Saturday, December 30, 2006
Battle of Britain & El Cid – Lessons for our leaders.
These two films have some good scenes two of which I shall draw to your attention. I really wish certain (almost all) of our political and religious leaders would study these and thereby improve their leadership skills.
The first is from the Battle of Britain film, it’s just after Dunkirk, and the German ambassador to Switzerland goes to visit his British counterpart in the expectation of the acceptance of the German peace terms.
The British ambassador is small and balding, wearing a tweed jacket, and always reminds me somewhat of Peter Rabbit. The German ambassador is tall and well proportioned, his sleek silver hair swept back and he reminds me of a wolf. Brilliant casting. The German is sure of his ground, he expects the British to agree to terms and what’s more the British ambassador appears intimidated and frightened by the German.
Despite this obvious fear no doubt for his country, as well as what seems to be a personal fear of the German, the British ambassador masters himself and sticks to his position. He refuses to accept the German terms, despite both parties knowing that Britain has no real defences left; it is the German who leaves discomfited. That is an important part of what true courage consists of; it is when you are afraid, and you master the fear and stick to your position; even and especially if you know within yourself you cannot win. This spirit was seen not just in the film, but during the war itself, and I quote words from Captain Langsdorff the German Captain of the Graf Spee (made into another film the Battle of the River Plate): “You English are hard. You do not know when you are beaten. The Exeter was beaten, but would not know it!”
Can you imagine that being said of our political leaders today? Rather than turn and face anything, when confronted they’re more likely to crush each other in the rush to run up the white flag. Yet, and this is what amazes me, they rarely if ever have to actually face any real danger; the crew of The Exeter, engaged the Graf Spee, took hits and damage, but still carried on fighting, until finally forced to withdraw. In the film the British ambassador doesn’t mouth platitudes to placate the German, on being told if they don’t agree to terms the Germans will simply march in and take the country, he tells them straight - words to the effect: “if you can do that then go ahead”. Today of course our leaders don’t have to face anything of that magnitude or danger, but surrender seems the only thing they know. This brings me nicely on to El Cid.
Towards the end of that film, the hero El Cid, knows he must go and ride out into battle in order to rally the troops, but he’s dying (I think he’s been poisoned or wounded or something). Knowing that if he rides out, he’ll soon be done for, and in falling of his horse the men will be disheartened, he has a rod of iron fastened to his back, and he is tied to his horse, so he can ride out without danger of falling off.
Any modern leaders reading this (yeah right) perhaps thinking that sometimes they lack the courage they need to stand up to something, can simply borrow the example from El Cid. No need to go to extremes with a rod of iron, a simple stave of stout English Oak will suffice, strap it to your back and see how much better you will function. No matter if it’s a question of standing up for your principles (after you've found some), facing a hostile crowd (oh wait you’re not likely to face any crowd), or dealing with the lovely media, the stave of oak will help you considerably.
No need to thank me, it’s all part of the service.
Happy & Prosperous New Year to all my readers.
The first is from the Battle of Britain film, it’s just after Dunkirk, and the German ambassador to Switzerland goes to visit his British counterpart in the expectation of the acceptance of the German peace terms.
The British ambassador is small and balding, wearing a tweed jacket, and always reminds me somewhat of Peter Rabbit. The German ambassador is tall and well proportioned, his sleek silver hair swept back and he reminds me of a wolf. Brilliant casting. The German is sure of his ground, he expects the British to agree to terms and what’s more the British ambassador appears intimidated and frightened by the German.
Despite this obvious fear no doubt for his country, as well as what seems to be a personal fear of the German, the British ambassador masters himself and sticks to his position. He refuses to accept the German terms, despite both parties knowing that Britain has no real defences left; it is the German who leaves discomfited. That is an important part of what true courage consists of; it is when you are afraid, and you master the fear and stick to your position; even and especially if you know within yourself you cannot win. This spirit was seen not just in the film, but during the war itself, and I quote words from Captain Langsdorff the German Captain of the Graf Spee (made into another film the Battle of the River Plate): “You English are hard. You do not know when you are beaten. The Exeter was beaten, but would not know it!”
Can you imagine that being said of our political leaders today? Rather than turn and face anything, when confronted they’re more likely to crush each other in the rush to run up the white flag. Yet, and this is what amazes me, they rarely if ever have to actually face any real danger; the crew of The Exeter, engaged the Graf Spee, took hits and damage, but still carried on fighting, until finally forced to withdraw. In the film the British ambassador doesn’t mouth platitudes to placate the German, on being told if they don’t agree to terms the Germans will simply march in and take the country, he tells them straight - words to the effect: “if you can do that then go ahead”. Today of course our leaders don’t have to face anything of that magnitude or danger, but surrender seems the only thing they know. This brings me nicely on to El Cid.
Towards the end of that film, the hero El Cid, knows he must go and ride out into battle in order to rally the troops, but he’s dying (I think he’s been poisoned or wounded or something). Knowing that if he rides out, he’ll soon be done for, and in falling of his horse the men will be disheartened, he has a rod of iron fastened to his back, and he is tied to his horse, so he can ride out without danger of falling off.
Any modern leaders reading this (yeah right) perhaps thinking that sometimes they lack the courage they need to stand up to something, can simply borrow the example from El Cid. No need to go to extremes with a rod of iron, a simple stave of stout English Oak will suffice, strap it to your back and see how much better you will function. No matter if it’s a question of standing up for your principles (after you've found some), facing a hostile crowd (oh wait you’re not likely to face any crowd), or dealing with the lovely media, the stave of oak will help you considerably.
No need to thank me, it’s all part of the service.
Happy & Prosperous New Year to all my readers.
Labels: Courage, leadership
