How Hilary Swank Showed Us All Servant Leadership
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If you're a Hilary Swank fan then you've probably seen the movie "Freedom Writers." I've seen the movie probably only about an 100 + times, you know.. nothing major! This has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child in elementary school, now you guys have me showing my age. Freedom writers til this day has a powerful impact on society today. This movie reminds me of the classic 1989 drama/teen film "Lean on Me" starring actor Morgan Freeman in a sense. Without spoiling the movie, which hopefully most of you guys should hav seen this amazing movie, Freedom writers is a powerful drama that was released in the year 2007. It dives into a challenging yet transformative journey of a teacher and students in a racially divided urban high school. Did I also mention that this film is based on a true story? Even though Hilary Swank is our on screen hero, Erin Gruwell is the real life hero behind this story. The movie was set in the 1990s, set in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, the movie captured how everyone was racially divided, where racial tensions and gang violence were rampant in schools. Hilary Swank (Gruwell) was assigned to a class of high school students that were were placed in a box and deemed as "unteachable."
Trailer for Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank
I related to this movie a lot as a child, growing up in Gary, Indiana we were automatically labeled as "incompetent" because of where we from. We didn't have much resources and we had a lot of hand me down books that were falling apart. We did the best with what we could. Our teachers were ok but nobody went to bat for us as far as Swank (Gruwell) did for her students. With the limited resources that we had a lot of students that were honor roll students.
Now, let's get into what we're really here for, I know you guys didn't want a movie synopsis and a sad story right?
Lets talk about what servant leadership is before we talk about how it is related to our on screen favorite teacher. Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and approach that emphasizes serving others, prioritizing their needs, and empowering them to reach their full potential. Instead of focusing solely on their own power, authority, or personal success, servant leaders are committed to the well being and development of their followers, team members, and the broader community. A servant leaders job is to empower and develop others, they empower their followers by providing support, guidance, and resources to help them succeed. They create opportunities for growth, learning, and skill development. They also respect to foster the trust of others. They create a culture of openness, transparency, and accountability where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Just as Hilary Swank (Gruwell) was for her class, she made she built the trust with her students because their trust within education system and the past educators that have failed them and have abandoned them. Swank (Gruwell) led her class with humility and integrity, as a servant leader leads by example, demonstrating humility, integrity, and ethical behavior in all interactions. They acknowledge their own limitations and mistakes and are willing to learn and grow. Even when trying to build her class up to their fullest potential she still had an outside life outside of teaching at the school. In the mist of her teaching her husband left her and wanted a divorce because of how much time she was devoting to those kids. Going through a divorce she still managed to make sure she did what she had to do when it came to her class. She was ok with losing her husband because she knew it was for the greater good and it helped her realize that he doesn't have compassion as she does for making change.
Servant leadership is not about weakness or passivity: rather, it is a powerful and transformative approach to leadership that focuses on serving others as a means of achieving collective goals and creating a positive impact in the world. It is applicable in various contexts, including business, education *cough cough*, nonprofit organizations, and government, and has been associated with higher levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and organizational performance.
Swank's character showed us all servant leadership in Freedom Writers. Swank (Gruwell) was a high school teacher that exemplified what a teacher should be. She used unconventional teaching methods to inspire and empower her students in that inner city school plagued by gang violence and racial tensions. There were many themes and principles of servant leadership that can be observed throughout the film:
Putting Others First: Hilary Swank (Erin Gruwell) consistently puts her students' needs and well-being above her own. She goes beyond her job description to understand their struggles, challenges, and aspirations, and works tirelessly to support and advocate for them.
Empathy and Compassion: Swank (Gruwell) demonstrates deep empathy and compassion for her students, recognizing the traumas and hardships they face outside the classroom. She listens to their stories, validates their experiences, and creates a safe and supportive environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Building Relationships: Swank (Gruwell) prioritizes building meaningful relationships with her students based on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. She takes the time to get to know each student as an individual, recognizing their unique strengths, talents, and potential.
Empowerment and Growth: Gruwell empowers her students to believe in themselves, set high expectations, and strive for excellence. She challenges them to think critically, express themselves creatively, and pursue their dreams, despite the obstacles they face.
Servant Leadership in Action: Throughout the film, Swank (Gruwell) demonstrates many qualities of a servant leader, including humility, integrity, courage, and a commitment to social justice. She leads by example, inspiring her students and colleagues to embrace the principles of empathy, compassion, and service.
In essence, "Freedom Writers" exemplifies the transformative power of servant leadership in education, showing how one individual's dedication, empathy, and belief in the potential of others can make a profound difference in the lives of those they serve. Through her servant leadership approach, Erin Gruwell not only transforms the academic performance of her students but also instills in them a sense of hope, resilience, and empowerment that transcends the classroom.
I think I'm about to go watch Freedom Writers for the 101st time. Blog ya later!
FYI: If you guys want to check out Freedom Writers if you haven't seen it, it's currently free to watch on Pluto TV. 😉
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