POPCORN LEADERSHIP - The Greatest Leadership Movies of All Time
"Popcorn leadership is easy—just find a great movie on leadership at the theatre, buy some popcorn for twelve dollars or whatever it costs these days, and sit down and learn. Or rent one of the greatest leadership movies of all time, microwave some popcorn and learn (while being entertained of course.)..." Click here for more
Click below to comment or to submit an addition to the list--your favorite leadership movies that isn't shown here.
Labels: Leadership
46 Comments:
Thanks to Dennis Jackson, Dan Ward, Peter Yoshonis & my Dad, Keith, for submitting several movies before I had completed the article. Great ideas, guys!
I hope others will join in as we build this list.
-David
FYI - I've noted those that submitted movies on the master list.
I'll be gone all week on a cruise, so I'll check back to see what suggestions are here when I return.
Here's one - Star Wars Episodes 1 thru 3. Even though Palpatine is the bad guy, it's clear as the story unfolds that he had vision AND patience to see is accomplished. There is the implication that perhaps he was involved with the immaculate conception of Anakin. He was somehow involved in the ordering of the Clone Army. He manipulated both sides of the conflict to create a win-win for himself. And he was willing to wait 20+ years for his vision to pass. Putting aside the evil intentions and results, I learned the necessity of vision and perseverance over a really long haul if it something you believe in.
Now, if he could have only gotten saved, he could have led the greatest church planting movement in the galaxy. ;-)
I'll add one for the following reasons:
1. How "the people" fill the box labeled "leader" with their own dreams, vision and desires, while expecting the leader to "pay the price" for them.
2. How when such a leader "becomes authentic" and falls to be an ordinary person these same followers reject the leader.
3. How an institution (even the church) works to line up the fringe person to behave average.
4. And how a leader can be trapped by their own image--finally leading to their own demise.
The movie: Cool Hand Luke.
(Musical version the ENTERTAINER by Billy Joel)
The Matrix.
While teaching Neo about the Matrix during a training simulation Morpheous tells Neo, "I can only show you the door, you have to walk through it."
Later on Morpheous takes Neo to see the Oracle and says to him just outside the door to the Oracles apartment, "remember; I can only show you the door, you have to walk through it."
I think this is a great analogy for sharing your faith with others. We can only show others Jesus through our words and our actions... they have to choose to follow Him.
Derek
I'm surprised you don't list "Hoosiers" under sports movies. This seems to be the standard movie for cheesy leadership training seminars. I have twice (in differnet venues) sat through the same chopped up "condensed" version that only shows Gene Hackman running drills with the guys and eliminates all vestige of a story-line. ...So, I'm not necessarily advocating the movie--excpet by virtue of common pracice. It does seem to be part of the general training lexicon.
One of my favorite leadership movies of all time is "Mr. Holland's Opus" -- the story of a man who spends his life investing in others but doesn't realize until the end of his career the impact he has made. The lesson: while we're "doing" leadership, the most profound influence we have may be deeper than anything we can possibly measure.
Hey there, posters. Thanks for your engagement here in adding a few great movies to the list. You're right... those are omissions and I'll add them ASAP.
Matt -- yes that Emperor/Anakin dynamic was a facinating one in Star Wars Episodes 1-3 (Submitted by Matt Guthrie)
Dad/Keith -- Cool Hand Luke should definately be there for the reasons you cite (Submitted by Keith Drury)
Derek -- The Matrix makes the list for sure... yes... (Submitted by Derek Bethay)
Dennis -- I forgot completely about Mr H.O. Good catch. Yes... Mr. Holland's Opus (Submitted by Dennis King)
Dewing -- (is this Randy Dewing???) I agree that Hoosiers is used a ton, and because of your unenthusiastic suggestion and it's overuse... I'm NOT going to post it. :-) (Not submitted by Dewing)
I'm thinking of adding Finding Forrester myself too. :-)
EVERYONE = keep adding to the list... what other movies should make the list for leaders to watch? Why?
