Authors – Dr. Ajayya Kumar, Mohamad Abou-Zaki & Ghassan Khoury
If you have watched the Al Pacino starrer Scent of a Woman you would remember what a terrific force he was. It is movie that non only continues to stir conversations and discussions among film lovers, but one that also says a lot about what makes a great leader.
The 1992 classic Scent of a Woman moves at a relative slow pace most of the time, and its lead character, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade played by Al Pacino, exasperates you from the very first scene. Yet over time, thanks to an academy award winning performance and subtle gems hidden between the lines, he starts growing on you and transforms the feeling of antipathy into awe and admiration.
How about digging a bit for some lessons on what makes you a perfect leader?
1. Integrity and courage
Charles Simms, a student at the Baird School, is witness to a prank set up by his fellow students to humiliate the headmaster. Unlike his co-witness George, Charles isnt from a rich family and doesnt have wealthy parents to cover for him. The headmaster tries to coax them both into giving out the names of the culprits, but they refuse. During an open trial George caves in and suggests three names, adding that he is unsure as he wasnt wearing his contact lenses at the time of the incident. Charles on the other hand insists that he simply doesnt know, even when threatened by the headmaster to be expelled. It is at this time that the colonel stands up and launches into a passionate speech telling the entire college how Charles is a man of integrity and why every school should try to produce students like him.
Makers of men; creators of leaders; be careful what kind of leaders you’re producing’ here. I don’t know if Charlie’s silence here today is right or wrong. I’m not a judge or jury. But I can tell you this: he won’t sell anybody out to buy his future! And that, my friends, is called integrity! That’s called courage! Now that’s the stuff leaders should be made of, colonel thunders and the crowd of students breaks into an applause.
In the colonels words, Charlie chose to face the fire. He was not a snitcher. It was his integrity that prompted him to stay his ground and not inform on his classmates, even if they had never been to him earlier. He was a man of courage.
Al Pacinos character underlines the two biggest traits of a leader: integrity and courage.
It is often in times crisis that real leader gets revealed: at the first sight of trouble, the tendency of many in the top rungs is to let people go without batting an eyelid.
But what makes you a leader is your courage, conviction and integrity to stand up for your team. Because thats what is going to hold your people together and motivate them to work as a team. Set the example, give them a model to look up to.
Only if the rowers row in unison is your ship going to sail a long way battling the waves and storms ahead.
2. If you are tangled up, just tango on
The Colonel meets a young woman at a restaurant in New York. He invites her to tango with him, but she hesitates, blaming her lack of confidence on the discouragement of her boyfriend who termed Tango as hysterical. Im afraid I would make mistakes, she says. To which the colonel responds, If you are tangled up, just tango on. They go on to dance gracefully and put up a stylish performance. The woman, having overcome her fears, looks back at the colonel with gratitude as she walks away with her boyfriend.
In another scene, the colonel, depressed by the loss of his eyesight and feeling despised by most of his family for his boorish nature, prepares to commit suicide.
But Charles comes in the way of his plans. He doesnt let the colonel kill himself and reminds him of his own words if you are tangled up, just tango on!. The colonel asks him to give him one reason to live and he gives two – that he hasnt seen another man who tangos and drives a ferrari so well.
When you are afraid to do something, dont give up. Instead, attempt it. Because thats the best way to overcome your fears. And when you feel you are standing against a wall, take two steps back. Look inside you. You would still find those qualities inside you that led you so far. All they might need is a little polishing. Remind yourself what you are good at and nourish those skills. And then lead your pack ahead boldly.
3. The right path is always hard
As the duo is exploring New York, the colonel explains that there are two kinds of people – those who take cover in time of adversities and those who face it. Its better to take cover, the colonel advises. But Charles is not ready to sell his soul, no matter how big the hardships
True, the Colonel saves Charles from being expelled at the end. But if you look closer, the real hero of the movie, all along, is the 17-year-old Charles. He is not ready to inform on his classmates despite the threat of being expelled. He is not ready to give up on the colonel no matter how hard he comes on him. He is tenacious and wouldnt let the colonel kill himself. He doesnt flinch even when he is threatened to be shot. It’s Charles who saves the day every time, because its Charles who always chooses the right path.
During his speech in the open court, the colonel says, Now I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard. Now here’s Charlie. He’s come to the crossroads. He has chosen a path. It’s the right path. It’s a path made of principle — that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey.
When you took up your entrepreneurship journey, what was that value which guided you? What was the larger mission that drove you? What was your purpose? Do those principles still guide you or have you abandoned them midway to make it easier for yourself? The path to glory and greatness is hard. You will always find alternate paths that are easier. But they would not lead you to the destination you had in mind when you started off. So it’s up to you – choose the easier path and simply carry on, or choose the right path and embrace the true leader inside you.