Some movies stay with us forever. Perhaps it’s because they make our allergies act up (it’s just dust in my eye, I’m not crying!). Perhaps it’s because they inspire us to be our best selves. I collected five movies that I think do a great job of teaching us how to be great leaders.
1. Remember the Titans
Julius and Gerry team up after not really liking each other, and then create an amazing football team. In this movie, we witness:
- changed leadership
- diversity
- modelling the way vision
- trust
- humility
These factors are great to point out to aspiring leaders. Being a leader isn’t always the easiest job, but with hard work comes an amazing opportunity.
via GIPHY
2. Gandhi
I feel like this is self-explanatory but, Gandhi is an amazing leader. Through his vision of the world and fighting for what he believed in, he showed these great skills through:
- vision
- modelling the way
- courage
- determination
- sacrifice
- selflessness
He is one of my role models and someone whose story I think everyone should get to know and understand.
3. Dead Poet’s Society
This is a beautiful movie. Dead Poet’s Society shows that leaders don’t always follow the established rules. Sometimes you must break the rules in order to change outdated or ineffective thinking.
4. Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan explores the idea that sometimes you face difficult situations. In fact, you must confront your fears head-on instead of running away.
5. Forrest Gump
Lastly, Forrest Gump shows us that the hardest person to lead is yourself. Gump’s positive outlook, practical insights, making the most of every situation, and unconditional love for others are great examples of self leadership.
Through these five amazing movies, we learn and understand a lot of what it takes to be a leader. While these Hollywood examples may be a little extreme, they illustrate that leadership is not always the easiest thing. Being a leader is an amazing opportunity. Honestly, sometimes leaders don’t even know they are showing leadership. They are just living their day to day lives in a way that comes naturally to them.
Challenge: Go out into this world and be the best leader you can be. What do you have to loose?
Until next time, have a great day!
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Remember the Titans and Ghadhi sources were modified from www.movieleadership.com; Dead Poets Society and Saving Private Ryan were modified from paulsohn.org; Forrest Gump was modified from briandoddonleadership.com.