Okay, all...
I posted up the additions you put here. Keep adding to the list.
Thanks for contributing!
David
Don't forget the best leadership movie of all time - We Were Soldiers - Lt Colonel Hal Moore is a stud!
Takas
School of Rock
Bug's Life
Takas - great to see you at the Jo Anne Lyons lunch. Good to catch up. We Were Soldiers makes the list... I've heard about it but haven't seen it yet.
Hey Anon - why School of Rock and Bug's Life? I've seen both but need more reason why they'd make the list for leaders.
P.S.: Best line in School of Rock: "We've been studying classical composers such as Bethooven, Bach... and... Enya."
(Added on 27 Nov 2006: We Were Soldiers, Schindler’s List)
I can't believe I left Schindler's List off the first time. Just thought of it this morning.
-DD
I would happily support the move to include School of Rock. it's all about team building, helping people find their proper place in the organization, proper motivation as a leader, being willing to give leadership and credit away, and taking risks.
I am frankly shocked and appalled that Braveheart isn’t on this list. That movie is a master class on vision casting and about 30 other things.
For sure, Braveheart should be on it. I'm not a Braveheart junkie like many are... but it definately belongs on the list.
Thanks for your support of School of Rock too... good to get a rationale.
Keith Drury and I might be the only two people in the world that actually saw "Conspiracy." Good choice. A dry movie for anyone that enjoys more than two scenes but I enjoyed it tremendously, if just for the character study.
What about the Godfather? For Michael Corleone, it was all about development of a leader.
- Justin J. Nierer
War Movie - The Great Escape
How can we forget about one of the greatest war movies of all time? The whole thing is about leadership, sacrifice, relationship building, goal setting, anymore illustrations and John Maxwell would have sued for copyright infringement.
- Justin J. Nierer
Yes... Godfather should likely make the list... even for the dark side of leadership.
And the Great Escape is a glaring omission. I'll add both on the next update.
-David
Sports movie: Bull Durham -- on moving from doing oneself to teaching others --Dvd Avins
Not a movie, but the West Wing series has endless lessons in 360 leadership, esp. via Bartlett, Leo and Josh. Political situations are ripe with insight on how to lead by influence (since you can't make other people's decisions for them).
Hey everyone... I added up several of the submissions here today (2 Feb 07).
Thanks for the contributions...
FYI - John, I didn't put up West Wing as I'm trying to limit this to movies for now. Perhaps a "Leadership Television" list needs to start? There's a lot of material there.
What about Glory? The Matthew Broderick character shows some leadership skills such as doing what is right even though unpopular in commanding the black soldiers.
Another couple of war movies are about famous American generals - Patton and MacArthur. Obviously these men were great leaders in times of war in our country's history.
I was looking at your list of leadership movies for a program I'm running at a middle school, but I recently watched an amazing documentary about leadership that is entertaining and an amazing story. It's called The Endurance, and it's about Ernest Shackelton, who attempted to cross Antarctica with a crew of about 25 men in the 1910s. He ran into a couple of major disasters, but the lengths he went to in order to get his crew back home safely are astounding. In any case, it's not a well-known movie, but it's definitely worth having on your list.
Glory and "The Endurance" should both make the list.
I'll add to the next update.
dd
Don't know if many have seen it, but if not, you should: TO END ALL WARS. Great movie, based on the incredible story of the prisoners who built the bridge over the Kwai River in WWII. Their true freedom coming as they are willing to forgive their enemies, and sacrifice for one another. Based on the true story of Earnest Gordon. Remarkable story and also a book. Oh and Kiefer Sutherland is in it...somewhat un-Jack Bauer like though. Screenplay was written by a guy named Brian Godawa...Who also has a book called "Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment."(IVP) Good book, if a couple years dated in terms of movies analyzed. Great resource if you like doing movie discussion stuff.(P.S. Sorry for the overly long and wordy response)
wow... i love these movies. part of my leadership degree was watching some of these movies! it was fun watching them for leadership qualities. here are some that i can think of:
Crimson Tide : two different forms of leadership going on with Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman.
