Motivation, Stress, and Leadership in Invictus and The Invisible War

1031 Words3 Pages

Many Hollywood hits have recurring themes of organizational behavior in them. Sometimes the themes are hidden and are not crystal clear. However, after watching Invictus and The Invisible War three main topics became clear. Each of these films displays characteristics of motivation, stress, and leadership in different ways. However, the message about these three topics is clear.
Background
Invictus tells the true story of how Nelson Mandela joined powers with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their divided nation. South Africa was a deeply divided nation throughout its history. The nation was racially divided and unstable.
The Invisible War is a documentary that outlines the seemingly growing epidemic of sexual assault in the United States military. Careers in the armed forces for the United States carry prestigious titles. However, there is a darker side of the armed forces that was not brought to light until recently.
Motivation
Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa after being imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island. Before his imprisonment, when facing the death penalty on trial for sabotage, Mandela’s speech to the court included the following:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” (Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory)
Mandela’s motivation throughout his life and this film was fundamental; to live in a free society. The President’s goal was clear in this film. In one of the fir...

... middle of paper ...

...direction due to the perseverance of these women.
While each of these films has different backgrounds and cultures, the themes of motivation, stress, and leadership are evident in both. Further, these themes appear in all different aspects of employment; from the President of a nation to a Marine in basic training.

Works Cited

Eastwood, C. (Director). (2010). Invictus [Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Dick, K. (Director). (2003). The invisible war [Documentary]. United States: New Video Group.

Hellriegel, D. & Slocum, J.W., Jr. (2011). Organizational behavior (13th ed.). Mason, OH:
South-Western Cengage Learning

Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus. (n.d.). Not invisible. Retrieved from
http://www.notinvisible.org/policy

Open Document