Lord Of The Rings Leadership Style Theology Religion Essay
Gandalf-is a transformational leader who can be a wonderful and uplifting experience. They put passion and energy into everything. They care about you and want you to succeed they also make continued efforts to motivate and rally their followers, constantly doing the rounds, listening, soothing and enthusing. The Transformational Leader seeks to infect and reinfect their followers with a high level of commitment to the vision.The extent to which a leader is transformational, is measured first, in terms of his influence on the followers (Bass, B. M,(1985), Leadership and Performance, N.Y. Free Presss). In the film Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring) Gandalf takes a risk at Balrog where he fights the dragon which is made up of fire until he kills the dragon, before he took on the mighty dragon he tells the Aragon, Gimli and legolas to go save themselves which shows that Gandalf is a brave person.
Aragon has a great man theory leadership style he comes from a line of Kings. He has leadership qualities in him.That leadership is an inherent ability. Prominent leaders as having the right qualities or personality for the position, implying that inherent characteristics are what make these people effective leaders.Spencer said that such great men are the products of their societies, and that their actions would be impossible without the social conditions built before their lifetimes( Carneiro, (1981) Robert L. Herbert Spencer as an Anthropologist Journal of Libertarian Studies, vol. 5, 1981, pp.171-2). In the film when on Gandalfs absence Aragon was leading Gimli and Lagolas to find hobbits Pipin and Merry. Gimli and Lagolas followed him without any hesitation because of Aragons family history coming from a line of kings and his experience in tracking and fighting ability
How effective was the Leader in the film.
Gandalf was effective in the film because he was very old person who had seen the with the word friend, Gandalf started to say words of different language which showed that his a person of wide range of knowledge where he does not think the same as the other people in the film.
Aragon is an effective person in the movie because he comes from a line of kings. At Gandalfs absence he leads the fellowship. He also is good at tracking people and at sword fighting which makes him an effective leader.
The power held by the leaders
Gandalf- Has expert power where they can influence others with their expertise and knowledge. Expert power is based on what one knows, one with experience and skills. In the film Gandalf has a lot of knowledge and experience since his a very old person. He has knowledge about elfs, oks and hobbits. Gandalf has referent power also because all his followers like him and respected him since he was old with the most knowledge. Gandalf also had legimate power he was part of the Isatari and was second of Sauramon, he was known as Gandalf the grey.
Situation in the movie since he was a wizard and of the second order the fellowship characters followed him to Mordo since he had the most knowledge and experience, on the way to Mordo and where crossing Moira Gandalf fought the Balrog where followers obeyed his orders when he told them to go as he knew that they will come and help him and will also die.
Aragon had referent and charismatic power because he made decisions which were for the betterment of the people he had qualities which motivated people and was effective while speaking and his followers liked him. In the film after everyone thinks that Gandalfs dead when he falls down a clip while fighting with the dragon Aragon takes the position of leader, with his quick decision making he is able to convince the mind of the people and lead them to the right direction.
Situation in the film and theories
A situation in the film which identifies Gandalfs leadership style was when he fought with Sauraman, he knew he was weaker than Sauraman but he still fought him so Frodo could complete his quest which is destroy he ring. As a transformational leader Gandalf thinks for the benefit of the other people first than himself. He uses his abilities to fight evil so people can be safe from Saurag the dark lord. Aragon is also a transformational leader he taught for mankind first than himself in the scene were Frodo was being attacked by the big monster Aragon jumped in to safe Frodo and was hurt in the process, his attempts was to safe Frodo so he could destroy the ring and save mankind.
Type of organisation, level of seniority and its effects
The fellowship of the ring was formed at Rivendell. The fellowship was made up of nine members to destroy the ring in the fire at Mount Doom which was in Mordor. The members in the fellowship were Gandalf, Aragon, Frodo, Sam, Legolas, Gimli, Pipin, Merry and Boromir. Gandalf lead the fellowship of the ring on his absence Aragon took over
Gandalf was the leader of the fellowship of the ring everyone agreed since he had the most knowledge and experience because his seen the world more than anyone. He was the most senior person. The Blake Mouton Managerial grid says some leaders are people and some are task oriented (Mind Tools Limited 2013). Gandalf is people oriented he cares for people.
