1. Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership- LOST
The "Live Together, Die Alone" speech in lost may be one of my favorite TV monologues of all time. Also, to just throw it out there, LOST is literally may favorite TV show ever. I think leadership is often revealed when it takes a tremendous amount of courage to brave through pain. The characters in this show are survivors of a plane crash and this is a monologue from season 1 that really encompasses all five practices on a verbal level. Jack, the speaker, sets a shared vision of cooperation and models the way for what behavior should look like. While this really highlights the first two practices, I still believe that it is a great example of leadership. He definitely Models the Way, and Inspires a Shared Vision.
"If we can't live together, we are going to die alone."
2. Transactional and Transformational Leadership- Louder than Words
If you did not know this about me, I absolutely love musical theatre. Now, I don't mean that I enjoy going to see musical theatre, but I legitimately day dream about being on stage and being an amazing musician/actor/dancer/crazy triple threat. The song I wanted to post to talk about Transactional and Transformational Leadership is called "Louder than Words" from the musical "Tick Tick Boom", which is by the same man who wrote Rent. This song is a call for courageous action, and encourages the thought that actions truly do speak louder than words. Transformational and transactional leadership both call for a serious look at action in the world and its ability to inspire those around you with them. While transformational fits this more, transactional leadership still supports the idea of "outcome-inducing" leadership. Lyrics are posted below :)
"What does it take, to wake up a generation? How can YOU make someone take off and fly?"
Why do we play with fire?
Why do we run our finger through the flame?
Why do we leave our hand on the stove-
Although we know we're in for some pain?
Oh, why do we refuse to hang a light
When the streets are dangerous?
Why does it take an accident
Before the truth gets through to us?
Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds.
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words.
Why should we try to be our best
When we can just get by and still gain?
Why do we nod our heads
Although we know
The boss is wrong as rain?
Why should we blaze a trail
When the well worn path seems safe and
Jonathan and Susan:
So inviting?
How-as we travel, can we
See the dismay-
And keep from fighting?
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words
What does it take
To wake up a generation?
How can you make someone
Take off and fly?
If we don't wake up
And shake up the nation
We'll eat the dust of the world
Wondering why
Why do we stay with lovers
Who we know, down deep
Just aren't right?
Why would we rather
Put ourselves through hell
Than sleep alone at night?
Why do we follow leaders who never lead?
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution?
If we're so free, tell me why?
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed?
Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds.
Fear or love, baby, don't say the answer,
Actions speak louder than words.
3. Spiritual and Value Based Leadership- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
So I would be lying if I said that I did not need to reach for a box of tissues every time this scene comes on in this movie... yes folks, I do cry at Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, and if you have not seen it, you totally should! I copied the text from the dialogue underneath the video, but in short, this is a point in the movie where Mr. Magorium, a man who has been alive for hundreds of years, realizes that it is his time to go. He leaves with what may be one of the most beautiful monologues in movie history. He essentially stresses how the important thing in the concept of death is the life lived prior to it, and the importance of truly living a personally meaningful life and the value of our existence.
In the words of Mr. Magorium, "Your life is an occasion... rise to it."
"When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words.I've lived all five of my acts, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest "He died."
That is all for now :)
Make the world better,
Anooj
Anooj,
ReplyDeletePhenominal video choices. I have never gotten into Lost, although I have tried several times, but I hear that it is one of the best shows of all time. The speech that Jack makes reminds me a lot of a concept we discussed in my philosophy class this week. Buddha talked about how the things that we consider wrong with our lives or complain about are not surprises, we know they already exist. Instead of choosing to accept everything that comes in our life, we decide to complain about things that we have no control over and we have the delusion that the impossible can somehow become the possible. The biggest difference between a delusion and a illusion is that once an illusion is identified, it no longer exists. However, a delusion can be proven as false but we continue to believe in it; and that's how the characters in Lost were viewing their situation. They wanted to believe in the impossible and refused to accept the horrific situation they were in despite it being very real. Jack brings this to their attention, which given the circumstances, is a very difficult thing to do.
I loved the other two monologues as well and you have definitely convinced me to watch Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
Crowley Out