Management Chapter 2 1 Instructor Resource Rowe Cases Leadership Sage Publications Inc Case Notes Case Invictus

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Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Case Notes

Case 2.2: Invictus: Introducing Leadership Competencies, Character and

Commitment

Gerard Seijts, Jeffrey Gandz and Mary Crossan wrote this teaching note as an aid to instructors

in the classroom use of the case Invictus: Introducing Leadership Competencies, Character and

Commitment, No. 9B14C016. This teaching note should not be used in any way that would

prejudice the future use of the case.

This publication may not be transmitted, photocopied, digitized or otherwise reproduced in any

form or by any means without the permission of the copyright holder. Reproduction of this

material is not covered under authorization by any reproduction rights organization. To order

copies or request permission to reproduce materials, contact Ivey Publishing, Ivey Business

Teaching Note

Synopsis

A multidisciplinary group of faculty from the Ivey Business School examined the leadership

failures and successes relating to the global financial and economic crisis of 2007 to 2009. They

engaged more than 300 senior business, public sector and not-for-profit leaders from across

Canada, New York, London and Hong Kong in open discussions on the role that organizational

leadership played before, during and after the crisis.

The results of the 18-month investigation was a statement of principles—a manifesto that

addresses what good leaders do, who they are and how they can be developed in organizations. A

key conclusion from the research is that when it comes to leadership, competencies count,

character matters and commitment to the role of leadership is critical to individual and

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Preparation

The movie Invictus1 provides a truly brilliant illustration of not only the competencies required to

lead but also the leader character and commitment that are needed to lead during trying times.

There is no need to view the movie prior to the session; in fact, the session works best if

participants have not seen it but watch it together. The only preparation is to read Leadership on

Trial: A Manifesto for Leadership Development or the articles based on the book (see Case, p. 3

and Suggested Readings below).

The movie is based on the book “Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and The Game that

Made Nation” written by John Carlin. The book provides an in depth historical account of

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Suggested Video

ESPN 30 for 30—“The 16th Man.” This documentary showcases the South African “Springbok”

National Rugby Team and its impact on South Africa’s transition from segregation to

Objectives of the Session

The movie Invictus can be used to illustrate (or give meaning to) leadership competencies,

character and commitment. The movie can be shown in its entirety or selected clips can be used

in the classroom. The objective of the session is threefold:

• To identify the competencies, character and commitment associated with good

leadership: what good leaders do and who good leaders are.

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Timeline for Movie Scenes and Analysis

We start the session by explaining the background of Leadership on Trial: A Manifesto for

Leadership Development and some of its main conclusions, highlighting the “3 Cs” of

leadership. We then introduce the movie and tell students and participants that we will be

0:00:00–0:06:50: “It is a legitimate question.”

Mandela sees the headline of the newspaper. What about his response to the aggressive headline?

What does his response suggest about his leadership? He shows great self-awareness. He knows

he carries a great burden and that he has to balance white fears and black aspirations. He is

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

0:06:50–0:11:55: “Our country will be a shining light in the world.”

This is Mandela’s first day on the job. This scene has a number of compelling quotes including

“Please assemble all the staff for me. All those who haven’t already left” and “We look to the

future now. We need your help.” Mandela could have waited a day or so to communicate with

the staff, but he does it now. Why?

Mandela has an immediate grasp of people’s concerns, including the white people who are

packing their boxes because they fear being fired (character dimension of Judgment—he is

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

0:11:55–0:17:23: “Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear.”

In this scene, Mandela makes his security people, who expected him to fire the white former

special branch officers, work with them. He shows a great deal of Transcendence by having a

sense of purpose, future orientation and optimism. He is perceptive, saying to his security head,

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

0:17:23–0:20:30: “Thank you for honouring our new flag.”

Mandela attends the rugby game against England. He is booed by the crowd, which is no

surprise—it is composed of Afrikaners, who did not vote for him. Rugby has always been the

white men’s game in South Africa whereas blacks have a passion for soccer. Mandela is unfazed

0:20:30–0:24:15: “This could be the last time we have to look at the green and gold.”

England is beating the South African team, the Springboks. The divide between black and white

is remarkable. The whites cheer for the Springboks (and most fans carry the old Apartheid flag)

and the blacks cheer for England. A representative from the National Sports Council tells

Mandela about the plan to make a new start by dropping the colours, emblem and name of the

team.

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

0:24:15–0:27:56: “For them the Springboks still represent Apartheid.”

This scene illustrates two issues. First, it shows some insight into Mandela’s personal life. His

daughter has cancelled her visit to him, but we don’t know why. When Mandela’s assistant tells

him the news, his face expresses intense disappointment. It is well-known that Mandela fell short

0:27:56–0:36:42: Human calculation.

This is a critical scene. Mandela arrives at the meeting of the National Sports Council whose

membership has just voted to abolish the colours, emblem and the Springbok name. Mandela

believes that the decision is a mistake and says so. We see respectful disagreement with his

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

0:36:42–0:37:55: “You’re right, it tastes like shit.”

There is no need to stop the movie in class here, but this short scene illustrates a few things.

First, we see François Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks, in action for the first time and his

attitude toward winning and losing (Drive and Accountability). He does not want to accept

0:37:55– 0:42:59: Invitation.

This five-minute segment highlights three issues. First, we see Mandela on the road, trying to

entice foreign nations to invest financially in South Africa. White skepticism is still rampant.

Second, the personal sacrifice of leadership is illustrated. One of the white guards asks Mandela

about his family, and Mandela responds that he has a very large family—42 million people. He

understands he is responsible for them all (Humanity, Justice, Accountability). The pain on his

0:42:49–0:51:18: “François, what an honour! I am so excited.”

Instructor Resource

Rowe, Cases in Leadership 5e

SAGE Publications, Inc., 2019

Pienaar has been invited by Mandela for tea. He can only guess about the purpose of the

meeting. Mandela wants to meet Pienaar to discuss his vision (character dimension of

Transcendence, i.e., inspired, future-oriented): rugby as a catalyst for change in South Africa, to

facilitate the healing of the Apartheid-torn country. Can Pienaar be trusted to work with him to