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poem, “Invictus,” that gave him Courage (determined, resilient). Mandela tells Pienaar, “We
need inspiration, François. In order to build our nation, we must all exceed our own
expectations” (Accountability and Transcendence). Pienaar meets his girlfriend afterwards and
0:51:18–0:56:49: “You will be conducting coaching clinics in townships”
In order to realize his vision for building the new South Africa, Mandela gains the support of
Pienaar. Being an advocate for Mandela requires a different kind of leadership—and challenges
that he faces on a day-to-day basis—than Pienaar has experienced as the captain of a rugby team.
The president of South African rugby announces to the team that they will be conducting
coaching clinics in townships all over the country. He explains that the request “came from the
top, the very top.” It is clear that it wasn’t his idea to run these clinics and that he expects push
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0:56:49–1:01:07: “That picture is worth any number of speeches.”
The team reluctantly visits a township, which proves to be an eye-opener for some of the players
who have never before been in one. The kids swarm around Chester Williams, the only person of
color on the team. Pienaar lets Chester lead. The captain does not need be in control all the time!
1:01:07–1:06:57: “Song we need.”
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Pienaar encourages the team to learn the national anthem, but he backs off when he is pushed by
some of his teammates (Judgment). He makes it optional. He leaves them with a hard-hitting
1:06:57–1:07:46: Interview
Interviewed on television about the upcoming World Cup, Mandela is asked why he cheered for
teams other than the Springboks in the past. He is honest and says, “If I cannot change when
circumstances demand it, how can I expect others to?” He demonstrates that he is flexible and
open-minded and, again, models the behavior he would like to see in his fellow countrymen
1:07:46–1:11:00: Inspirational visit at Silvermines training ground
Mandela visits the team during their final practice before the game against Australia. He takes
time out of his very busy schedule to meet with the players; it is not an official visit and the visit
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Pienaar: “Before the opening match he came to our training sessions at Silvermines in
Cape Town to say hi, flew in by helicopter and greeted everyone. We call it Madiba4
Magic, he has got magic, he’s got such an aura. I was so blown away by his humility.”
1:11:00–1:16:41: Round one: Australia
The Springboks beat Australia, deemed to be a powerhouse in their pool, and everybody—
Mandela, the team and the country—is celebrating. But the coach calls for a 6 a.m. run. Why?
The players must maintain focus, control and discipline (Temperance). The road to the final
1:16:41–1:28:46: “This rugby—it is still strictly political?”
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The team visits Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island. There is no bed in the cell, just a thin
blanket on the floor and a chair. The poem “Invictus” is recited with its inspirational last lines: “I
am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul.”5
1:28:46–1:29:16: Four tickets for the final
Pienaar brings home four tickets for the family, including the black maid. This shows inclusivity,
that even the skeptical white family is changing.
1:29:16–1:31:00: “This country is hungry for greatness.”
Mandela and a representative from the South African National Sports Council discuss the
upcoming final between South Africa and New Zealand, which the New Zealand team is
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1:31:00–1:44:00: “Your country is proud.”
On the day of the game, the crowd in the stadium is excited and many people, blacks and whites,
are watching on television at home or in bars. This scene is truly is a dramatic part in the movie
for a number of reasons. First, the number of the “rainbow nation” flags is overwhelming; even
many Afrikaners have painted the flag on their faces or bodies. Second, the crowd screams,
1:44:00–1:52:56: The game
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1:52:56–1:55:28: “This is our destiny!”
In overtime play, we see the determination of his team (Drive). They contain Jonah Lomu, an
almost super-human player. The team falls behind early in overtime. But Pienaar finally found
his voice. He is intensely aware of the situation around him. The crowd is unstoppable in its
1:55:28–2:05:07: End
South Africa wins the World Cup by 15 to 12 in overtime—mission accomplished for Mandela
and Pienaar!
A reporter tells Pienaar that the team could not have won without the support of 63,000
fans. Pienaar corrects him by explaining that the team had the support of 43 million South
Africans. The lesson? Share the success!
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Conclusion
The discussion can be brought to a close with five general observations.
1. The movie illustrates leadership competencies, character and commitment, with an
emphasis on the commitment and leader character of Mandela and Pienaar. Exhibit 3
highlights some themes that tend to be discussed during the class discussions; these
2. The movie focuses on two different leaders, that is, Mandela and Pienaar. The
leadership framework is essential for both even though the respective tasks they
perform, and the challenges they face, differ. Mandela is focused on societal change
3. What is perhaps most unique about Mandela’s character is that he exhibits so many
different dimensions of character that are not as evident in other leaders, such as
Transcendence, Temperance, Humanity and Humility. These have often been viewed
4. We see the development of character in Pienaar and his teammates. Character
5. The scrutiny to which we have subjected Mandela and Pienaar is similar to how the
people we work for, or that we lead, make attributions about our competencies,
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Exhibit TN-1
Mandela’s Competencies, Commitment and Character
Competencies
Commitment
Character
• Visioning and future
orientation
• Communication
• Gaining support and
influence
• Collaboration
• Expectation setting
and motivation
• Raising the bar
• Building trust and
trusting
• Relationship building
• Leading by example
and living the values
• Sharing the success
• Going into the stands
and giving thanks for
the flag
• Learned the names of
the players and visited
the training camp
• Wearing the number 6
Springbok shirt
• Doing the hard work of
leadership, exhaustion
• Multi-tasking:
Mandela has lots of
promises to keep
• The price of
leadership: sacrifice
and loneliness
• The willingness to
• Compassion
• Generosity
• Empathy
• Calm and composed
• Restraint and patience
• Courage and
confidence
• Principled
• Results oriented
• Humble and grounded
• Sincere
• Humility
• Determined
• Flexible and open-
Exhibit TN-2
The Effective Leader
Exhibit TN-3
Character Dimensions and Elements
Source: Gandz, J., Crossan, M., Seijts, G., & Reno, M. (2013). Leadership character and corporate governance. Director 167, May–