Introduction
What could be more terrible for a stutterer than to become a king on the eve of the worst war, when the primary weapon is the voice, and the people are waiting for fiery speeches? This article will discuss the leadership style, behaviour and traits that the main character of The King’s Speech had and what are the learning outcomes from the case of the leader in the historical movie. The article will argue that the example of King George VI shows that there should be a combination of leadership styles in order for a person to become a leader. In the case of The King’s Speech, skill theory, style and situational theory define the central character of the movie.
Description of the Background to the Movie
After the death of King George V, King Edward VIII ascended the British throne. However, in 1936, he abdicated the throne and his younger brother, Prince Albert, Duke of York, unexpectedly found himself the leading contender for the throne. Bertie, as he was known in the family circle, had suffered from the unpleasant ailment of stuttering, and had a fear of public speaking. Despite his shortcomings, he became King George VI, head of the British Commonwealth and Emperor of India (Freeman).
To address the stutter, George’s wife, Queen Elizabeth, decided to resort to the eccentric Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue for help. After receiving assurances from a specialist that the speech problem could be solved, she persuaded the king to undergo treatment. At first, the speech therapist and his extraordinary methods of work aroused strong distrust in George. However, by trusting Logue, he was able to overcome the stutter.
The Central Leadership Lessons from the Case
It might be stated that not every child who deftly commands other kids in the sandbox will necessarily grow into a real leader. Not every soldier grows up to be a general. The most excellent mentor may not be able to mould a leader if the initial material is not suitable. If someone asks: “Who taught Alexander the Great?”, one can give an honest answer: “Aristotle taught Alexander.” This point of view expresses The King’s Speech story of leadership. When a person has the right personality and traits, even if not ideal, and there is a desire to develop, then with the help of training, there is an excellent chance to become a leader. Oscar-winner The King’s Speech is about the skill theory that shows the necessity to overcome difficulties and get skills to unite the nation by the voice of a leader.
On the one hand, it is visible how much the main character suffers from stuttering, which is why he cannot communicate with people correctly and closes himself from other people. On the other hand, the film perfectly showed the strength of character of Albert (later the king), his mind, self-irony and firmness. Especially successful were the scenes when Albert screams in anger, while stuttering, then realises that he is becoming ridiculous, which makes him even angrier and he shouts even louder. It should be recalled that the voice of George VI is the main instrument of his work. It is not a choice for him; it is either sink or swim for a man to become a leader.
He even announces that if he fails, he will be replaced by an abdicated older brother. Thus, Albert realises that the only way to become the trustful king is to go through hardships of stammering rectification and to overcome embarrassment, and this is one of the leadership lessons. A leader should not be afraid to ask for help.
When George VI ascended the throne on the eve of the Second World War, he rallied the British in the fight against Nazism and became a true leader. Courage and determination that the king had helped him to adapt himself and put effort to ensure that the citizens of the state will follow the leader. George’s behaviour shows how important it is to be flexible and to have an ability to analyse the situation and change the approach accordingly. In all the years of his reign, from the coronation speech in 1937 to the last Christmas address to the nation of the British Empire in December 1951, the king spoke to his people. It was also shown that skills could define the future leadership style with a combination of certain traits of personality. The leadership lesson learnt it is essential to adapt to the situation and get responsibility for people and actions.
In the XX century, regular performances in front of the mass audience became an integral part of the political life, and radio became a public medium. Therefore, the ability to deliver an inspiring speech with a firm voice and reliable and vibrant shades was of crucial importance for a leader. George VI and Queen Elizabeth encountered it, and to create a leader figure, they are managed to develop necessary skills and emphasise the actual behaviour of the king (Freeman).
George VI showed a great example of confidence, ability to cope with struggles and leadership based on actions and knowledge. Despite enduring various issues, such as the despotism of his father, the death of his brother, the abuse of his nanny, the neglect of his elder brother, since childhood, Albert created his figure from scratch. Oratorical speeches became essential elements of his image and components of success.
