Leadership and Internal Communication: Linking Servant Leadership, Communication Satisfaction, and Employee Advocacy

ABSTRACT To fill the research gap and expand the body of knowledge on leadership and internal communication, the current study is among the first that investigates the effect of servant leadership on employee advocacy through the mediating role of communication satisfaction and employee-organization relationships (EORs). Through a web survey of 777 employees working in medium and large organizations in the United States, the study confirmed the relationship between servant leadership and communication satisfaction, and that supervisory communication satisfaction is positively related to EORs. Additionally, the study provides empirical evidence for the relationship between servant leadership and employee advocacy. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.