by David Van Kleeck
Professor in the Practice, Engineering Leadership
Early in the RCEL curriculum, we review the “Engineer of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century” published by the National Academy of Engineering in 2004. Not surprisingly, the major themes identified then are still applicable today. One of those themes is lifelong learning. It’s an essential behavior that keeps leaders proficient and relevant.
Early in my leadership career, I was introduced to the use of movies to provide examples that might prove useful in my own leadership growth. I especially enjoy those movies that have a basis in real people and events. Considering our current needs for social distancing, and perhaps some additional availability of time, I have given some thought to what movies might make good viewing for students of leadership. The list I have accumulated over the years is extensive, but I have distilled the list down to five that are my favorites.
Twelve Angry Men (1957)
This 1950s black and white film captures the essence of exerting influence without being in a position of power. Trial Juror #8 (Henry Fonda) overcomes obstacles to find a less obvious truth, and an appropriate verdict. Its examination of alternative explanations and finding root causes in the face of bias and bigotry leads to some high drama.
Sully (2016)
Clint Eastwood’s adaptation of Chesley Sullenberger’s successful airliner landing in the Hudson River in 2009 provides some remarkable insights into leadership in a crisis, the value of superb technical skill, and the ability to review one’s own actions critically. Objective self-assessment and reflection are keys to unlocking the full explanation of what happened.
Hidden Figures (2016)
In the age before widespread availability of digital computers for doing analytical geometry calculations at NASA, teams of women manually performed them. It took considerable skill to support the early space program in the US. This story of three black women (Katherine Goble, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan) highlights their struggles not only as minorities, but as women working in a largely male dominated engineering world. Their rise to prominence and contributions to the success of space exploration were largely unknown or ignored until recently.
Remember the Titans (2000)
A sports film depicting the 1971 T.C. Williams high school football team as it is racially integrated and led by a new black head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington). This study in leadership style, building teamwork, maintaining positive relationships, and overcoming adversity are distinctive features of the film. It is an outstanding example of building trust in the midst of cultural and racial divisions.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This is Ron Howard’s film adaptation of the nearly catastrophic failure of the Apollo 13 lunar landing mission in April 1970. The film highlights the synchronization of teamwork, technical skill, and leadership within a vast network of astronauts, engineers, technicians, and managers. Their struggle against a critical timeline to rescue the three astronauts from a critically damaged spacecraft has great lessons in achieving success in the face of extreme time and resource constraints.
I find these films provide nearly all of the leadership examples I like to use in the classroom. They are not simple stories. They all are multi-layered and are interwoven with fascinating sub plots and characters. If you find yourself needing a diversion in our current era of self-imposed isolation, these movies could be for you. Be sure to wear your leadership lenses as you observe leadership in action.
David Van Kleeck Ph.D. came to Rice University following a 34 year career as a Technologist and Manager in the Shell research and development organization, and a parallel career in the Army Reserve, retiring after 32 years of active and reserve service in 2005 as a Brigadier General. He returned to Rice after receiving his Ph.D. here in Chemical Engineering in 1981.
Presented by RCEL faculty, the RCEL Tip Tuesday Series addresses a variety of topics applicable to young engineering leaders, and encourages them to learn more and improve.