Leadership and Inspiration

Last weekend, I watched the movie Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood.  In this film from 2009, Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, recently elected president of South Africa in 1994.  South Africa was emerging from the apartheid system in which the white minority ruled the country.  Mandela's release from prison and winning of the presidential election was historic, but his challenges were great.  How could he build a new country from two factions that had long considered each other enemies?

This film is a great study in leadership.  Mandela chose to make a symbol of the national rugby team, the Springboks (with only one black player), which was strongly supported by the white minority and despised by the black majority as a symbol of apartheid.  By supporting the team and working directly with the team captain, François Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, he helped the country unite behind a common symbol.  Mandela had to overcome much opposition to his efforts from many of his closest advisers in his efforts, but they paid off in the end.

The title of the film is also the title of a poem, Invictus, by William Ernest Henley.  Mandela had used this poem as inspiration during his 27 years in prison.  During one scene in the movie, the rugby team and their partners visited the prison on Robben Island, where Mandela had spent much of his imprisonment.

I am not a big sports fan, but I did find the scenes of rugby to be interesting, appearing to be an interesting cross between American football and soccer.  There is leadership and inspiration to be seen here, in the way Pienaar leads the team to improve not only as rugby players but also as important symbols of the newly defined nation of South Africa.

In the actions of both Mandela and Pienaar in this movie, I saw great examples of leadership.  These leaders helped their followers move past barriers from the past, leading by example, standing fast when appropriate, and exhibiting understanding when people struggled.  If you are interested in leadership, consider seeing this film, or watching it again through your leadership lens.