Trait Analysis
The trait approach was the dominant theory of leadership throughout the 1920’s. This perspective of leadership sheds light on the personality traits of a leader and has been described by a number of trait approach scholars as the “great man theory”.
According to Northouse (2016) the trait approach “focused on identifying the main qualities and characteristics possessed by great social, political and military leaders” (p. 19). A series of surveys have been created to assess the level of leadership qualities individuals possess. Throughout the century, several research findings and surveys have emerged indicating what particular traits generate leadership.
Stogdill’s (1948) survey has posited that individuals do not become leaders based solely on their traits. It is important to note that this theory has been challenged by a number of scholars on the grounds that leadership traits are not universal and vary according to situational circumstances, as Northouse (2016) says “the traits that leaders possess must be relevant in which the leader is functioning” (p. 20). Thus, the major traits collected over the series of leadership surveys will be applied to Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers (2007).
Erin Gruwell has displayed traits that have been deemed leadership traits throughout the movie. Northouse (2016) defines self-confidence as one’s ability to be certain about their competence and skills. While Gruwell has had moments of doubt about her place in that classroom and the influence over her students, she was certain that she was meant to be a teacher. When Erin first met her department head, she was given a brief summary of the students she would be working with. Although indescriptive, her department head forewarned her about the troublesome students she would have and Erin did not hesitate or back down. Instead, she reassured the department head, numerous times, that she was the right person for this role. She did not back down from her students or colleagues on a multitude of occasions when she was challenged. She was confident that she had the knowledge, skills and ability to work in this role and with troubled students.
Erin Gruwell also exhibited determination. According to Northouse (2016), “determination is the desire to get the job done and includes characteristics such as initiative, persistence, dominance and drive” (p. 25). In the few moments of weakness she had of doubting herself and her abilities, her determination would get her through this. When Erin went out for dinner with her father, she was criticized by him for becoming a teacher; however, she was not discouraged by her choice. Throughout the semester, Gruwell wanted to integrate literature better suited for the students but met with a number of challenges when attempting to do this. One of these barriers was the financial burden because her department head refused to provide her with the means and resources needed to do this. To circumvent this, Erin got two additional jobs to pay for these resources.
Gruwell demonstrated that she was a person of integrity. Integrity is the quality of honesty and trustworthiness” (Northouse, 2016, p. 25). People who exhibit integrity take responsibility for their actions and stand by their values and moral principles (Northouse, 2016). Gruwell refused to submit to the department head’s delegation, realizing that this woman was a racist and was not acting in the best interest of her students. She was always honest with her students, even if she knew her students would not like this. Toward the end of the movie, Erin had to fight to stay with these students and was uncertain about her remaining time with them. In the process of doing this, she was honest with them as she went through the logistics and pleaded with the school board. Never once did she make a promise that she felt she could not keep and was very mindful about her choice of words with them.
Intelligence has been positively related to leadership and is inclusive of other qualities such as strong verbal skills, perceptual ability and reasoning (Northouse, 2016). Gruwell had difficulty teaching material to her students until she adjusted her approach in a strategic manner. When teaching her students poetry, she sought out lyrics from the popular rapper, Tupac Shakur, knowing that the majority of her students enjoy and relate to his music. From the very first moments that she taught this group of students, she noticed there was a racial division amongst them. Gruwell used a clever but subtle approach to unite them, an ice-breaker game where the questions asked progressively got more personal and classmates could relate to each other. She got them engaged in literacy by providing them with literature they could relate to, such as gang stories. She provided each student with a journal, where they could document, write and express themselves and their challenges in a healthy manner, but promised them that she would respect their privacy if they did not want her to read it.
The trait approach focuses on the innate characteristics possessed by an individual. It is evident that Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers (2007) has displayed a number of traits that many scholars have deemed to be leadership traits. She has exhibited self-confidence, determination, integrity and intelligence throughout the film.