Learning facilitation is service indeed: examining how servant leadership leads to employee engagement in learning

Purpose The purpose of this study is to ascertain the role of servant leadership in promoting employees’ engagement in learning activities. Additionally, the study is intended to explicate the mediating role of employees’ promotion focus relating servant leadership to employees’ engagement in learning activities. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 401 manager–subordinate dyads employed in the Pakistani software industry located in Karachi in two phases which were conducted two months apart. The data analysis was done through hierarchical regression. Findings The study found that servant leadership was related to promotion focus and employees’ learning engagement. The study also found promotion focus was related to employees’ learning engagement. Finally, the results revealed promotion focus mediates the relationship between servant leadership and employees’ learning engagement. Originality/value The study unearthed the previously unexplored role of servant leadership in affecting employees’ engagement in learning activities. Additionally, the study explicated how servant leadership affects employees’ promotion focus to motivate employees’ learning engagement.