Exploring the Leadership Dimension of Developmental Evaluation: The Evaluator as a Servant-Leader

Evaluators working on a developmental evaluation are expected to work collaboratively with program developers to marshal evaluation in ways that support ongoing program development and adaptation. This expectation introduces novel challenges to evaluation practice and exposes the evaluator to the treacherous waters of program complexities that are likely unique to each developmental evaluation. What may have become accepted norms about evaluator roles, responsibilities, and evaluator-client relationships may no longer hold true in the course of repurposing evaluation for program development. Early writers on developmental evaluation have suggested that evaluators incorporate elements of servant leadership to help navigate the situational challenges associated with developmental evaluation. This Practice Note extends current dialogue on servant leadership as it is situated in developmental evaluation by contributing a discussion on the utility of servant leadership in guiding developmental evaluator behaviour and decision-making.