Glory : we watch this movie in class from a leadership perspective on how to build relationship through self-sacrifice - not asking those who you lead to do something you won't do yourself.
King Arthur : i'm talking about the one with Clive Owen. i love this movie for the leadership aspect of King Arthur. you see integrity, relationship, and of skills. as far as leadership is concern, this is one of my favorites!
Luther : we saw the most recent one with Joseph Finnes. this one we saw for integrity, identity, intimacy, and intensity of a leader.
i hope these are good choices also.
Here are a few more recommendations that I haven't seen on the list, the first two of which I have already used in my regular "town hall" meetings with my IT organization (750 people):
- "Walk the Line": Story of the life of Johnny Cash. I used only one clip in this movie. It is where Johnny goes to Sun Records, meets Sam Phillips, and auditions. Sam gives him a good 2-minute monologue on "believing in yourself" - great message.
- "Flight of the Phoenix": I personally prefer the original with Jimmy Stewart, but for my younger organization, I used the remake with Dennis Quaid. Some great clips in the movie on teamwork and Quaid's development as a leader.
- "Thirteen Days": Story of the Cuban missile crisis. Ideal for addressing managers in your organization and discussing how decisions are made and decision-making styles.
Hope these help,
- TSM.
12 O'clock High You will learn more from this movie about leadership than in any book. It is used in several MBA programs nationwide.
Coach Carter?
The list is bogus without Twelve o Clock High. It is such a no brainer. It's old, it's black and white, and it's a war movie, but just focus on the behaviors demonstrated and there's nothing better!
you should add "The Dirty Dozen" to the list of war movies... Lee Marvin's conversion of 12 prisoners displays all of the principles of leadership, informal leadership, motivation, communications, etc.
Twelve O'clock High
It marries nicely with Kouzes and Posner's "Leadership Challenge"
Model the Way
Inspire a shared Vision
Challenge the Process
Enable Others to Act
Encourage the Heart
It was voted as the most influential movie on Leadership (by managers) in a USA Today poll a few years ago.
Matthew Stalker
Management Development Specialist
Band of Brothers
Coach Carter
Glory Road
Crimson Tide - struggle between two leaders and their styles
One of my favorite leadership movies is "Drumline"! You can get the best leadership quotes from that movie!! Watch it with paper and pencil!!
Sports movies, I just recently watched Facing the Giants, I think its really amazing how the failing coach gets together whatever raw material he has, using the principles from the bible turns it into a winning team.
Rebound is also alright, comedy movie but some scenes really exhibit principles of leadership/
I lately watched (for the second time)the movie "Men of Honor". I think it is a great integrity, persistence, and self confidence. the three main ingredients of leadership. the movie is worth your consideration to be on the list. you are doing a great job. I appreciate your efforts. God bless, tnx
john Kaninya
While your list is good, it is lacking one major thing: WOMEN!!!! A majority of leaders in movies do happen to be men, which can be kind of discouraging to girls and women. Please include Courage Under Fire on your list. This movie's heroine exemplifies bravery, integrity and selflessness. Throw us girls a bone!
I feel these should be included in your list
Akheele Bee
Color Purple
Great Pretenders
Last Samari
Holiday
the last castle
gladiator
any given sunday
john q
all of the ocean movies
Get all these movies and more as clips on a DVD at LeadershipInTheMovies.com
I am looking for outstanding films (or just ONE) to use in a new course on Global Leadership. Some themes would be: thinking and acting globally, diversity, tech savvy, partnerships, vision. I am open to suggestions!
Try LeadershipInTheMovies.com for several DVD's with clips. They get you out of the copyright issues!
As a great leadership movie, I would add, "Endurance" the incredible and true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the survival of his entire crew after a failed voyage to the Antarctic.
I propose Mona Lisa Smile as a mentor movie. This list is sadly lacking female representation.
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