Leadership Elements in Erin Brockovich

Leadership is more than someone saying 'FOLLOW ME!"?

As the film Erin Brockovich clearly shows, leadership includes the art of persuasion, the courage of one's convictions, and the determination to stay the course. As the real-life as well as the film Erin Brockovich reveals, leaders and leadership-may come from the most unusual backgrounds and experience. When one considers that "experience" is a vital component of leadership qualities, this doesn't mean that one has to graduate from law school, pass the bar, and set up a practice. "Experience is not just a matter of what events happen to you; it also depends on how you perceive those events" (Hughes et al, 2002, p. 51).

There is another important leadership value inherent in Erin Brockovich, which even her "boss" took a long time to comprehend: compassion. Frankly, we seldom see the legal professions as leaders. In fact, in the film it took some time fo

. . .
ney. As the case continues, as the participation of people increases and then sharply decreases, the self-reflection of Erin becomes, according to the text, a form of "double-loop learninga.a willingness to confront one's own views and an invitation of others to do so, too" (Hughes et al, 2002, p. 67). Here we see the conflict arising between Erin and George, her boyfriend. He is losing patience with the enormous time and effort Erin is expending, which means less time and attention given him. Double-loop learning really makes it more possible to confront the pluses and minuses of the situation. Not to be defeated by some of the minuses is Erin's strength, and the audience becomes more and more involved in what will happen, and how Erin and Ed will eventually succeed. Good leaders seldom, if ever, concede defeat, but look for alternatives. One such alternative for Erin is to convince Ed, her boss, to continue to fight- and yes, continue to spend expense money. "A boss, especially a very good one or a very bad one, can be a powerful catalyst for growth" (Hughes et al, 2002, p. 59). Erin obviously turns Ed from a recalcitrant and partially willing supporter, one who wavers when he sees no immediate positive result, to someone
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ed Masry, Erin Brockovich, Erin Ed, Thaues Question, Erin George, Masry Character, Liberties Union, Ginnett Curphy, Roach Behling, Erin Brockovich's, et al, ed masry, hughes et, hughes et al, al 2002, et al 2002, erin brockovich, leadership qualities, pro bono, film erin, al 2002 51, 2002 51, erin brockovich leadership, utility executives, ginnett curphy 2002,
Approximate Word count = 1980
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)