One of the best exponents of Kouzes and Posner’s leadership behaviour of ‘model the way’ is surely Nelson Mandela. Both Invictus and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom illustrate this as Mandela overcomes his personal feelings of bitterness and anger to model the behaviours needed to create a new South Africa: forgiveness… Read More »How Bridge of Spies can help you ‘model the way’
A lot has been said about Nelson Mandela’s legacy since his sad passing in December. And with opportune timing, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom arrives to attempt to capture the essence of Mandela’s character and impact. While Invictus – one of my top 10 leadership movies – dealt with a… Read More »Three characteristics that made Mandela a legend
There are many ‘good’ companies, but few that are ‘great’. In leadership terms, what makes the difference? Jim Collins’ business bestseller Good to Great outlines two key characteristics of what he calls ‘level five leaders’: those with the capacity to lead not just good companies, but great ones. Collins and his… Read More »From good to great: level five leaders
Watching Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, it’s striking how little America seems to have changed politically in 150 years. Two diametrically opposed ideologies still lie separated by a narrow middle ground. Similarly, it’s distinctive how relevant Abraham Lincoln’s leadership is for our contemporary world. Here are five lessons from Lincoln’s struggle to… Read More »Lead like Lincoln: leadership lessons from honest Abe
Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this, ever in flesh and blood, walked upon this Earth. Albert Einstein Of all great leaders through history, there can be few to match the aura that surrounds Mohandas K Gandhi, the Indian spiritual leader and subject of Richard… Read More »Lead like Gandhi: one trait every leader should learn
Our values govern the way we behave. And as a leader, you can gain respect quickly by consistently acting in line with your personal and organisational values. George Clooney’s Good Night and Good Luck is in many ways a film about values. It dramatises the CBS broadcaster Edward R Murrow’s… Read More »Values-based leadership: Good Night and Good Luck
Many organisations have a vision and values, but only in the best does that vision truly galvanise its people and result in better performance. Why? Because often that vision either isn’t compelling enough, or leaders fail to act consistently with the goal they have set out. In Mel Gibson’s stirring though… Read More »Why Braveheart’s clarity of vision can help every leader
While Coach Carter received little attention on its original UK release, it’s full of powerful leadership lessons. The story of Ken Carter, who returns to coach basketball at his former school, is based on true events. Rather than simply improving the team’s results, Carter truly believes he can improve his students’ lives.… Read More »Four powerful leadership lessons from Coach Carter