BackThe best film on leadership I have seen: Jean Charles Thuard
Jean Charles Thuard, CEO of the Indian unit at Legrand talks about the film 'Paths of Glory' that inspired him
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Jean Charles Thuard, chief executive officer of the Indian unit at electrical installation company Legrand SA, says Paths of Glory, a 1957 American anti-war film by Stanley Kubrick, has inspired him the most.
Thuard saw the movie 20 years ago and it reminds him about the qualities of devotion, commitment and leadership.
This movie is based on actual incidents that took place during World War I. It is the story of a military division led by Colonel Dax, essayed by Kirk Douglas. The soldiers of this division refuse to go for a suicidal attack and later face court martial and death sentence because of their actions.
The protagonist, Thuard says, remained the voice of his hierarchy in front of his soldiers and had to find the words to convince and motivate them to execute orders given by his bosses. There are key lessons that emerge out in this classic movie, he says. It denounces what men driven by ambition are capable of, which includes knowingly sending people to death only to serve their personal interest.
“In a company, the rules are the rules. They could concern strategy, performance assessment, ethics, etc.," Thuard says. “As a leader, you have to explain these rules, ensure that they are understood, respected and properly implemented by your subordinates and the organization."
“If you feel that these rules, instructions or guidelines are not suitable or must be adapted for your entity, your country or for your people, then you must challenge these instructions with your hierarchy," he says. “It is imperative for the leader to defend your own people in the line of fire even if they did not act completely in the compulsory way."
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