Leading from Within – A Servant Leadership Scenario

Lainee Meyers

Scenario 

Imagine a high school principal, Ms. Sanders, who has recently been appointed to a small,  underfunded, and struggling school in a low-income community. The school, previously known for high dropout rates and low morale, was on the brink of closure when Ms. Sanders arrived. Instead of imposing strict top-down changes, she chooses to adopt a servant leadership approach.

Case Development

From the beginning, Ms. Sanders prioritized listening to her staff and students. She held regular open forums where teachers, students, and even parents could voice their concerns. Through active listening, she learned that many of her students were dealing with challenging home environments, which made it hard for them to focus on their studies.

Ms. Sanders also demonstrated empathy by setting up a counseling program, where students could receive not only academic support but also emotional and psychological counseling. One student, Emily, who had been dealing with family issues, expressed how the program helped her stay in school and regain confidence.

To foster community building, Ms. Sanders initiated service-learning projects where students participated in activities that benefited their local neighborhood. Students worked together to create a community garden, which provided fresh produce for the community and allowed students to take ownership of the project.

Ms. Sanders believed in the potential of each student. She was committed to their growth, ensuring they had opportunities to explore their interests and talents. She arranged extracurricular programs in music, arts, and technology to support student growth in diverse areas.

She also applied foresight by using data to anticipate challenges, such as budgeting shortfalls and low parent involvement. She proactively partnered with local organizations and businesses to secure funding for after-school programs.

Lastly, she practiced stewardship by taking full responsibility for her role, not just as an administrator but as a community servant. Her primary goal was not merely to improve test scores but to ensure that each student developed as a whole person. Over the course of two years, the school saw remarkable improvement—not just academically but also in student engagement and morale.

Questions for Discussion

1. How did Ms. Sanders’ approach reflect the principles of servant leadership?
2. What were the key outcomes of her leadership style for the school community?
3. In what ways could Ms. Sanders improve her leadership approach?
4. How might Ms. Sanders' leadership style change if she were to adopt a more authoritarian approach? What would the impact be?

Author Bio

Lainee Meyers is a passionate advocate for social justice, with over ten years of experience in direct homeless services and public administration. While working full-time and pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Northern Iowa, Lainee focuses on addressing systemic inequalities in housing, healthcare, and environmental justice. Known for strong skills in empathy, communication, and strategic thinking, they bring a deep commitment to equity and inclusion to both their professional and academic roles. A Utah native, Lainee finds balance through the outdoors, books, podcasts, and time spent with their two dogs.

License

This case study is licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.