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Leadership and Power
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The wicked leader is he who
people despise The good leader is he who
people revere
The great leader is he who people say we did it ourselves
Lao Tsu |
Topics
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 | Trait Theories of Leadership |
| Behavioral and Contingency Theories of Leadership |
| Transactional vs. Transformational Leadership |
| Sources of Power |
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Readings
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Lecture Notes
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Video Picks
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| There are several movies that illustrate the importance of
leadership and the differences in leadership styles and the differences between
transactional and transformational leadership. A few of my personal favorites include: |
| 12 Angry Men (1957) directed by Sidney
Lumet with an all star cast including Henry Fonda, Jack Klugman, E. G. Marshall,
and Ed Begley: Movie tells the story about one man on a jury who hesitates to condemn a
man who then proceeds to lead the jurors to betray their own prejudices and re-examine the
facts. The movie received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and
Best (Adapted) Screenplay. |
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Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) staring William
Holden and Alec Guinness: Movie tells the story of how British P.O.W.s in Burma
during WW II are forced by their Japanese captors to construct a crucial bridge, while a
commando team is dispatched to destroy it. The film highlights the importance of
leadership in organizing the completion of a complex task and motivating individuals who
have little reason to be motivated. The movie is the winner of 7 Academy Awards
including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Alec Guinness, and Best (Adapted)
Screenplay. |
| Braveheart (1995) staring Mel Gibson:
An epic, action-filled retelling of the saga of the legendary 13th-century Scottish
hero William Wallace (Braveheart). Devoted to his country and to revenge, Wallace rallies
the Scots against the tyrannical British monarch Edward I to win freedom for his people.
It is an excellent illustration of a charismatic or transformational leader. It also
illustrates how leadership can be exerted by individuals without formal authority.
The movie won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director--Mel Gibson, and Best
Cinematography. |
| Patton (1970) staring George C Scott and
Karl Malden: The movie tells the tale of General Patton tracing his personal
rivalry with Romel, his problematic treatment of his own men and his nearly runaway
contempt for diplomacy. The movie is an excellent
illustration of a classic autocratic or transactional leader. The movie also touches
on issues related to accountability and bureaucratic control. The movie 8 Academy
Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--George C. Scott, Best (Adapted)
Screenplay--Francis Ford Coppola/Edmund H. North. |
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| In
addition to these movies you can also find a number of excellent films that are
biographies of leaders such as MacArthur (1977), Truman (1995), and Malcolm X (1992). |
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