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productivity. Charlotte was motivated by a sense of duty to Wilbur based on their friendship and
driven by a desire to protect and guide him as well as to share her remarkable web-weaving skills
for others to see. She included many of the animals in the barn to help with her strategies to save
Wilbur, including Templeton, the rat, who was instrumental in searching for special words for
Charlotte to weave.
5. Decision-making: Leaders are responsible for making sound, rational, and solid decisions that
benefit the organization. This can involve making difficult decisions, even if they may not align
with the overall benefit of others. Decision-making often occurs under pressure, requiring leaders
to evaluate options and choose the best course of action. Charlotte did not know all the answers
needed to “save” Wilbur’s life, but she invested her time and decision-making skills to plan
accordingly.
6. Conflict management: Leaders should be skilled in managing and resolving conflicts that arise
within teams or organizations. By effectively addressing conflicts, leaders can prevent them from
negatively impacting productivity and engagement. Charlotte provided emotional support for
Wilbur and resolved conflict among the animals by allowing them to express concerns in their
roles to help Wilbur.
7. Negotiation: Effective leaders understand the importance of communication and negotiation in
reaching mutually beneficial outcomes. They strive for win-win solutions where both parties
involved feel satisfied with the agreement reached. The animals contributed to each other’s well-
being by sharing resources or skills. With Charlotte’s web-weaving skills, she not only saved
Wilbur’s life but also gained recognition and respect for her talents of weaving.
8. Critical thinking: Critical thinking is a vital skill for leaders, enabling them to think clearly, make
logical connections, and consider various perspectives. It involves identifying issues, exploring
potential options, and making informed decisions that lead to the best possible outcomes.
Throughout the book, Charlotte tackled obstacles and considered alternative solutions.
These leadership roles and skills are essential for leaders to navigate complex and dynamic environments,
inspire their teams, and drive organizational success. Charlotte’s active listening skills demonstrated the
importance of being empathetic and attentive to nonverbal cues and of asking clarifying questions. These
qualities enable effective communication, build trust, and create an environment where everyone feels
heard and understood. Incorporating active listening and empathy into one’s leadership style can enhance
relationships, promote collaboration, and inspire others to share their thoughts and ideas more freely.
Charlotte’s servant leadership mindset and guidance, creative problem-solving, relationship
building, and inspirational influence demonstrated how leadership skills can emerge from
unexpected places. Charlotte emphasized that effective leadership was not determined by one’s
status or position but rather by one’s actions, mindset, and ability to impact and serve others
positively.
To be a servant leader in your organization, let Charlotte, the spider, be a role model
as you dedicate your time, energy, and resources to support, encourage, and recognize
others.

Dr. Phyllis J. Broughton is retired Dean of Academic and Student Affairs from Martin Community
College, Williamston, North Carolina. Currently Teaching Assistant Professor of Adult Education in
the College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, she is a member and
current chapter president (2022–2024) of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of North Carolina State
Organization. broughtonp@ecu.edu; pbrought123@gmail.com

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