Leadership in Invictus

Running head: LEADERSHIP IN INVICTUS
Leadership in Invictus
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1LEADERSHIP IN INVICTUS
Leadership refers to the art of motivation of a group of people that can help in the
achievement of a common goal. Leadership can help in providing inspiration to others and
effective leadership is on the basis of ideas. Invictus refers to a American- South African
sports film that came out in the year 2009. It was a sports drama that was directed by that of
Clint Eastwood. This essay focusses on the key facts within the film and describes the
character of the leader along with is leadership style. It reviews the responsible leadership
theory and contextual situation within Invictus that can pave the path for responsible
leadership.
Nelson Mandela was released from the Victor Verster Prison after he has spent 27
years within the jail. Mandela becomes the President of the South Africa and his presidency
had to face large amount of changes in that of post-Apartheid period. Mandela becomes
concerned regarding the racial divisions that existed in between the black along with the
white South Africans. Ill-will was harboured between the two groups and there was mutual
distrust in between the parties. In the event of Mandela attending the game between that of
Springboks along with England, Mandela witnessed the fact that black people were engaged
in cheering the people within England. The white Springboks represented the aspect of
prejudice within their mind. Mandela was instrumental in arranging a meeting of the South
African sports Committee that could support that of the Springboks (Fernando and Sim
2011). He met with Francois Pienaar and he felt that the victory of Springboks can prove to
be a great step in uniting the nation. The black people felt that the Springboks represented
that of the white supremacy. Mandela along with Piennar felt that this game can help in
uniting South African country. The Springboks defeated Australia in the opening match
(Knights and O’Leary 2006). Piennar motivated his team for that of the final. Mandela
arrived on the field and he was wearing that of a Springbok cap. Springboks beat that of the
All Blacks with the help of a goal from Stransky. Mandela along with Piennar came together

2LEADERSHIP IN INVICTUS
for the celebration of the victory. Mandela handed Piennar Ellis Cup that signalled the fact
that Springboks were the world champions.
The movie “Invictus” bears testimony to responsible leadership theory that showed
Mandela portraying the role of that of President of the South Africa. Mandela could influence
people within South Africa by exhibiting traits of extravert leader with a lot of integrity. The
two characteristics of extravert are that they are assertive along with being energetic people.
Mandela in the course of this film displayed the traits of being an extravert leader. In the
event of Mandela greeting people, there was always a genuine smile on his face and he had
good intentions for everyone whom he met (Pless and Maak 2011). The people who worked
for Nelson Mandela had to always smile for portraying a atmosphere that is welcoming.
Mandela was a social person and he attended all rugby tournaments. His magnetic personality
was revealed to every person with whom he maintained contact. Mandela shook the hands of
the players at every tournament and he used to be in the stand so that he could greet the fans
of the game. Mandela was instrumental in leading the country with a great amount of
integrity. Nelson Mandela had strong values that helped him in winning Presidency election
within South Africa (Doh and Quigley 2014). The strong integrity of Nelson Mandela helped
in uniting the country. He had to face many hardships but he continued to lead his people.
The family of Mandela did not confirm to the viewpoint of Mandela and hence he had to lose
his family.
The responsible theory of leadership stresses on the fact that the traits of the leader are
innate and these traits are imbibed in the individuals since the time of birth. It harps on the
fact that a leader is endowed with certain traits like being assertive, co-operative, energetic
and self-confident that helps him in acting in a responsible manner towards many
stakeholders. The skills that a leader has pertains to being clever and conceptually skilled.
Nelson Mandela displayed these traits that helped him in emerging as a successful leader who