William Wallace Leadership

Leadership, what is leadership? There are many different definitions and concepts on the definition of leadership and the type of leadership style that leaders convey within an organization. Business Dictionary will define leadership as: 1.The individuals who are the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively and 2. The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to lead. Leadership involves establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, and providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision is essential in leadership.

Leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Someone

with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates who, despite early failures, with continued passion and innovation has driven Microsoft and the software industry to success (Business Dictionary, n.d.).
My personal definition of leadership is the interaction that is display between leaders, subordinates or followers, goals, vision, mission and the given situation. The leadership of any organization will also depend on the leadership style. CNN reports, "Every leader has a particular style of leadership that is innate. However, the behaviors, attitudes or methods of delivery that are effective for one staff member may in fact be

counterproductive for another," says Michael Burke, account supervisor, MSR Communications, a public relations. (CNN, n.d.).
According to Grossman & Valiga, leadership styles includes: transactional leadership, transformational leadership, charismatic leadership, visionary leadership, democratic leadership, autocratic leadership, and servant leadership. Although an effective leadership traits and skills are vital in my leadership pilgrimage, my character and personalities will enhance my leadership potentials and serve as a catalyst in developing a successful and effective leader.
"Great leaders are aware of their own style and make the effort to learn how their style actually comes across to their team. They learn to flex their leadership style to individual team members so that they communicate and behave in ways that motivate and inspire." (CNN, n.d.). Considering some of the world most powerful leaders, like Vladimir Putin of Russia, Barack Obama of United States, Xi Jinping of China, Pop Francis of Roman Catholic Church, to name a few, they all have, leadership style, leadership traits, leadership skills, leadership qualities, and leadership training in common that they have proven to the world as powerful leaders. As mentioned previously in my journal, in today's world, an organization depends solely on the ongoing action of leadership that occurs through the influence of both conventional and nonconventional management and leadership relationships. In addition, Shead’s definition of leadership is the process that leaders use to convey and produce results and responds to situations with the help of their leadership abilities and attributes. (Shead, 2007). The movie Braveheart is my chosen movie that I will be analyzing about the leadership styles and characteristics that was

portrayed by different characters in the movie. As Mark Shead explained, “true leaders concentrates on developing the leadership qualities necessary for success” (Shead, 2007). A leader is considered effective depending on the team, the organization, the manager, and situation. For the last six weeks I have learnt academics theories of leadership and how a leader traits, leadership model, styles, skills, and qualities define a leader. This paper will discuss and review characters leadership styles and characteristics in the movie, Braveheart. More so, this paper will examine my biggest perception and the impact the story has on my life, learning experience from the exercise, applications related to my clinical practice, and finally useful information that will be useful towards my future or subsequent role as a master’s prepared nurse.
After watching and analyzing the movie Braveheart, I picked three of the story's characters that I will be comparing and contrasting: William Wallace (Mel Gibson), Robert the Bruce (Angus McFayden) and King Edward Longshanks (Patrick McGoohan) about their leadership styles and characteristics. In 1995 the movie Braveheart was filmed and had twenty four wins and twenty one nominations including this picture, best director, best sound editing, best make up, and this cinematography. The above important characters in the film proclaimed different leadership styles that pose dissension among the leaders.

William Wallace Leadership Style

William Wallace was the core protagonist of the movie, a ferocious Scottish warrior and leader who fought for freedom and independence of Scotland against King

Edward of England in the 13th century.

William Wallace portrayed different leadership style throughout the film. Wallace does not display coercive because his leadership style from different situations. The first depiction of leadership style of William Wallace in the film is an inspirational leader. He also displays a great transformational, servant, and a charismatic authority leadership style. William Wallace a visionary, with a passion for freedom and independence of the people of Scotland, leads and unites commoners of Scotland with a major goal. His vision had direction, because his vision and goals were well articulated, he also addressed the reasons things were being done. Due to his inspirational leadership style he inspires, influence, motivates and encourage his followers and others to become

leaders.
“William Wallace: “There’s a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.” When William Wallace speaks, he spoke to inspire, inform, and persuade to capture the minds of his followers and others. Through transformational leadership style, William Wallace also convey his personal characteristics that define him as a great leader. He was always true to his values and beliefs and accepts responsibility of his actions. William Wallace had a vision for the future, he embraced change, he was a coach, he was credible and reliant, he was a fierce Scottish warrior, he was brave, optimistic, he had integrity, strong, confident, supportive, servant, trust worthy, prioritize his goals, and morally convicted. Indeed, William Wallace was a burned leader.

Robert the Bruce Leadership style
Robert the Bruce, was a Scottish noble who was the next successor for the Scottish throne.

