Following Hinkin (1995), we conducted a study where a
deductive phase was followed by an inductive phase given
the importance of content validity with regard to the formulation
of new items. After close reading of the available
literature we summarized the main characteristics of servant
leadership and formed a preliminary model of servant
leadership (Van Dierendonck and Heeren 2006). Interviews
were then held with managers who, according to
experts from the European Greenleaf Centre for Servant
Leadership, exemplified servant leadership. The insights
from the literature as put forward in the preliminary model
and those from these interviews led to the servant leadership
characteristics, which we discuss below.