Business Screen Magazine (1965-1966)

"FOLLOW THE LEADER" BRINGS MANAGER SOME FORCEFUL, BASIC CONCEPTS Facing Up to Our Crisis in Leadership nPHEREs Concern That American institu-*■ tions, both public and private, are facing a leadership crisis . . . that the nation's organizations arc in danger of coming under the leadership of men who lack the confidence to lead. If this is indeed the case — and there's a growing consensus that it is — then "Charlie" has appeared on the scene none too soon. And just who is Charlie? Charlie's the "hero" of Follow the Leader, a 16mm color motion picture about supervision and leadership recently released by Henry Strauss & Co. of New York. Charlie's also a puppet, as are all the characters in Follow the Leader, artfully fashioned to portray a host of emotions, attitudes, and personality characteristics that arc seen to have a significant effect on the relationship of the supervisor to the people he works with. Presenting Basic Ideas on Leadership Afforded the freedom of a cast that can do anything, and making full use of miniaturized, abstract sets that actually visualize ideas rather than serve as mere backgrounds for the action, Follow the Leader is at once an engaging example of the art of film and a unique and forceful presentation of some basic ideas on leadership. Unique and forceful enough, anyway, to be awarded a First Prize for excellence by the Society for the Advancement of Management at its recent Second Annual Management Film Festival. Charlie's pride can only be imagined. But the real importance of both Charlie's theatrical achievement and Follow the Leader's cinematic excellence lies in their direct response to the leadership crisis. For Charlie, as seen in Follow the Leader, goes through it all — from his first moment of panic as he realizes the burden of responsibility; through longer moments of doubt and indecision as he adjusts to his new role; to his final moment of triumph as he recognizes just what leadership is all about and how he, Charlie, can measure up to its demands. The Importance of Goals and Objectives What Charlie learns during the 11 -minute running time of Follow the Leader are the basic principles and practices of positive supervision and leadership. He learns the importance of sound objectives and realistic goals. He discovers how certain supervisory methods can waste not only his time and effort but the precious human energy under his control. He realizes that ". . . new conditions . . . demand new kinds of knowledge, new flexibility, new skill in dealing with human beings." He learns, finally, that leadership is not a kind of mystique of personality but simply the considered application of proven methods and techniques. Charlie meets the challenge of his own personal leadership crisis and emerges a winner. At first, however, Charlie saw his problem as one of deciding just what kind of leader to be. He tries on several different types of leadership personalities: "Good-time Charlie" to get .\leel (Jiarlie: (in arliulUj-ja-shionid puppet in "Folloic the Lcddcr" who rrco^nizcs the importance of sound objectives (he's the hero) . . . "Or maybe you ought to be li)uj;li . . . di i i.siic . . . C.lwrlir the ('.real . . . f^ct ihciii to ohcy ijoii with no questions asked (and no quarter giveni) . . . ntil hn How docs energy get lost,-' Sn !;/ir\ it Liits locked up inside . . . frozen encrf^y . chilled by criticism and immobilized by inner Ji>ubts . . . Positive leadership ttuikrs ciUTHij (mnhdAe for work and available to do the job at liand. It's a key factor in tlw film "Follow the Leader." people to like him; "Chariie-the-Wisc" t win their respect; "Chadie-the-Great", touglde^ cisive, to get people to obey with no qucioni asked. Charlie Takes on Varied Personality Roj His adopting of these various personali" •' complete, down to appropriate costunu satisfying, if imaginary, remarks from hiiur.. ordinates: "That Chariie — what a scit f humor . . ."; "Ask Charlie — he knows answers . . ."; "Charlie's strict as they inic, but he's fair . . . ." Charlie, though, soon realizes that whcw's going to be is not as important as where 1 iutends to go. Without a good, strong ser o( direction ". . . he can't lead anybody anvMcre — except into confusion." The visualizati|i nf Charlie's sense of direction, of the pi: and objectives he establishes, and of the .... tion of them to the over-all goals of his mpany provides some of the most intc cinematographic effects of Follow the I . . . effects which result in some of the lost essential insights into the basic function ( $»• pervision. Charlie seems well on his w; success. Full Energy of the Group Is Essential His education isn't complete, however he discovers that the attaining of his an organization's goals is beyond the capaci ol any one person, that what is needed is th« full energy of the group," and that makirall the human energy at his disposal availab tt do the job is the special and primary re*» sibility of the supervisor-leader. Chariie learns of the pitfalls and barrier ha lie between the leader and his goals throih i gallery of old-fashioned leadership types. Ik demonstrate ably, if sadly, how the skill, bi ns and talent at their disposal are dissipate b] ineffectual supervisory methods. All of ksi "leaders" end up on the discard pile, fitl^ enough, but not before they provide CHl with ample reason to avoid their pathetic lb takes. Charlie's development in Follow the IfUi is swift but thorough. Objectives in sight in dcrstanding how best to utilize the strenLt' a others in achieving a common goal, Ch the personification of a new kind of k ti Representing as he does the tens of thoiM* of others who, properly motivated and t could assume with confidence the rc>, bilities of leadership, Charlie is nothing » than a significant part of the answer toJ» leadership crisis. How to Obtain This Picture for Group V Follow the leader was originally prod « by the Strauss Company for Pan Amciai World Airways where it is currently use ii their supervisory training programs, ton the Leader is now available for general d " bution. The jnirchase price of the film, togoc with a discussion guide, is $17.^.00. Prc\« can be arranged at a cost of $10.00 whii > applicable towards purchase. Henry Strau i Co., y\ West 53rd Street. New York Cityir the sole distributors. ' * * * vV Reviews of other current and useful 1^ are offered on pages 96, 108, 110, 116, ' and throughout the back pages of this i;* 90 BUSINESS SCREEN • 1*