Leadership Styles in 12 Angry Men and Dead Poets Society

Introduction

This paper analyzes and deconstructs several leadership styles and approaches through an examination of the films 12 Angry Men (1957) and Dead Poets Society (1989), applying frameworks drawn from Northouse, Bennis, and Aristotle.

Trait Leadership Approach

The trait approach to leadership emphasizes that research identifies specific traits that clearly differentiate leaders from followers (Northouse, 2010, p. 15). However, Northouse cites the second Stogdill study (1974), which found that both situational factors and personality were determining factors of leadership (Northouse, 2010, p. 16). In other words, while specific traits are important to the type of leadership a person exhibits, situational factors must also be considered.

In both 12 Angry Men and Dead Poets Society, the trait approach to leadership is clearly demonstrated. In 12 Angry Men, the emerging leader of the twelve jurors, played by Henry Fonda, uses his personal traits to navigate the tense situational factors at hand. All the jurors appear mentally and physically exhausted after listening to a lengthy murder trial and do not seem eager to prolong their civic obligation. An initial vote shows that eleven believe the accused man is guilty, while one dissents. That one person — Fonda's character — must overcome his own fatigue, the exhaustion of the group, and somehow persuasively explain his reasoning for believing the accused is not guilty.

From the beginning, it is apparent that Fonda possesses a more democratic style of leadership. He first expresses no opinion either way when initially voting "not guilty," but instead encourages the other jurors to discuss the case with open minds. Given the tense situation at hand — tired jurors wanting to go home after a long trial — Fonda's use of his trait leadership style appears to be exactly what is needed to build momentum for the jurors to think carefully through the facts and the reasoning behind the verdict.

In Dead Poets Society, the trait approach to leadership is also demonstrated. John Keating is a newly arrived English teacher at a strict New England boarding school for young men. From the outset, it is clear that his personality and character traits make him uniquely suited to lead the students in developing a passion for poetry and discovering their own self-identity. The first time Keating teaches, he enters whistling, then suddenly exits. He reappears a moment later and tells the students to follow him. In the hallway, Keating introduces the students to the concept of carpe diem — seize the day while they are able. The students have never had a teacher like this before; they appear stunned and puzzled after Keating's first lesson. Keating combines his personal traits of passion for life and learning with the situation he faces — young men who have been instructed in a mechanical, lifeless method for years — to emerge as the leader his students need.

Style Leadership Approach

The style approach to leadership focuses specifically on how leaders act and what they do (Northouse, 2010, p. 69). It has been divided into two general types of behaviors: task behaviors, which aid goal accomplishment, and relationship behaviors, which help subordinates feel more comfortable on multiple levels (Northouse, 2010, p. 69). "The central purpose of the style approach is to explain how leaders combine these two kinds of behaviors to influence subordinates in their efforts to reach a goal" (Northouse, 2010, p. 69).

In 12 Angry Men, Fonda's character employs the style leadership approach. He combines his goal — a task behavior — of securing a fair deliberation concerning the man accused of murder with helping the other eleven jurors feel more comfortable — a relationship behavior — with thinking critically and closely examining the facts, even when they are tired and reluctant to continue. Fonda maintains a clear goal and never relents from questioning each juror to explain his reasoning. At times this unrelenting prodding results in personal attacks on Fonda, but he never gives up. Ultimately, this style leadership approach helps the twelve jurors grapple with the questionable facts from the case and reconsider the accused man's guilt.

In Dead Poets Society, Keating's leadership style must differ because his young students have been trained to be obedient — even submissive — throughout their academic careers at the boarding school. Early in the film, Keating criticizes the dull introduction to the students' poetry textbook, explaining that there can be no exact calculation to measure a poem's "greatness" as the introduction's author suggests. Keating then instructs the students to rip out the pages of the introduction. The students do not know how to react at first. Slowly they begin tearing out the pages, growing excited and motivated by the exercise. This example of a non-traditional teaching method demonstrates Keating's leadership style — one that guides students without being authoritarian. The youthful and distinctive style Keating brings to working with the students is inspiring and clearly effective in supporting their adolescent self-discovery.

Conclusion

Across four distinct theoretical frameworks — trait leadership, style leadership, taking charge without taking control, and Aristotelian rhetoric — both films illustrate how effective leadership depends on aligning personal traits and behavioral style with the demands of the situation. Henry Fonda and John Keating each demonstrate that inspiring others, rather than commanding them, is the hallmark of genuinely transformative leadership.

References

Aristotle. Rhetoric. Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/rhetoric.1.i.html

Bennis, W. G. (2003). On becoming a leader: The leadership classic. Perseus Books Group.

Fonda, H., & Rose, R. (Producers), & Lumet, S. (Director). (1957). 12 angry men [Motion picture]. United Artists Films.

Haft, S. (Producer), & Weir, P. (Director). (1989). Dead poets society [Motion picture]. Touchstone Pictures.

Northouse, P. G. (2010). Leadership: Theory and practice. SAGE Publications.