Analysis of Movie Braveheart

Presentation by: Joanne Mihaly

Braveheart is a 1995 ‘historical’ drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. Gibson portrays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scottish in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. Directed by: Mel Gibson Screen Play: Randal Wallace

View two minute clip below to watch an overview of the movie content http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBXBtORI7pE

Situation and Situational Charismatic

Transformational Authentic Leadership

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“persons who are leaders in one situation may not necessarily be leaders in other situations” (Zaccaro, 2007,p. 65).

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leaders can be effective across situations demanding very different leadership approaches (Zaccaro, 2007).

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Zaccaro, 2007, explains that ‘the situation’ is critical in

explaining variance in leadership behavior; however, it may not be as critical in explaining differences between leaders and nonleaders. Trait perspectives of leadership need to account for the role of situational variance.

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Leadership role

Situational Leadership 

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Were his ‘followers’ able and willing to perform the tasks put forth? Were his expectations to high, demanding or sacrificial to elicit true willingness to follow? Or did they follow out of fear, or lack of choice?

War/

Oppression

Independence

Freedom

Charismatic Leadership

Example (copy and paste into internet browser) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlf9ZLnrtiE Intrinsic motivation; 1. How do you want to live? 2. Life vs Death 3. Cost of freedom 

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Well spoken, confident body language

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group of devoted followers – lead to large group of followers

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3.

Interaction between leaders and followers

1.

Considers the needs of the followers

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Leader as a role model

3.

Definition

Close circle of followers. He is considered legendary. Offers them choice – what type of life do they want to live. Does not accept compensation, true to his plight, upfront, honest.

Examples from Movie

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2.

3.

Promotes change

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Motivates followers to exceed expectations

2.

Authentic

Definition

3.

Wants Scotland to be a free nation/independent of England Won battles, changed minds about fighting back against England Leads by example, fights at the front line, ultimately his life is sacrificed for his cause

Examples from Movie

May not be flexible, but consistent in his message and actions Knows where he stands and who he is Action oriented

Believes there is a chance to be free.

FREEDOM Fights for a better life for all Scottish people

Hopeful & resilient Decision making is concise and definitive

Does not pretend to know everything

Stood against the English army

Fought for what he believed in “freedom” and “independence”

Devote group of followers (those closest to him)

Never sought personal gain through financial compensation

Led by example

United people in a common goal

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War, oppression Death of his wife Became a leader in a time where people were obsessed with hierarchy Reality of freedom and independence was slim Out numbered, out matched and unpopular amongst Scottish nobles

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William Wallace can be seen as a leader in this movie His leadership framework can fall under multiple frameworks and is fluid in nature. This is do to his leadership style and the situation in which the movie/plot took place. Evidence of leadership is aboundent

The question remains – Was he a good leader?

Avolio, B.J., & Gardner, W. L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly 16, 315–338. Fairholm, Gilbert W.. Understanding Leadership Perspectives : Theoretical and Practical Approaches: Springer, p 27 Winkler, Ingo. (2010) Contemporary Leadership Theories Enhancing the Understanding of the Complexity, Subjectivity and Dynamic of Leadership: Chapter 5 Van Seters, D. A., & Field, R. H.G. (1990). The evolution of leadership theory. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 3(3), 29 - 45. 16.

Zaccaro, S. J. (2007). Trait-based perspectives of leadership. American Psychologist, 62(1), 6-

Youtube Freedom Speech. Braveheart. Retrieved from internet on November 10th, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlf9ZLnrtiE Youtube, Movie Trailer. Braveheart. Retrieved from internet on November 10th, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBXBtORI7pE