Aragon was from a line of kings he had leadership ability in him. He used his power to motivate people with his leadership skills. In the movie he took over leadership when the situation arose, on Gandalf’s absence he took over as leader. Spencer said that such great men are the products of their societies, and that their actions would be impossible without the social conditions built before their lifetimes ( Carneiro, (1981)
Individual Culture and traits
Gandalf was a wizard in the Isatari and was of the second order. He was second behind Saruman who had misused his power and had joined forces with Saurag the dark Lord. Gandalf used his powers for the good of the people because in their organisation they were allowed to give advice to people but not use their powers on the people. Gandalf was trying to help Frodo destroy the ring and save mankind.
Aragon was the king of Gondor but secretly lived the life of a Rivendell ranger after his father death. Since leadership was in his blood he knew how to lead people. This is the reason why people followed him.
Leadership theories
Consideration- this leader care for their followers and take into account their ideas and feelings. According to findings and studies people exhibit two leadership styles which are people oriented and task oriented. In the movie Gandalf and Aragon are two leaders and both are people oriented, they take notice of their followers feeling and ideas. Both Gandalf and Aragons main motive was to destroy the ring and save mankind. In the movie seen in the end Aragon had to let Frodo go and destroy the ring on his own. Aragon made a big sacrifice choosing between individual (Frodo) and mankind survival but he still lead his followers and saved their lives.
The Whale Rider
Leadership Style
Koro- Is an Autocratic leader: is a leader who dictates procedures, decides what goals are to be achieved, and directs and controls all activities without any meaningful participation by the members of the group. “Authoritarian leaders make decisions independently with little or no input from the rest of the group” Cherry, Kendra. “Lewin’s Leadership Styles.” About.com Psychology. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. In the movie Koro always made the decision and did not take any persons input not even his wife. Koro has absolute control over his followers.
Pai is a servent leader: Servant Leadership argues that the most effective leaders are servants of their people. Servant leaders get results for their organization through whole-hearted attention to their followers and followers’ needs. Larry Spears outlined ten characteristics of a servant leader empathy, listening, awareness, healing, persuasion, foresight, conceptualization, stewardship, commitment to the growth of others, and building community. In the movie Pai is a young girl who wants to keep everyone happy especially her grandfather. When the whale needed help to go off shore Pai rode the whale to safety.
Effectiveness of the leader
Koro was an effective leader in the movie as he was old and wise. He had knowledge of his Moari culture. He is a person who makes final decisions and everyone has to follow it even if people do not agree with the decision he makes. His downfall is he did not listen to anyone’s ideas and thoughts being the whale rider.
Type of power
Koro has expert: When you have knowledge and skills that enable you to understand a situation, he has knowledge of his culture. In the movie he trains the boys in the settlement on how to become chiefs were he teaches the boys the ancient Moari fight songs and how to defend themselves as their ancestors did.
Koro also uses his power on how a chief uses their power. Koro also abuses his power mostly on his granddaughter by mistreating her because he believes that girls cannot be leaders.
Pai is a referent leader followers like her because she is influential with her words and is respected by the people. In referent power the leader sets an example for the people. In the movie when Pai was ill treated by Koro she was brave through such a difficult time.
Pai leadership style is motivating the people as she is good with her words which shows she has charismatic power.. She knows that she is from a chiefly family and wants to lead her tribe successfully in the future
In the movie Koro believes only man can be leaders he shows he is an autocratic leader. He also shows coersive power, which is the power to withhold punishment. In one of the movie scene where he tells Pai to go to the beach as she is a girl and is not part of the meeting. Koro does not want to accept changes in the world. In another scene he gets angry with Pai ‘You don’t mess with sacred things’ when he caught Pai indulging with the Moari defensive art; again he shows disrespect for his granddaughter.
In the movie scene Pai is determined to learn the Moari defensive fight, one of the boys comes to teach her the fight when he sees the determination of her learning the fight. This shows that Pai is a referent leader as people like her determination.
Type of organisation and seniority
This leadership situation in The Whale Rider: The movie is set in New Zealand in the fishing village of Whangere. Paikea the whale rider is the ancestor of these people
Koro is the chief of the village and he comes from a line of chief who was known as Paikea who arrived on the island centuries ago riding on a whale.
Koro is the chief of the village and is the most senior person in the settlement. He has a lot of knowledge about their culture and his believe is that man can only be leaders and warriors and Pai can never be a leader.
