Watching Invictus for the first time for this assignment, I’m struck by a story to be so meaningful on multiple layers. First, the South African rugby team and their surprising victory in the 1995 World Cup of Rugby. Second, the beautiful friendship and inspiration shared between Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar, captain of the Springboks. And third, Mandela’s own journey from prisoner to president.
The outcome of the central plot of the movie is the World Cup victory of South Africa on their home soil in 1995. The result of Mandela’s transformational leadership and his ability to inspire Pienaar and those around him was this team’s unexpected win. In this story, the tangible result of transformational leadership is this monumental victory.
Even though Mandela’s leadership may be as concrete an example of transformational leadership factors (Northouse, 2016, p. 169-171), leadership is often seen as an abstract concept which is hard to define. The Springboks’ World Cup win reminds me that helping others to achieve a common goal should be a clear motivation in my leadership.
This goal of a World Cup victory in South Africa was achieved through a team of players who had been inspired to reach new heights by their captain, Francois Pienaar. Mandela plays a significant role in helping Pienaar understand the power of inspiration as a leader for his team.
During their first meeting over tea, Mandela’s questions lead to deeper conversation of how to inspire Pienaar’s team to “get them to be better than they think they can be” (Peckham & Eastwood, 2009, 48:00).
This scene was a reminder for me of the power of asking good questions, encouraging those I lead to think deeply about the role they play in leading others. Even the setting of the conversation, not among a large group of people but instead two great leaders in a room together, sharing tea, speaks to the significance of this powerful conversation. Pienaar leaves inspired to lead the Springboks to victory.
Mandela’s ability to have these conversations and inspire leaders like Pienaar comes from his own brutally difficult journey. As the movie shows, Mandela’s convictions as president cannot be understood without seeing his suffering as a prisoner on Robben Island. His commitment to seeing transformation happen across South Africa becomes stronger because of the hardships he endured.
Although my own suffering and hardships would pale in comparison to Mandela’s, no life is free from pain. As a leader, seeing this journey of Mandela from the pain of prison to the power of the presidency is a reminder that the lessons we learn in difficulty become so significant as we help others become more than they ever thought possible. I believe this is shown best by the outcome of the conversation between Mandela and Pienaar over tea, ultimately that the South African rugby team was able to overcome all odds to win the World Cup of Rugby and bring the beginning of hope and healing to their country.
Reference
Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice, Eighth Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Peckham, A. (Producer), & Eastwood, C. (Director). (2009). Invictus [Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Bros.