4 leadership lessons learned from ‘Dead Poets Society’

by Dan Oswald

With the recent tragic death of comedian and actor Robin Williams, my family and I decided to watch one of his many great films over the weekend, Dead Poets Society. The movie is about a group of boys at a private prep school. It’s there that they meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who is played by Williams. Keating encourages the boys to embrace their individualism, think independently, and pursue their passions. This leads them on a path of self-discovery that clashes with the rigid culture of the conservative institution they attend. Keating’s methods ultimately cost him his job, but they win him the respect and affection of his students.

In watching the movie, I was struck by the impact one person can have on the lives of others. Through Keating’s encouragement and leadership, the boys take risks, find their passions, and come to understand the importance of independent thinking. He was able to inspire his students to attempt and accomplish things they hadn’t even dared to dream about before.

Sure, I understand it’s only a movie and the characters aren’t real. But the script, written by Tom Schulman, is based on Schulman’s years at Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) in my hometown—Nashville, Tennessee. My guess is that Schulman encountered a teacher at MBA—or even a number of teachers—who provided the inspiration for the character played by Williams. People can have that type of impact on others’ lives. Think about a teacher, coach, pastor, mentor, boss, parent, or other person who has had a dramatic impact on your life—the path you’ve taken and what you’ve accomplished. Most of us can think of at least one.

As a manager, you’re in a position to help others reach their full potential. You can put them on a path that helps them discover their true talents. You can encourage them to aspire to greater heights than what they believe possible. You can inspire them to achieve their dreams. And Professor Keating provides lessons on how to accomplish that:

1. It’s not who you are but what you do that defines you. Keating conveys this message to his students because he doesn’t want them to be held back by preconceived ideas. It’s not about race, gender, age, or even experience. People are measured by what they accomplish. Keating encourages action on the part of his students. He wants them to relentlessly pursue their passions. Isn’t that what you want for the people on your team?
2. Act as if you have nothing to lose. Keating’s students are young boys with their lives in front of them, but he encourages risk-taking. He pushes his students to move outside their comfort levels. He consistently tries to demonstrate that the worst thing that can happen really isn’t all that bad. And through his encouragement, the boys discover that they are capable of so much more than they thought possible. Don’t you think your people are capable of more than what they’re doing today? Make it OK to take risks and fail, and you’ll be amazed at what they accomplish.
3. Change the angle. Keating tells his students that when you think you have something all figured out, it’s time to look at it from a new perspective. He encourages independent thinking. He wants his students to avoid conformity. We all work for organizations that have their own culture and where there is an established way of doing things—and maybe an established way of thinking. If you really want to break through the status quo, you need to get your people thinking in new and innovative ways. You need to get them looking at things from a new perspective. Warning: In the movie, it costs Keating his job, but it leaves an impression on a group of boys and changes their lives. That’s not a bad legacy.
4. Carpe diem—seize the day. Keating tells his students to seize the day. It’s OK to talk and dream, but in the end, it’s action that will allow you to grab the prize. You must encourage action in your people. All of the talking, planning, and strategizing will get you nowhere unless you put them into action. I constantly talk about the employees in our company who are action-oriented. I don’t care that they tend to make more mistakes or pursue endeavors that don’t work out because they’re making something happen. You need to convince your people to seize the day. The time we waste today is gone forever.

It’s amazing to me the lessons of management that can be garnered from watching a movie like Dead Poets Society. As a manager, it’s your job to get the most from the people who work for you. You need to inspire them to follow their passions and chase their dreams, and you need to help them do it. Don’t ever underestimate the impact you can have on someone’s life, and don’t waste the opportunity to act on it.