Deconstruction Leadership

Deconstruction Leadership
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Abstract
The idea(s) of deconstruction leadership has been explored in the films, “12 Angry Men” and “Dead Poets Society” directed by Sidney Lumet and Peter Weir, respectively. Davis and Mr. Keating are the protagonists of these films whose roles have been used to understand the idea(s) of leadership. The incorporation of leadership theories supports the films’ idea(s) of destruction, and attempt to find loopholes and omissions in the same. There is an extrapolation of theories such as “The Great Man,” “Behavioral Theories” and “Contingency Theories.” Each one of them is represented in the films mainly due to the director’s similarities in leadership portrayal. Furthermore, the inclusion of Aristotle supplements the analysis by looking into ethos, pathos, and logos as rhetorical strategies. His philosophical ideologies are precise; catering to both the leaders and their followers. Finally, there is a conclusion that wraps up the analysis by delving into strategic leadership and the role(s) of leadership in the workplace.
Keywords: Leadership, Leadership Theories, Deconstruction
Deconstruction Leadership
Both “12 Angry Men” and “Dead Poets Society” are 20th-century films that extrapolate on the idea(s) [and tenets] of leadership. There is the need to, however, embark on deconstructing the portrayals of leadership in these two films. Focusing on deconstruction constituted by Jacques Derrida makes it easier for the audience(s) to decipher the text’s omissions and loopholes.

Deconstructing both films enlightens the audience(s) on the notion(s) that only specific characteristics augur effective leadership.
“12 Angry Men,” directed by Sidney Lumet, is a film about jurors and their role(s) in the case of a young boy who murders his father. A deconstruction of this film commences by exposing the audience(s) to its positive portrayals of leadership. In the movie, there is a delineation of group diversity facilitated by Davis’ character. He is juror number 8 and strives to bring about a cooperative environment among all the 12 men. Regrettably, the film does not offer a substantial depiction of cooperation because it is only the 8th jurors that attempts to bring them together. Leadership, through cooperation, should have been an overall and all-round endeavor impacted by all the jurors. There is a striking contradiction in the film’s plot since these leaders do not fulfill their responsibilities.
Like the “12 Angry Men,” “Dead Poets Society” directed by Peter Weir is deconstructed to portray the idea(s) that leadership skills are nurtured. Mr. Keating instills leadership skills in one of his slowest students; proving they are more inclined toward nurture in Nature vs. Nurture Debate. However, it becomes quite a task to work toward teaching individuals these skills regularly. Davis’ ‘innate way(s) of introducing cooperative measures makes it more feasible to classify him as a ‘true’ leader. The slow student in Weir’s film, also, somewhat forcefully adapts [and conforms] to these characteristics of leadership. Both films attempt to ‘mold’ certain characters into leaders, and this is contradictory to their actual role(s).
Leadership theories such as “The Great Man,” “Behavioral Theories” and “Contingency Theories” are useful in exploring the two films. Davis’ affirms the assertions made by “The Great Man” theory which argues that true leaders are born (Modise, 2015). The audience(s) is only aware of his role(s) and responsibility in impacting the lives of the other jurors. Apart from being self-aware, Davis is fair-minded and genuine; making it easier for the character to lead his followers. In “Dead Poets Society,” the audience(s) also understands that Mr. Keating’s teaching profession is constituent of leadership characteristics. Leading his students delineates the teacher’s accentuation of “The Great Man” theory. Additionally; Davis, juror 8, is simply one of the jurors whose natural leadership skills assist him in leading the others. He does not possess any unique title(s) that affirm his leadership position. Again, both films are in-line with “Behavioral Theories” as Davis and Mr. Keating attempt to instill leadership skills in their followers (Modise, 2015). They are both fruitful since the former facilitates diversity [and cooperation] while the latter assists even his slow students to grow in leadership. Insofar as there is enough proof that leaders are born, delving into the making of leaders is supplemented by these “Behavioral Theories.” The films also depict “Contingency Theories” which dictate that leadership is more effective with cooperative followers (Modise, 2015). Like in “Dead Poets Society,” Mr. Keating easily instills these skills in the student because the latter is bound to respond the teacher’s directives. In fact, the hierarchical disparity makes it easier for Weir’s film to apply the “Behavioral Theories” of leadership.
Furthermore, Aristotle’s rhetoric prescribes that leaders should lead in a particular manner(s). He employs the ideas of ethos, logos, and pathos in extrapolating the concept of leadership. Leaders should 1) use ethos to appeal to their followers’ characters 2) use pathos to appeal to their followers’ reason and 3) use pathos to attract the followers’ emotions. Aristotle’s reiterates that the three strategies cannot be separated as they are all interrelated. Realizing the followers’ emotion, for instance, creates an avenue for trust. When leaders understand the needs of their followers fully, they are bound to be categorized in the latter’s good books. Ethos also delves further into the leader’s character making it known to the followers whether or not the former is worthy of respect. These individuals are supposed to emulate leaders such as Davis and Mr. Keating in “12 Angry Men” and “Dead Poets Society,” respectively. Again, when leaders focus on their reasoning [logos], it is salient that they fully respect their followers’ wants and needs. According to Aristotle’s rhetoric, a leader is not supposed to abandon his followers at any cost. A true leader does not ‘fake’ his/her leadership skills by only acting as one in the midst of the followers. An in-depth look at trust issues asserts that Aristotle’s philosophy demands leaders to contain themselves in independence [and freedom]. If at all they are under the wing of ‘slavery,’ it is impossible for them to gain the trust of their followers.
The two films, “12 Angry Men” and “Dead Poets Society” have reviews whose deconstruction also works toward their understanding. The “12 Angry Men” review by Glenn Heath Jr. slightly contradicts the film because it talks about instances of non-inclusion and discrimination that Davis strives to eradicate. The author, in this review, focuses more on the negativity rather than positivity affiliated with this film. It is a depiction of the ‘subtle’ flaws that are existent in individuals’ lives. Moreover, the review on “Dead Poets Society” by Roger Ebert shows blatantly that some of the scenes in this film are fictitious. Even if this is factual, the reviewer should only delve into its relevant matters which; in this case, revolved around leadership. The audience(s) made to believe that some scenes are just ‘made up’ is bound to gauge the whole film from a similar vantage point.
The films, “12 Angry Men” and “Dead Poets Society” are representative of strategic leadership. Deconstructing these films showed clearly that Davis and Mr. Keating worked best in delineating the characters of leaders. The characters both employed strategies that managed to influence other people as well as their followers. Again, they attempted to dismiss “The Great Man” theory that only supports the assertion that leaders are born. The followers that grasp skills from their leaders are indisputable proof that leadership is also nurtured. Apparently, the idea(s) of leadership is applicable in the workplace to drive the employees’ productivity. The workers should have supervisors [and leaders] to ensure the handling of individual responsibilities, accordingly. Any organization(s) or workplace(s) without leaders and implementation of leadership strategies are bound to languish in unproductivity. Davis and Mr. Keating are the definition of leadership in these two films. References
Modise, O. M. B. (2015). Cases on leadership in adult education. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference, an imprint of IGI Global.