari, N. (2023). Melepas Kepedulian Berlebihan: Kunci Menuju Kehidupan yang Bahagia dan Damai. J.L, 2(01), 45-51. https://doi.org/10.70508/literaksi.v2i01.262
Hutagalung, D., Admiral, A., Nuryanti, Y., Asbari, M., & Novitasari, D. (2021). Managing Tacit Knowledge Sharing: From Charismatic Leadership to Psychological Safety Climate. Inovbiz Jurnal Inovasi Bisnis, 9(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.35314/inovbiz.v9i1.1888
Kamar, K., Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., Winanti, W., & Goestjahjanti, F. (2020). Enhancing Employee Performance During the Covid-19 Pandemic: the Role of Readiness for Change Mentality. Jurnal Dinamika Manajemen, 11(2), 154-166. https://doi.org/10.15294/jdm.v11i2.25279
Komalasari, S. and Asbari, M. (2023). Fenomena Pengadilan Netizen: Dampak Negatif Over-sharing?. J.L, 1(01), 67-71. https://doi.org/10.70508/literaksi.v1i01.36
Mintari, N., Asbari, M., & Astuti, N. (2024). Implementasi Perencanaan Produksi dan Kapasitas Mesin Guna Meningkatkan Efisiensi Produksi: Systematic Literature Review. J.Jismab, 1(02), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.70508/8e7bwt89
Nofiyanti, N., Asbari, M., & Fajrin, A. (2025). Pengaruh Strategi Komunikasi terhadap Kepuasan Pelanggan: Studi Literatur dalam Konteks Hubungan Bisnis. J.Jismab, 2(01), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.70508/4gbhrz30
Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., & Purwanto, A. (2022). Do Genetic Personalities And Authorative Parenting Styles Influence Children’s Character? A Correlational Study At Elementary Schools In Indonesia. Jurnal Pajar (Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran), 6(1), 260. https://doi.org/10.33578/pjr.v6i1.8308
Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., & Sasono, I. (2021). Analisis Pengaruh Religiusitas dan Kualitas Pelayanan terhadap Kepuasan Kerja: Studi Kasus pada Karyawan Industri Manufaktur. Jurnal Manajemen Strategi Dan Aplikasi Bisnis, 4(1), 117-130. https://doi.org/10.36407/jmsab.v4i1.268
Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., Wijaya, M., & Yuwono, T. (2020). Effect of Organizational Justice on Organizational Commitment: Mediating Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Satisfaction. International Journal of Science and Management Studies (Ijsms), 96-112. https://doi.org/10.51386/25815946/ijsms-v3i3p110
Novitasari, D., Hutagalung, D., Silitonga, N., Johan, M., & Asbari, M. (2021). Membangun Perencanaan dan Kinerja Tim: Analisis Pengaruh Efikasi Kolektif dan Iklim Kecerdasan Emosional. JKBM (Jurnal Konsep Bisnis Dan Manajemen), 7(2), 191-205. https://doi.org/10.31289/jkbm.v7i2.5116
Novitasari, D., Juliana, J., Asbari, M., & Purwanto, A. (2021). The Effect of Financial Literacy, Parents’ Social Economic and Student Lifestyle on Students Personal Financial Management. Economic Education Analysis Journal, 10(3), 522-531. https://doi.org/10.15294/eeaj.v10i3.50721
Novitasari, D., Kumoro, D., Yuwono, T., & Asbari, M. (2020). Authentic Leadership and Innovation: What is the Role of Psychological Capital?. International Journal of Science and Management Studies (Ijsms), 27-42. https://doi.org/10.51386/25815946/ijsms-v3i5p103
Novitasari, D., Sasono, I., & Asbari, M. (2020). Work-Family Conflict and Worker’s Performance during Covid-19 Pandemic: What is the Role of Readiness to Change Mentality?. International Journal of Science and Management Studies (Ijsms), 122-134. https://doi.org/10.51386/25815946/ijsms-v3i4p112
Nurhayati, W., Zawirrahmi, Z., Arinindyah, O., Nurhidayah, N., Asrofi, I., & Asbari, M. (2024). Transformative Leadership: Harnessing Religious Values for Positive Educational Outcomes. Edumaspul - Jurnal Pendidikan, 8(2), 3899-3907. https://doi.org/10.33487/edumaspul.v8i2.8516
Pebrina, E., Sasono, I., Hutagalung, D., Riyanto, R., & Asbari, M. (2021). Adopsi E-Commerce oleh Umkm di Banten: Analisis Pengaruh Theory Of Planned Behavior. Edukatif Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 3(6), 4426-4438. https://doi.org/10.31004/edukatif.v3i6.1484
Pramono, T., Ardiansyah, A., Kurniasih, M., Putra, F., Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., … & Waruwu, H. (2024). The Role of Positive Discipline in The Digital Era: Fostering Inclusive Learning Environments. Journal.Niswantara, 1(02), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.70508/akagps39
Prasetyo, D. and Asbari, M. (2023). Fixed Mindset versus Growth Mindset: Model Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia. J.L, 1(01), 215-221. https://doi.org/10.70508/literaksi.v1i01.252
Purwanto, A., Asbari, M., Prameswari, M., Ramdan, M., & Setiawan, S. (2020). Dampak Kepemimpinan, Budaya Organisasi dan Perilaku Kerja Inovatif Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Puskesmas. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, 9(01), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.33221/jikm.v9i01.473
Purwanto, A., Asbari, M., Santoso, P., Wijayanti, L., Hyun, C., & Pramono, R. (2020). Effect of Application ISO 38200:2018 Chain of Wood Products Custody toward Paper Company Competitiveness in Borneo Island Indonesia. International Journal of Science and Management Studies (Ijsms), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.51386/25815946/ijsms-v3i2p104
Purwanto, A., Asbari, M., Santoso, T., Sunarsi, D., & Ilham, D. (2021). Education Research Quantitative Analysis for Little Respondents. Jurnal Studi Guru Dan Pembelajaran, 4(2), 335-350. https://doi.org/10.30605/jsgp.4.2.2021.1326
Purwanto, A., Wijayanti, L., Hyun, C., & Asbari, M. (2020). The Effect Of Tansformational, Transactional, Authentic And Authoritarian Leadership Style Toward Lecture Performance Of Private University In Tangerang. Dinasti International Journal of Digital Business Management, 1(1), 29-42. https://doi.org/10.31933/dijdbm.v1i1.88
Ramadhan, F., Pirngadi, H., Marsad, M., Nurhidayah, N., & Fauzi, I. (2025). Building an Innovative Culture through Technological Leadership: An Empirical Approach. J.IJOMER, 2(01), 99-104. https://doi.org/10.70508/kvf7v787
Riyanto, R., Asbari, M., Nadeak, M., & Novitasari, D. (2021). Analisis Mediasi Perencanaan Tim Kerja Dosen pada Pengaruh Team efficacy dan Iklim Keamanan Psikologis terhadap Kinerja Tim. Jurnal Bisnis Dan Manajemen, 8(2), 202-213. https://doi.org/10.26905/jbm.v8i2.5711
Tan, J., Purba, J., Asbari, M., & Purwanto, A. (2022). Towards Longevity: Managing Innovativeness in Family Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises. Indonesian Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship. https://doi.org/10.17358/ijbe.8.1.70
Wardani, S., Asbari, M., & Misri, M. (2024). Pengaruh Self-Theories terhadap Motivasi, Kepribadian, dan Pengembangan Diri. J.L, 2(02), 135-140. https://doi.org/10.70508/literaksi.v2i02.495
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Leadership in Organisation and Development (JLOD)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
