The paradox of servant leadership in Indonesia’s faith-based universities

Previous literature generally indicates that servant leadership (SL) positively impacts lecturers' task performance (TP) across various organisations, including higher education. This study examines the impact of SL on lecturers' TP, with organisational trust (OT) as a mediator, in a unique context – Catholic religious colleges led by priests, where most lecturers are also priests. Using a quantitative approach with path analysis, data were collected from 108 lecturers in Catholic religious colleges in Eastern Indonesia. Findings reveal a paradox: SL does not directly affect TP but significantly influences OT. However, OT does not mediate the SL – TP relationship. This challenges the prevailing assumption that SL consistently enhances academic staff performance. While SL fosters trust, its direct effect on TP is not as straightforward as previously believed. These results suggest that SL practices in faith-based institutions operate under distinct conditions, requiring a more comprehensive leadership approach. Lecturer performance is influenced by factors beyond trust, necessitating further exploration of additional drivers. This study contributes to leadership theory by emphasising the complexity of SL in religious higher education and encourages further research on its effectiveness in diverse organisational settings.