The leaders are people who take responsibility. First and foremost the responsibility is visible in unusual situations that require non-standard solutions. These decisions are always risky. In such situations, there is no ideal and simple solution - the leader should be able to make sacrifices. The leader should be able to take responsibility for the results of his actions and decisions.
In “Bridge of Spies” James Donovan is an insurance agent, a former lawyer with a good reputation. He has to protect the Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel, to present the United States as a country that fights for the rights of any person, even enemies. James is told that it is just an ostentatious protection, the fate of Rudolf has been already decided. But he is ready to defend his rights by all the rules. James is ready to go to the end. Persistence is the ability to remain faithful to the goal, the idea, the problem, despite the failures and obstacles. Achievement of the goal may require several attempts, but it develops the strength of character.
The scenario depicts the struggle of one man with a hyperbolised system of American values, which is so vehemently going to harm international relations in every area of life.
In those days, as never before, there was a tension between the two camps: the USSR and the USA. James Donovan understands that the system is a system, but human life is priceless. Pursuing such selfless goal, a person puts himself above the system and does great things. Human relationships should not be established within the system, which takes into account politics, nationality, race, colour, commitment to social stream, and other temporal criteria. The attitude must always be humane because political views, ideology, and wars are a temporary phenomenon.
This belief makes Donovan a "black sheep" in the world of high politics, strange to an average man. People look disapprovingly at him, all America, gripped by fear of nuclear war hates Abel. Even little son, under the influence of political information and school rescue plan in the case of bombing, asks why his daddy defends the enemy.
However, Donovan protects not the enemy, but a human. And the law: the lawyer is fundamentally not interested in whether Abel really is a spy, he strives to provide his client the constitutionally guaranteed right to defence. He does not do it formally, but honestly, surprising the lawyers, the CIA, and even his own family.
True leaders are distinguished by a certain inner condition which is characterized by fusion of such psychological properties as self-confidence, determination, perseverance, the ability to take a punch, overcome barriers, and take responsibility in difficult situations. A leader must be principled in all aspects, be able to resist the pressure from both the top and bottom, consistently and firmly stand his ground, do not hide his views, defend to the end the values in which he believes, help others to acquire these values through a personal example, and keep the given word.
In this movie, James is a man, who still has comprehension and compassion for people. He does not hurry to make a decision to please the country.
The problem is only a problem for someone who is looking at the situation as a problem. It is subjective. Objectively, the situation can open new opportunities.
Abel was convicted and sentenced to death, but the court commuted the death sentence. Donovan ensured them that Abel can be useful in future. Later, appeared the possibility of exchanging Rudolf Abel for the American spy plane pilot Francis Powers. The leaders have the ability to find elegant and simple solutions to complex problems. That is why in Germany, James is concerned not only about the fate of one arrested pilot, but the fate of another American. Now, when he is a respected representative of the government, he has changed the rules one more time. He wants to do more, to make the best deal possible, even if it is risky. It is his legal and moral duty to help both Americans.
The moral duty means that a person wants morality and duty requirements to be his personal challenge. It is an individual choice of the person, the US citizen, and professional. It often happens that this kind of responsibility is difficult for the leader - he is facing many challenges. The supreme manifestation of moral duty is the process of overcoming conflicts and adherence to morality and conscience.
Donovan organized this exchange and that was a beginning of new relationships in the Cold War. The Glienicke Bridge gained worldwide fame. After that deal, at least four times arrested spies were exchanged between Soviet and American intelligence agencies.
The leader is an official acting in the environment on behalf of the group (in this situation on behalf of the USA). Very valuable leadership skill is the ability to bring any deal to the end. The basement of the leadership is an idea, a vision of potential change, which has a strong impact on the followers. The leader leads not because it is superior to the other in a particular activity, but because he is able to share an idea that reflects its vital sense. For example, it could be a better lawyer protecting Abel, but he would not start such a great process of exchange.
James Donovan is a type of bright and strong leader. In his personality is concentrated the power of an outstanding strategist, the willing to embody the grandiose ideas into reality, responsible approach and strong personality, which directs everyone to the diplomatic barricades.
References
Bridge of Spies. (2015). United States.
