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Learning from Example: Great Leaders in Movies
by Lewis Robinson
Who hasn't aspired to be more like a character they've seen in a movie? Some of us want to be Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Others want to be John Wayne in "The Searchers." Or maybe we want to be Iron Man from "The Avengers." While these are all fun fantasies, most of us won't be stylish socialites, cowboys, or superheroes. On the other hand, most of us do work for managers, and many of us want to work our way up. While Hollywood has created some negative caricatures of business leaders, there are examples of exceptional managers in film. Here are a few that may inspire you.
Jules in "The Intern"
Let's start with a lesser-known movie that uses role reversal to highlight good management qualities. In 2015's "The Intern," Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway plays Jules, a young, sharp executive. Hollywood legend Robert DeNiro plays Ben, a widowed senior citizen who is looking for something new to do with his life. "The Intern" flips the script on the older male boss archetype and shows Ben interning for Jules. When we think of managers, we usually think of inspiring speakers like Jackie Summers or dictators like Mr. Burns from "The Simpsons." Jules is something different.
What makes Jules an inspiring manager is that she recognizes what Ben has to offer, overcomes or overlooks her preconceived notions, and gives opportunity to a skilled and talented employee. Others may have dismissed Ben out of hand. By giving him a shot, Jules demonstrates a valuable leadership trait: trust.
Gene Kranz in "Apollo 13"
Ron Howard's 1995 classic "Apollo 13" tells the suspenseful true story of a trip to the moon gone wrong. Ultimately, teamwork and sharp thinking enable the astronauts in space to survive. It's the mission control group at NASA in Houston, however, that guide them to safety from afar. That team is led by Gene Kranz, played by Ed Harris in a deservedly Oscar-nominated performance.
Gene is a no-nonsense manager. He's tough, but he's cool under intense pressure. His ability to ask the right questions, delegate the right tasks, and communicate effectively saved lives in "Apollo 13." Most managers don't have to face life-or-death situations, but these skills translate to any form of a workplace crisis.
Billy Beane in "Moneyball"
Moving from space to sports, Brad Pitt's charismatic turn as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane in 2011's "Moneyball" deserves a place on our list. Directed subtly but effectively by Bennett MIler from a screenplay co-written by Aaron Sorkin, "Moneyball" is the unlikely sports story that focuses on the front office more than the field. To boost his struggling team, Beane enlists a statistician to find undervalued players which he, in turn, recruits by negotiating trades.
It may not sound exciting, but somehow it is. This is due in large part to Pitt's sensitive and confident performance of Beane, portraying him as a sympathetic ex-Major League prospect who knows what he's doing and how to persuade people in a genuine, non-manipulative way. This ultimately pays great dividends to everyone in the organization.
Tess McGill in "Working Girl"
When we think of movies about business, it's hard to not gravitate towards the 1980s. While there are many business-themed classics featuring yuppies, big hair, and corporate excess, Mike Nichols' 1988 masterpiece "Working Girl" injects a sensitivity, soul, and realism missing from many cartoonish Reagan-era offerings.
Melanie Griffith plays Tess McGill, who spends the majority of the movie under the harsh reign of the sublime Sigourney Weaver's Katherine Parker. Tess wants to climb the corporate ladder, but she is principled at heart and wants to succeed on her merits. The film deftly navigates her journey, but at the very end, Tess finds herself in a position of leadership. She expertly explains her relatable management philosophy, showing she's learned what to do (and not to do) over her years of hard work.
Movies are by their nature inspirational and larger than life. So are the managers on this list. That said, learning from their examples could help you on your journey to leadership.
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