In the movie, Robert the Bruce, was the king of the Scots who secured Scotland's independence from England. Robert the Bruce also had a vision like William Wallace, however, his vision was more personal. Bruce exhibited a traditional authority leadership style because of who he was, not what he did for the people. Dictatorial leadership was also seen I Bruce leadership style. He was focused on achieving personal goals, through the process, he realized that to become authentically noble, the decision of your wealth, status, title or possessions, but being in accordance with the fact and reality to your conscience. The character of Robert Bruce was display as confused young man that was faint-hearted that made him to settle or bargain for his personal goals and advantage. Simply put, Bruce was selfish. He was deeply concerned with the politics than the people. “Robert the Bruce: “I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and children and mixed up as to his loyalty and what he should

do.”
King Edward Longshanks Leadership style
King Edward of England Longshank was a ruthless leader and pronounced his power with violence and in difference to the people, but had a vision like the rest of the

characters described in this paper. He lead his people with directive and autocratic leadership style, he tells his followers what to do, how to do things, specifics standards and exercise firm authority over his followers. He wanted a Scottish leader to control. With this mindset, Longshanks believes that his way of leading the people of England was better. He was a conceded and takes no advice from anyone. Unlike William Wallace, Longshank did what he felt was right and induced his followers and subordinates to display a desired way by using his power and status to get what he wanted them to do. Longshanks was temperamental, and intimidating that poses fear in his peers. Nevertheless, he was respected because he exemplified himself as a leader that was skillful, he saw leadership as an art of science and great man of faith with contribution to the law and administration of England. Longshank led his people from above and with power, because he made decisions without aide, self-directed and most importantly control the end results. He had a weakness, but to maintain his status of being powerful, in control and strong, and faced his opponents with greatness.
This was my first encounter with Braveheart, it had so many different leadership qualities that I touched the hearts of every type of leader that watched it. My biggest impression from the movie was the inspirational leadership style that was portrayed by William Wallace. He inspires others to lead themselves and started the revolution including Robert the Bruce was inspired by him. Most importantly, William major accomplishment was when he convinced Robert the Bruce to join him in fighting for freedom and independence. He had a vision for freedom and the independence of his people, and he stayed focused. He led with passion and commitment, a true leader that he inspired others to lead after his died. As a result the Scots fought in Wallace’s memory, and they were led by Robert the Bruce.
With this impression and admiration for his leadership style, I have learnt the importance of staying on track, staying focus and developing a passion for what I vision in my career journey. I want to first inspire myself and work towards inspiring my teammates. During this exercise, I have also learnt the importance of developing a leadership style that will profoundly affect how issues are dealt with from the least to the major challenges that the organization will encounter. I want to lead by example like William, his courage and willingness to stand up for what he believe in brought energy to his compatriot his countrymen. I want to animate my team in bringing our goals and mission alive.
Application to my clinical practice is developing meekness to my leadership skills and potential. Each character that was chosen had some positive leadership skills that I will emulate to make me an effective leader, example the transformational, and charismatic leadership style. Unlike William, Longshanks was coercive in his leadership. Likewise Longshanks, I will like to lead from above as well and like William I will like to lead from the front, leading by example which is the foundation of leadership fulfilment. I personally will like to speak to inspire and persuade like William, because of the power it has to motivate and encourage the team. “William Wallace: dare to face this frightening foe, and if you do, you will receive something you thirst for-freedom. Do this and you will make possible something deeply meaningful to each of us.” I want to walk

the talk, and lead by example from this quote, and speech, he didn’t only inspire or persuade his followers or warriors to take risk if you yearn for something really bad, but he brought out the lion hearts, Braveheart in them.
As I work towards my future role as a master’s prepared nurse, I want to develop my inner hero, I want to articulate my personal vision, and prioritize my life to assist me in making the right decision academically and achieving my goals. By doing this I am able to focus on other goals. My personal vision in my life means a lot in my leadership journey. During this journey, I also want to get feedback from coaches, staff, and instructors to make sure that I am in accordance with my goals.
In conclusion, the movie Braveheart arrayed and explored many different characteristic of leadership and leadership styles. There has been topic on leadership being an act or science, but from the movie I have learnt that the effectiveness of being a leader is based on that leadership position. Again, as defined by Business Dictionary, a leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations. Leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Someone with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates who, despite early failures, with continued passion and innovation has driven Microsoft and the software industry to success (Business Dictionary, n.d.).
Although, a leader is vital to an organization, but in order to lead, the team has to be willing or the team to follow which is essential to the leader success in achievement of the organization and the leader goals. As the main character in the movie, William Wallace would not have accomplished his goals without the warriors. They stood by him 100% because of what he stood for.