In my post yesterday, I asked for FC Now readers to mention some film characters, fiction or non-fiction, who embody strong leadership qualities.
The prolific NeoTheologue named Coach Herman Boone, immortalized in 2000's Remember the Titans. I couldn't agree more, Coach Boone had the courage and fortitude to lead when times were truly tough and clearly stacked against him.
Another FC Now reader, Jeff Fuchs, mentions two characters he sees as natural leaders.
First, Ernest Shackleton, intrepid explorer, who led his team through being stuck in ice for quite a long time. The fact that he wasn't eaten by his crew tells me he was doing something right.
Second, Fuchs mentions Colonel Nicholson, portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Great pick. Nicholson's character is natural leader who faced tough conditions and managed to keep a clear head and a sense of humor through it all.
Nicholson also has the interesting position of being one of the few leaders who didn't mind when his project became a train wreck.
Does anyone else have a character in mind?
Related Stories: | Topics:Leadership, Herman Boone, Jeff Fuchs, Entertainment, Movies, Movie Reviews |
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Recent Comments | 9 Total
August 19, 2003 at 12:16pm by Tom Asacker
Mel Gibson as William Wallace in Braveheart.
August 19, 2003 at 12:41pm by Frank Steele
Of course, Col. Nicholson is in many ways the flip side to T.E. Lawrence as presented in David Lean's other epic masterpiece, Lawrence of Arabia.
Nicholson is a tremendous technical leader, but loses sight of the biggest truth of all, that he's collaborating with the enemy, even to the point of exposing the Allied special forces that come to blow up the bridge.
Lawrence, on the other hand, has a lot of trouble with the day-to-day details of leadership (the seasonal desertions of his followers), but the truth of his message, that the Arabs should govern the Arabs, gives him power both as a leader and as a character.
I see Nicholson as a parallel with Col. Kurtz, from Apocalypse Now, a cautionary example of the dangers of strong leadership without a sound ethical framework.
August 19, 2003 at 3:07pm by NeoTheologue
Very insightful points, Frank -- thanks!
(I've often thought that Lawrence's book, "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is at least as applicable to business leadership as Sun Tzu's Art of War.)
I'm sure it says something about the seriousness of both FC and its readership that no one's mentioned Yoda, Aragorn, or any Star Trek captain yet. =)
August 19, 2003 at 3:17pm by Kevin O'Donovan
Well played, NeoTheologue. Now I'll have to think of a replacement for my planned post about how Jean-Luc Picard could have saved Enron. Sigh.
August 19, 2003 at 4:51pm by Rob
I think Gene Hackman's character in "Hoosiers" did a good job of developing leadership. I am thinking of how he got Shooter the drunk to help coach the team, then purposely got thrown out of a game to give Shooter the chance to shine.
August 20, 2003 at 5:26am by NeoTheologue
Sorry about that, Kevin. Maybe you could just wait until November, change your focus to Neo and Trinity, and ride the "Matrix Revolutions" wave.
Interesting how all of the films mentioned are either war films or sports films. Is that where all the inspiring leaders are?
August 20, 2003 at 6:57pm by Rob
Neo,
Would you rather see someone nominate John Holmes?Seriously though I think sports and war are good because you need teams and competition to lead. Drama and comedy just doesn't provide the opportunity. I guess drama could if they would make movies about business, but they don't do that too often. Maybe Fast Company should consider doing a movie with the same name...
August 21, 2003 at 8:08am by Jeff Fuchs
Rob, your observation about war and sports is right on target. When I searched for examples from other film genres, the going got tough. Someone suggested Norma Rae to me, but I haven't taken a look yet. I think the best examples are from war and sports because the issues critical to leadership (such as authenticity, values, perseverance, integrity, humanity) are in your face and unambiguous. It makes for good film.
August 22, 2003 at 12:44pm by Mac Robinson
The movie - Flight of the Phoenix - is a great study in change management. James Stewart is the natural leader as captain of his aircraft. When the plane crashes and they have to solve the problems of survival, the natural leadership of the group changes. The challenge to authority, the response of the leader challenged, the loyalty of the group members in the face of conflict and contested leadership, and the resolution make a great movie and a powerful lesson in leadership dynamics.