Twelve O’clock High Pressure Point (1964)
Introduction
“Twelve O’clock High” is actually a war film. It is about the aircrews in U.S Eight Air force Army who actually flew in daylight bombing operations against the Nazi Germany and also occupied France in early days of the American involvement in the WWII. It is a world winning film since it has been nominated for 4 academy Awards and out of them it has won 2. This film has essentially been utilized as a case study in a variety of civilian and military leadership training seminars for a number of years. For that reason, this film is regularly used like an example in stimulating the discussions with respect to the styles of leadership and effectiveness.
After watching its episode in class, one can analyze the leadership challenge that is faced by General Frank Savage. A military action that is successful and in particular during war times, possesses a good leadership that is fundamental. In situations like this, the leaders are actually tailored from the challenges that they go through or face. These leaders possess a noteworthy effect on outcomes since they interact with resources, information, diverse people, and environment.
One of leadership styles that Savage portrays in this film is charismatic style. Despite his actions appearing as degrading, he is really on the right track. A leader who is charismatic is said to be assertive, unconventional, and radical. This type of a leader generally serves like an agent of change. General Frank Savage in this film comes to realize that Gately has a potential to become a competent officer and pilot, bit needs a wake- up call. His desire is for this man that is, Gately to actually transform from a selfish state to a selfless state. Therefore, a leader who is charismatic possesses the transformational tendencies and when we watch this film we realize that Savage exactly transforms this.
Through enforcing the strong professional ethic, General Savage challenges men having high standards together with offering them a sense of purpose and guidance. The inner belief of this general is that he understands the needs and hopes of the unit. In addition, he intensely believes that values that are shared are crucial in winning the commitment and loyalty of his followers. He was in a position to turn around 918th since he successfully met his followers’ needs. In addition, he was able to tailor his leadership style to match to his followers.’ building phase. Consequently, the unit was transformed into a productive and effective fighting machine.
In spite of realizing the success by his exceptional skills in leadership, he failed in some occasions. As the movie starts, he has a habit of exercising an autocratic style of leadership when he leads through authority and additionally acts without substantial participation. Thus, this leadership style didn’t allow dialog or communication between General Savage and his followers. Therefore, this encouraged immense opposition from the officers. This leadership style thus demoralized officers hence prohibited them from offering their best towards the achievement of the overall group goals and objectives.
His decision making style can be described as directive. A common characteristic of individuals who have this style is essentially the low tolerance for the ambiguity that they have. In addition, they make decisions quickly. This general makes all decisions and also instructs his followers on what needs to be done. When they succeed in their second mission, he decides to embrace a leadership style that is more participative hence a decision making style that is collaborative.
One of the critical components of leadership is communication. Therefore, a leader who is effective is supposed to possess exemplary communication skills. Various barriers to effective communication exist. In this film, we observe projection as a communication barrier between Savage and the followers under him. He tends to shoulder that his followers share his thoughts, characteristics, and feelings. A scene that proves this is in a meeting where he disagrees with Davenport on holding of transfers. It is this disagreement that forces him to dismiss Davenport of command. Thus, we can conclude that he assumed Davenport was sharing his thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, this act of sacking officers who disagree with him is actually an autocratic leadership style characteristic.
In a nut shell, the success of a team or a group largely depends on the effective leadership. Leaders use dissimilar leadership styles so as to gear a group of their followers towards their attainment of vital goals of vision. In the film, it is obvious that Savage embraces the charismatic leadership style in leading his juniors.