Koro has a bureaucratic leadership style ‘His way or the high way’ everything must be done according to procedure or policy. But he needed to change the way of his leadership because many people did not like the way of his leadership.
Pai is nowhere in the hierarchy as her grandfather wanted a grandson and he believes that Pai is a bad fortune. Pai does not let this matter let her down because she is an outspoken person and never gives up.
Individual culture and its effect
Koro and Pai played an effective role as leaders. Pai and Koro lives are surrounded with culture (Moari) and tradition example the whale riding story of Paikea, chanting and their knowledge (Mead, 2006, p.14).
Other leadership styles
Paikea in the movie illustrates trait theory, the qualities that she possesses as a leader comes from her chiefly background. She has the determination towards learn her culture from her grandfather, she has respect for her culture and people and in return her people respect her and trust her as well. She is a very charismatic leader, even after beating Hemi in a Taiaha fight, Hemi is willing to support her and help her. She is brave enough to jump into the sea to get her grandfather’s whale tooth, which clearly describes her quality of bravery and courageous above all her determination to becoming a leader.
The movie ends with Koro accepting Pai as a Wise Leader, and the people and the whale following her commands.
In good company
Dan Foreman is an executive in his company who learns that his company is being demoted. He is a charismatic leader, who has the ability to motivate and influence people. He is respected and liked by his people. These leaders are mostly ethical leaders. They are people oriented leaders.
Carter on the other hand is the new head of the advertisement department, because of him Dan is being demoted. Carter displays transformational leadership. Hence transformational leadership is characterized by the ability to bring about significant change in employees and the organization, thus the company believed that Carter would be the best to bring about changes in the company. Cater is also transactional leader he fired employees when the company needed cut downs.
Effectiveness of the leader
Dan is very determined, and is very effective as a leader he is able to influence people. People really liked him and have respect for him. He was the kind of leader that people wanted. Even after being demoted from as an executive and replaced by a young man half his age, he is still willing to work for the company, he shows his loyalty towards his work and as well as his employees.
Carter was also a very effective leader; because he was given the authority people always listen to him and followed him. He possesses great knowledge in his field, he had different kind of ideas as to how to promote and advertise. He also had the ability to influence people. He was not really liked by the people but because he was chosen as the head of the department people had to follow him.
Type of power
Dan Forman has referent power which is the people in his department liked him as he was a people oriented person he cared for his staff. A scene in the movie where it showed he has referent power been when he was demoted the employees in his department showed sympathy. Dan Forman also has charisma power because he has the ability to speak and motivate the workers and since he is a referent power people listen to him.
Carter Duryea has legimate power because Duryea walks into Sports America with the title of Chief of Marketing. But did not have enough experience working for a magazine. His previous job was selling mobiles to kids. Carter uses his power in a negative way which was to lower expense by terminating employees
In the movie Carter tries to terminate employees who have worked in the company for years but Dan does not want that to happen as he knows that people who are being terminated have put a lot of effort in their jobs which shows that Dan cares for his workers.
Type of organisation, level of seniority and its effect
Dan Forman and Carter Duryea work for sports magazine which is known as Sports America
Carter Duryea is the marketing chief who is the senior person in the department. Which means that Dan has to work for carter? Carter has legimate power were people have to listen to him.
Dan Forman was demoted which means he was no longer a legimate power but was Carters assistant even so that does not have employees and the client listen to him. Dan Forman had referent power he had the most knowledge in his department so people listen to him.
Individual culture and its effect
Dan Forman is 51 years old and is old school; he balances his life with family. He is married with two kids. He is demoted from work but strives back to his marketing chief position. Dan Forman shows respect to all people. Forman has a good reputation in the company and becomes mentor for carter at the end.
Carter is a 26 year old and is from the new generation. He is after a successful carrier, but does not have a personal life, this illustrates the failure of his marriage. He does not believe in old school thoughts of Dan Formans. Carter did not like the work but was in it for the money.
Leadership theories
This film illustrates great man theory. Great man theory sought to identify the inherited traits leaders possessed that distinguish them from people who weren’t leaders with the premise that some people are born with traits that make them natural leaders, thus Dan illustrates the qualities a leader needs according to great man theory.
At the end of the film Carter realizes that Dan is the kind of leader that everyone wanted, therefore he tells him that he has learnt a lot from Dan. Dan on the other hand gets his position back Carter is able to learn what he lacks and he believes he could have never been better then Dan.
