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Leadership Lessons Form Dawn of The Planet of The Apes 2014
Leadership Lessons Form Dawn of The Planet of The Apes 2014
The beginning of the movie held a powerful scene of the apes hunting in the wild. Caesar tells
Blue Eyes not to move but he goes after one of the wild beasts. Chaos ensues as a brown bear
attacks Blue Eyes and the other apes have to come to his rescue.
Further in the movie, Blue Eyes quick action over thinking gets many apes, and people, into
trouble.
This is a great reminder for us to think before we act. Consider what the consequences could be
and who could be affected by the choices we make.
How many times do we make assumptions in our leadership without getting proof to backup our
claims? We’ll go headfirst into battle without verifying what we may face. We can’t continue to
do this. We’ve got to make wise and informed decisions.
During the bear attack, Blue Eyes is swiped by the bear’s massive claws, leaving a giant scar
across his chest. Koba, one of the other apes, tells him that scars can make you strong.
We’ve all got wounds from the past. Someone has double-crossed you or told a lie or tried to
usurp your leadership authority. These cause unseen scars upon our lives.
The choice is up to us whether or not we let the scars make us stronger or whether we let the
scars consume us.
Caesar was counseled to immediately make a decision regarding what to do. Instead of making a
hasty decision, Caesar has the wisdom to tell his followers that he will make the decision in the
morning.
We can’t make hasty decisions as leaders. We also can’t let our decisions drag out too long.
We’ve got to be willing to set a time limit on decision time.
5. Unknown –
If we can’t stick together, we lose everything
Unfortunately, I can’t remember who said this line but it rings true in leadership. Great leaders
know they have to stick together to be effective. You can’t have people who aren’t willing to do
what needs to be done.
He was also a vital member of the human party as he knew how to operate the water generated
power plant. Thus, Carver was needed for the mission to contact the apes and restart the power
plant.
As frustrating as it is, we will have to bring wrong people along with our team at times.
Sometimes their skills are that valuable. However, this doesn’t mean you need to keep them
around forever. You may need them for a single project and then separate ways. The key is to
know when you need them and when to let them go.
Caesar made the choice to allow the humans to come into their home and restore power. He had
the condition that all weapons be left behind. And we think that happens as the apes disarm the
humans.
During the mission to restore power to the city where the humans were staying, you could see the
tension with Carver. His hatred and animosity towards the apes continued to grow. And then it
happens.
Caesar’s son is playing with the humans when he goes to Carver’s tool box. Carver reacts and
pulls the baby ape away while taking out a hidden shotgun.
This choice was damaging to the humans as it reinforced the mindset of the humans are bad.
The people on your team can make bad choices that will negatively impact your reputation. Be
willing to deal with the problem promptly.
8. You Will Have To Put Your Trust In Those You Don’t Trust:
Caesar’s wife gave birth to a baby. Soon after giving birth, her health begins to decline. Then,
after incident with Carver, Ellie steps up to offer her assistance in healing Caesar’s wife.
As you can imagine, Caesar was hesitant to allow her to be near his wife. Yet he relents when he
realizes she may be their only hope.
9. Deceit Destroys:
Koba plans a coup of the ape kingdom and uses deceit to get his way. He shoots Caesar with a
gun he obtained from the armory and then plays it off as a human had shot Caesar.
This causes an uprising within the ape city and they decide to attack, cage, and kill the humans.
All the while their homes burn and their lives begin to fall apart.
Deceit is no way to lead. Using deceit to rally the troops only causes irreparable harm once the
lie has been found out.
Be willing to tell the truth, even when the truth is hard to tell.
They decide to bring Caesar back to the city and treat him there. Only one problem, there’s no
medical supplies nearby.
However, there are medical supplies in the city the apes had taken over. Malcolm makes the risky
decision to head into the city and get the needed medical supplies.
You’ll make many choices as a leader. Some will carry a great risk with them. You’ve got to be
willing to push past the fear that comes with risk and take the appropriate action.
Are you willing to be the leader who takes the blame for bad decisions or the actions of those on
your team? You should be willing.
Blue Eyes made many mistakes throughout the movie. He trusted those that shouldn’t have been
trusted. He helped lead a revolt. He didn’t listen.
But he comes around and knows he must help his father. He tells his father to let him help. He
knows what needs to be done.
Offer your help where you see help is needed. Don’t stand by idly. Do your part.
Never forget where you started. It’s not where you’re at now. It’s not necessarily where you need
to go again. But you can’t forget where you started.
Many people you’ll lead will be from that same spot. Give them the help they need to get where
you’re at now.