I have been toying with this subject for quite some time and so enough is enough, I introduce you to
“Leadership in Motion Pictures”
The purpose of Leadership in Motion Pictures is simple; to present and show you those unique motion pictures that not only entertain but show leaders in unique situations and how they get themselves out of it.
The first motion picture is the 1949 classic TWELVE O’CLOCK HIGH starring Gregory Peck as a US Army Air Corp Brigadier General reluctantly is given command of a bomber group based in England during World War II.
When the movie begins the 918th Bomb Group has suffered terrible losses and the commander seems to do nothing to get the bomber groups confidence back. When all seems lost, the upper echelon wants change and that change has to happen now. The war cannot wait for the current commander to get his “mojo” back.
In comes the reluctant Brigadier General Frank Savage played by Gregory Peck. He starts by restoring law and order in an otherwise near chaotic and malaise infested Bomb Group. Savage starts by doing what he must do to restore order on the ground before even considering any changes in the air.
There is resistance to the changes. No one likes his “back to fundamentals approach”. Sound familiar? However, with threats from the pilots and crew of quitting or transferring, the General does not back down. Ultimately, the changes start to make sense for the 918th Bomber group and they start to gel. The pilots, crew, and men of the Bomb Group start to regain their confidence.
While on actual bombing missions, Brigadier General Frank Savage is up there with the group. He is leading them from the front on numerous missions. Then he begins rotating flight commanders among all the pilots in his command.
Throughout the motion picture permeates the sense of battle fatigue, combat stress, post traumatic disorder, and just plain old “bad luck” as to why things are happening the way they are.
War is never easy. When motion pictures stopped glamorizing war (such as those John Wayne type movies) then things could really be told. I understand some liberties have to be take to dumb down war, men in war and the things that happen in war for the general public to consume but the message of leadership also permeates throughout Twelve O’Clock High.
The message is simple. The mission comes first. In this case, the mission is to win the war. The men come second. Use the men as best as they can be used to support the mission which will win the war. The mission, the men and women that perform the mission and the price the men, women and their machines pay to fight in a war is one thing that every leader must remember whether fighting a war in some far off land or the battle is in the accounting department. The mission is and always will be of the most highest importance by their leader or leaders. Get everyone focused on the mission. Hold them accountable to that mission and the rest will take care of itself just like General Frank Savage did in Twelve O’Clock High.
Twelve O’Clock High is currently available for streaming on NETFLIX and on AMAZON dot com.