Albert Einstein is famous for saying "no problem is ever solved in the plane of its original conception."
All too often most articles or thought leaders usually point to very literal sources about management or organizational strategy to solve their specific issues.
In regards to leadership, the irony is that most prominent professionals eschew direct leadership books for more esoteric knowledge that might translate to their specific field. For example, a famous book about military strategy written by a 5th century Chinese general.
If corporate leaders bearing nothing but pens, briefcases, and slide decks can learn from generals pontificating on the perfect way to end a war about how to better lead in the office, why not look towards another unlikely source of inspiration?
Such as...fiction.
Yes, the make-believe. Great leadership and mentorship in service of protagonists across film, literature and poetry have provided insight for years; consider Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, and Athena (Homer).
While fiction for many people may simply be an escape or something that lasts as long as it takes to consume, it makes great use of metaphor. From Einstein to C.S. Lewis, “metaphors and similes help us think more deeply – and make sense of the world around us.”
We will be using film as the fictional point of reference to demonstrate leadership. I know you may have been hoping it would be Inside Out since metaphors factor heavily in it, but instead will be looking at Star Wars: A New Hope, The Lion King, and Batman Begins.
Each of these stories contain figures who express individual cardinal virtues that rouse the protagonist into greatness, which we can extract into our workplaces to become better leaders.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s sacrifice in Star Wars: A New Hope, stands as maybe one of the top three moments in all of Star Wars. The scene involves Obi-Wan heading towards the terminal on the deathstar to disable the power beam, only to find himself face-to-face with his former apprentice and current pupil Luke Skywalker’s father, Anakin Skywalker. Also known as Darth Vader.
Obi-Wan, prior to this encounter, insists he go alone while urging Luke, Han and Chewbacca to stay back. Even though Luke protests his mentor’s decision, Obi-Wan assures him things will be fine as long as he believes in the force. While Obi-Wan ultimately meets his end at Darth Vader’s hand, his impact is so strong on Luke, whose master’s voice guides him in destroying the Death Star.
None of this happens however, without Obi-Wan taking that courageous step to protect his crew in the first place though. Showing, instead of instructing Luke, on what it means to be a Jedi.
Thankfully in the business world, well most, don’t deal with lightsabers and storm troopers. Still, leading is no less difficult. One of the best ways to instill a similar effect of inspiration that Obi-Wan had on Luke, is instead of eschewing only through words a company’s values or even what constitutes quality work, it helps to demonstrate this in as clear and concrete ways as possible.
Former Head of Corporate Marketing at Asana, Stephanie Hess, said “I never ask my team to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself.” Stephanie illuminates further on this by describing how she would fill in on projects for teammates taking out time for themselves, as this tends to lead to a greater increase in employee empowerment and trust.
And this also goes beyond just doing your team members’ work. Obviously that can lead, if done carelessly, to a form of micromanaging. There is an opportunity to be creative and go outside the box.
Take Virgin Group owner Sir Richard Branson, who literally went outside the box, planet Earth in this case, into space with a professional space crew as part of their Virgin Galactic campaign. I hope Sir Branson knows that the Death Star was fiction. But his willingness to do such a thing, while no need to imitate unless you choose so, is probably the peak example of showing rather than saying.
Power is an essential part of managerial and leadership roles. Its mismanagement however, can inevitably lead to a severe dip in employee morale, satisfaction and retention. Leading with honor, integrity and vulnerability in spite of power, are qualities we can learn from animation’s greatest father/mentor figure: Lion King’s Mufasa.
There’s a great line Simba quips to his father Mufasa after he is done getting reprimanded for venturing into the forbidden part of the kingdom where the hyenas lie.
“I guess even kings get scared, huh?” Simba says to his father.
Although Simba is Mufasa’s son, he is also the heir to the throne, which Mufasa is well aware of. Mufasa understands that every word and lesson he imparts onto his son, is a word towards how the kingdom will look like in the future. While being vulnerable may seem like a prerequisite in being a father, as someone training the next king it is an intentional choice on what one thinks is the best way to mold someone. So before you write off this example as a treatise on fatherhood, think again.
Throughout Lion King, Mufasa vacillates between controlled aggression and vulnerability. In the above example he goes from ferociously fighting off the hyenas, to then showing disappointment, yet also deep concern for his son. Even the hyenas, though mocking Mufasa behind his back, laud his incredible presence. With his court advisor Zazu, Mufasa playfully jokes around him, but also shows a great deal of respect. The entire kingdom seems to love and respect Mufasa and it is because he is humble, strong and void of arrogance though he is the king.
In a Grand Canyon University article, Professor Lisa Duryee writes on the various forms of power. Referent Power, according to Duryee, is the most important and “simply put…is the power a leader achieves due to their ability to inspire others.”
This referent power shows up in the film when Simba comes out of his depression and avoidance of the throne solely because the memory of his father inspires him to reclaim Pride Rock.
Take a look at Scar though, who after killing his brother Mufasa, causes the kingdom to rapidly deteriorate under a power-hungry reign leaving its citizens out to dry, literally. Scar’s only concern throughout the film was gaining power and doing nothing with it except holding it.
Scar’s method of leadership can be seen as Coercive Power. This is a form of leadership that occurs in the workplace where leaders use the threat of punishment and other ultimatum-style methods of getting tasks done.
Though there is a time and place - emphasize that once more - for coercive power, such as when employees are harassing other colleagues, most of the time this style of power leads to immense strains on mental health that can lead to burnout.
So if you have a choice, better to be Mufasa than ‘scar’ your employees long term.
All throughout Bruce Wayne’s life, he pitted the blame of his parents’ death on the mugger who pulled the trigger. He’d have been more than justified to think that way his entire life.
Until Ra’s Al Ghul showed up that is and shifted the blame from the mugger onto Bruce lacking ‘the will to act.’
It is a very radical shift of thinking for Bruce and us as audience members. But even during their first meeting in a jail cell where Bruce is trying to learn the inner workings of criminals, Ra’s Al Ghul knew who Bruce Wayne was before Bruce knew who he was. Catering his communication as specifically as possible to get Bruce to join The League of Shadows. Even when Bruce trains with Ra’s, he learns that Ra’s too once had a loved one who was lost to violence.
You could absolutely interpret this as manipulative, though in my opinion Ra’s teachings, through a sensible lens, can offer a few out-of-the-box ways of thinking about leadership.
Ra’s mostly in teaching and guiding Bruce does so by challenging his normative way of thinking, and catering this delivery based on Bruce’s personality. l
In business, people/employees usually like similar-minded folks who deliver information in a way that is natural to how they process things. This can mean, for example, someone who is more analytical-based would probably appreciate a more data-centric approach to how you communicate towards them.
Also realize, this may seem trivial, but according to HBR, “developing the ability to adapt your style to meet the needs of your team will help to create a positive workplace culture that motivates your team to work together for common goals.”
Not only do you avoid the chance of turnover and burnout, but poor communication as of June 2023, “costs businesses in the U.S. $12,000 per employee.”
So you might be wondering which of these three you might be? Worksense AI can mine your unique communication style in leadership situations and provide real-time insights on where your skills might be best applied.
If done correctly, you could be the reason why a Luke Skywalker walks through your door one day and decides to do their best work to date.
May you have the sense and foresight to do so.