Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a theory of leadership that is sometimes perceived as a trait approach, however, Northouse (2016) views it as a behavioural approach to leadership. According to Northouse (2016), the servant leader has a responsibility to care for those who are less privileged in society and tries to remove social inequalities and injustices. In this approach, less control is used to lead and power is given to those being led (Northouse, 2016). Erin Gruwell’s style of leadership can be analyzed using the servant leadership approach. She has shown on multiple occasions throughout the film that she deeply and altruistically cares for her students. In servant leadership, altruism is the central component to the process (Northouse, 2016).  

Several models have been developed to explain the process of servant leadership. However, this website will pick out the substantial characteristics that composites the servant leadership approach and apply them to Erin Gruwell. As mentioned earlier, Erin has displayed an altruistic demeanor when helping her students. This has not only been exhibited in the classroom but has trickled into her personal life. One of the key behaviors of a servant leader is that they put their followers first and place them before their own self-interests. Northouse (2016) indicates that “actions and words clearly demonstrate to followers that their concerns are a priority, including placing the follower’s interest and success ahead of those of the leader” (p. 234). She has prioritized her students so much that she started working two additional jobs in order to afford resources for her students. She has prioritized her students to the point where her husband felt neglected and separated from her as a result of this. 

Erin has empowered her students and listened to them. One of her students, Eva, was a prime witness in a homicidal court trial. Eva had to identify the shooter, who was her boyfriend. Throughout the movie, Eva was pressured by her family and friends to falsely identify a bystander, as they would say “save her own”. This bystander happened to be from a rival gang and race. Eva made the right decision of choosing the real shooter, her boyfriend. After Eva went against her gang, boyfriend and her family's wishes, she became a target in her neighbourhood for getting beaten-up.  Erin supported Eva throughout this process, empowering her to not only make the right choice but to listen to her as she struggled with this dilemma and the aftermath of her choice. 

Spears (2002) has listed listening as a core characteristic of servant leadership. In this approach, listening is described as communication between a leader and their constituents that includes sending and receiving messages (Spears, 2002). Northouse (2016) notes that “servant leaders communicate by listening first” (p. 227). While Erin not only had conversations with her students, she listened to what her students were saying in their journals. Journals were not only used as a means of assignment but were used for her students to express their feelings, tell their story and ultimately share these stories with the reader. It was in these journals that Gruwell listened and learned about the lives, the tragedies and the adversities that her students have been through. Through listening, Erin has promoted empowerment and emotional healing. 

Another aspect of servant leadership is building a community. Northouse (2016) says “servant leaders build community to provide a place where people can feel safe and connected with others, but are still allowed to express their own individuality” (p. 229).  Although it was not easy, Gruwell was determined to make her classroom a safe place for her students. Referring back to Eva, after the court case she sought support and refuge with Erin in the classroom. She asked Erin if she could stay later to complete her homework. This is an evident indication that Eva felt safe within this classroom and with Erin. At the end of the movie when Gruwell had to fight to teach her students in junior and senior year, her students referred to the class as a family. During the ‘toast for change’ scene, one of her students read out-loud one of his diary entries, revealing that he had a horrible summer and was looking forward to returning back to school because he would see Gruwell, his classmates and would be ‘home’. He referred to the class as his safe home. This class started as a place of division that harboured prejudice but Gruwell found a way to create unity and understanding amongst her students, ultimately building a community. 

In servant leadership entails exactly what the name of the approach suggests - the leader shares their control and influence with their followers. It is evident that on a multitude of occasions, Erin Gruwell demonstrated a leadership style that can be characterized as servant leadership.