Understanding the Leadership Scenario in the Film
Leadership theories that were discussed in the course have contributed to an understanding of the leadership scenario presented in The King’s Speech. According to Northouse (2019), it can be stated that George VI initially got an assigned leadership position that was based on his historical belonging to the king’s family. Albert received a legitimate power and political status supported by formalities of the country. However, it was crucial to become a leader of the nation whom people can trust. A man who was closed, who was stammering and not being to deliver its decisions verbally, could not gather people against a common enemy.
It is suggested by Northouse (2019) that intelligence, such as verbal, is one of traits that can help a person to be a leader. Therefore, the leadership scenario in the movie was partially based on Albert’s characteristics that enabled him to become a leader, including intelligence, determination and integrity.
The support of followers and the ability to trust close comrades are also two traits that help a leader to overcome various obstacles. Roe (2017) suggests that Winston Churchill, who led Britain as a prime minister with George VI during Second World War, was born with abilities to lead and was viewed as a “natural” leader. Albert was not supposed to become a king and was not brought up as a person who would encourage people to go fight against aggressive enemies. Nevertheless, his behaviour and “delegative” leadership style that did not exclude other approaches helped him to establish his unique manner of managing the situation.
Concepts covered on the course suggest that some experiential moments have an impact on the establishment of leadership. Carroll, Ford, and Taylor (2015) claim that self-reflection is one of the essential experiences that uncover the assumptions, limits and blind-spots that constitute broad nature of leadership, politics, ethics and other significant issues that bother people. Leaders, therefore, can reflect on various matters that help them learn the lessons, make conclusions based on previous failures and successes, which eventually form a person stronger.
The scene when George VI was screaming in anger while stammering and realised how ridiculous he looked shows self-reflection that the king has. Leadership theory suggests that the case from The King’s Speech represents the necessity for a person to have self-reflection and empathy to develop leadership knowledge.
Various scientists study leadership nature by examining historical cases and evidence. McManus and Perruci (2015) highlight that the leader is often depicted as a hero who is calm despite the hostile situation. He can lead followers and encourage them to fight while being focused and unwavering. Would Albert be able to lead the country with his initial insularity and insecurity? That is a rhetorical question because Lionel Logue helped George VI to get rid of stutter, but what is more critical, the therapist helped the king to gain confidence. According to McManus and Perruci (2015), leadership is a process that consists of variables that contribute to the evolvement of a leader. Considering this point, it can be said that not only traits but skills and qualifications are also crucial. In the case of George VI, people around him helped Albert to become a leader and prove that his leadership is genuinely legitimate.
It might be stated that leadership theories and styles can intersect or unite when a leadership position is formed. This point of view is supported by Zehndorfer (2014), who claims that qualifications are as crucial as traits. There should also be non-tangible assets that a person can develop, such as discipline, courage and confidence, to be able to make the hardest decisions. It can be found out that George VI developed “human” and “conceptual” skills that helped him to see the big picture and understand what people are waiting for from him (Zehndorfer, 2014, p.50). The leadership scenario presented in the movie displayed the combination of trained skills and traits of Albert, who initially was not prepared to be a king.
Conclusion
In the late 1930s, when Great Britain was facing the threat of war with Germany, the need for the king as a national leader and inspirer especially increased. With the support of the family, therapist, government, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, George VI became a true leader. His messages during World War II brought the entire country to radio stations and helped rally the nation in the face of the Nazi threat. A story in The King’s Speech movie is remarkable for its real-based leadership scenario of a person that led the country through the most severe state of affairs. George VI proved that a combination of traits, styles and skills could uncover trustful leader and honoured man.
References
Carroll, B., Ford J., and Taylor S. (2015) Leadership: contemporary critical perspectives. London: Sage.
Freeman D. The King’s Speech. Web.
McManus, R. and Perruci, G. (2015) Understanding Leadership: an arts and humanities perspective. Abingdon: Routledge.
Northouse, P. G. (2019) Leadership: theory and practice. 8th edn. London: Sage.
Roe, K. (2017) Leadership: practice and perspectives. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zehndorfer, E. (2014) Leadership: a critical introduction. Abingdon: Routledge.