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Viewpoint

the following:
1. Transformational leadership fosters and supports individual growth, provides constructive
feedback, and promotes a collaborative and trusting environment among team members.
2. Servant leadership is based on the concept of serving others as the priority. (Greenleaf, 2002). It
takes into consideration serving others’ needs first. Servant leaders have a deep commitment to
listening and being empathetic to others.
3. Visionary leadership emphasizes connecting individuals with a common vision and facilitating
effective communication for collaboration. This type of leader employs the diverse talents and
skills of other members to achieve strategic goals.
4. Shared leadership emphasizes a shared vision, encourages input, provides recognition, and solves
problems. It includes all members to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization.
Based on this previous research, I realized that servant leadership—with its emphasis on listening and
being empathetic—seemed to best describe Charlotte, the spider. Servant leadership is a desire to lead by
serving others as a means of supporting the success of an organization and its members. By serving others
and prioritizing their needs, leaders can create a supportive and empowering environment that promotes
growth and achievement for the members as well as the organization. Accordingly, my goal in this article
is to identify the relevance and connection of servant leadership—as portrayed by Charlotte, the spider—
with today’s leadership landscape.
As I revisited Charlotte’s Web, I noted the numerous leadership skills exemplified by Charlotte and
how these skills demonstrate servant leadership. Charlotte is a leader as she focuses on so many decisions
to benefit Wilbur, the pig, and others. Throughout the book, she demonstrates servant leadership by serving
others and putting their needs first.
The integration of essential leadership skills as noted by Greenleaf (2002) and Focht (2014) highlights
the foundational principles of leadership. According to Greenleaf, “Servant Leadership originates from
the innate desire to serve others and prioritize their
needs” (2002, p. 7). Focht’s (2014) key servant
leadership characteristics include (a) valuing others,
(b) humility, (c) listening, (d) trusting, and (e) caring.
I used the characteristics from these two key authors
to connect to Charlotte’s servant leadership skills.
Charlotte exemplifies these skills through the
following:
1. Valuing others: Charlotte prioritizes Wilbur’s
well-being and goes above and beyond to save
him from being slaughtered. She selflessly
uses her own skills and resources to protect
him. She provides opportunities to recognize
Wilbur in a positive way with her web-
weaving skills with the words “SOME PIG,”
“TERRIFIC,” “RADIANT,” and “HUMBLE”
(White, 1952).
2. Humility: Charlotte does not think about her
own importance but focuses on the needs of
others and identifies with Wilbur’s need for
friendship and support. She takes it upon
herself to be his friend, offering encouragement Balancing Act © Photograph by Angela Tomlinson,
and advice throughout the story. DC; Spring 2021 Art Gallery

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