Learn leadership lessons from films

Since the first full-length feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang was released in 1906 on Boxing Day in Melbourne, films have become powerful tools to share untold stories and messages. The films listed below were made after extensive research and offered more than just entertainment. If you look closely, they are filled with leadership lessons. By analysing the characters in these films and their decisions, you can gain some valuable lessons and improve your leadership skills in the real world. So, join us today as we look at some iconic movies with insightful leadership lessons.

Never give up during tough times 

The film The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the true story of Christopher Gardner and his best-selling memoir about his struggles to raise his son and create a better life for them both. In the film, Will Smith portrays Chris Gardner and showcases one of the most important qualities of a great leader — perseverance. Even when faced with homelessness and struggling to make ends meet while raising his five-year-old son, he never gives up on his dream of becoming a successful stockbroker to turn their lives around. You should learn from his resilience and determination that no matter how tough things get, great leaders press on and remain focused on their goals. As a leader, you will have to face challenges that will test your limits, but if you stay focused and determined, you will emerge stronger and more capable. 

Master the art of delegation 

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the books of the same name written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is one of the best film series to watch for learning leadership lessons. The trilogy won seventeen out of thirty Academy Award nominations and touched on one of the most important aspects of leadership – the power of delegation. Gandalf, the powerful and wise wizard, understood that he could not destroy the One Ring on his own. That's why he recruited a diverse team of hobbits, dwarfs, elves, and humans to delegate tasks. Each member understood their strengths and weaknesses and took on different roles in the quest to defeat evil. As a leader, you must also identify these qualities within your team to delegate various tasks. You must trust your team members to handle tasks while you focus on the bigger picture. 

Motivate your team members 

In the film A Man Called Otto, Otto initially seems like a grumpy and isolated grandpa. But his persistent and very pregnant neighbour, Marisol, manages to  break through his hard exterior and recognises the good in him. She even makes him promise to teach her how to drive. During the driving lesson, Marisol is nervous and unsure of her abilities. Otto recognises that fear and motivates Marisol by reminding her of her own strength. He highlights how she has already accomplished incredible things, like moving to a different country and raising a family while being pregnant with her third child. His message is simple: if she can handle those responsibilities, there's nothing she can't achieve, including learning to drive. For you, this scene offers a valuable leadership lesson — when your team members doubt themselves, it's your job to remind them of their past successes and reassure them that they are capable of overcoming challenges. It'll help you to build their confidence and encourage them to achieve personal and organisational goals. 

Learn what not to do as a boss 

Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) in The Devil Wears Prada is the prime example of what not to do as a boss. Her authoritarian leadership style creates a toxic environment for not just her assistants, Emily and Andy, but everyone at the company, regardless of their department. People are scared to even stand in front of her or make a mistake. This film should be a cautionary tale for you that your micromanagement, intimidation, and lack of empathy will have negative consequences. Great leaders build positive workplace environments and cultures by listening to their teams. They understand the importance of balancing high expectations with encouragement and available resources. As a leader, you must practise empathy and clearly communicate your expectations and process to support your team instead of instilling fear. 

When it comes to leadership lessons, films offer such a rich, diverse, and vibrant way to improve your abilities and understanding. They take you on an adventure and teach you leadership skills that you can apply at your workplace. Whether you have to keep going during tough times, recruit a team you can trust and rely on, or nurture and mentor your team, films provide unique insights into what it means to be a great leader.  

The films mentioned above are only a few examples that you can watch to improve your leadership skills. There are many more for you to enjoy, and while films do give an insight into how to become a good leader, there’s always a little professional nudge needed from the experts. English Path offers leadership courses for working professionals to acquire leadership skills and pursue a similar role. If you feel like this is something that you wish to achieve, contact us to learn more about our Leadership Essentials course and how it can help you achieve your goals.