Leadership Lessons from Lagaan
Don't Laugh. While it is not often that movies offer more than entertainment, ever so often there comes a film which can make a deep impact and teach us a few things. This week's Tech Talk takes a different path as I share what I learnt from the movie. It is about Bhuvan and his team, who, against all odds, fight for pride, land and country - and win.
It is how one single person with a passion can make a difference. It is about the triumph of human spirit, the Indian spirit.
As a movie, Lagaan (you can read the review here) is something we can all be proud of, made to perfection by Aamir Khan (producer) and Ashutosh Gowariker (director). It is different in many respects from the regular stuff churned out by our film industry. It is a period film. It was shot in one schedule in Bhuj last year over 4 months. It is long, very long - 3 hours, 40 minutes. It has British actors who mostly speak English. It has little romance and no fights. It even has a song in Hindi and English. Lagaan as a movie is innovation personified. The movie's heart - the hour-plus cricket match - was not even disclosed in the pre-release publicity.
Lagaan is set in the village of Champaner (somewhere in Central India) in the late 19th century. Yet, it does not seem too far removed from us in the 21st century.
Each of us has someone we know in some Indian village. Many of us still pay a visit to our native place every once in a while. It is about the unchanged reality of India - the wait for the rains every year. It is also about the only sport which matters in India and which each of us has grown up with - cricket.
Above all, Lagaan is about people. Ordinary, average people, who are going about their lives - like each of us. Who, when the moment demands, do extraordinary deeds. It is about the power of a Team - the muthi ("closed fist"). As a team, they were fighting for the future of tens of thousands of their countrymen against a heartless enemy (the British). They had few resources, and little knowledge of the game of cricket. What they did not lack was fighting and team spirit, and the will to win. They were not playing a game; they were fighting a war.
The India of today, too, faces a lot of challenges. If we can learn from Bhuvan and his bunch of motley cricketers, the New India that is being built can be a different place, one which occupies pride of place in the world economy, one which is respected and feared but not ignored, one in which the community and nation come before self, one which Bhuvan's XI would have been proud of.
2: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 2)
Think of Problems as Opportunities.
When Captain Russel challenges Bhuvan to a cricket match, Bhuvan accepts it because he knows that there is really no option. It is a risk, but without taking risks, there are no rewards. Given the state of his brethren (and with no looming rains), Bhuvan viewed the incrementalism of trying to reduce the "double tax" as a non-option against the possibility of a "10-100x" quality of life improvement offered by a victory in the cricket match. In our lives too, we face a lot of problems. We need to think of these as opportunities for innovation.
Dream Big and Define the Goal.
Once Bhuvan accepted the challenge, his dream was three years of no tax. It may have seemed unrealistic or even improbable, but then that's what dreams are. Dreaming is about imagining a different future. In the case of Bhuvan, he not only dreamt big but also put in place a strategy to make that a reality. Another name for Dream is Vision. To make things happen the way we want, we have to envision the future, and paint a picture in front of the others of what we want to achieve.
Put Community Before Self.
The important thing about Bhuvan's dream was that it was not for himself, it was for the community. Never in his talk or action did Bhuvan put himself or his self-interest before that of what his village needed. Bhuvan's dream of greater good thus elicited (after some initial resistance) the support of the entire province.
Be Determined in face of Opposition.
This comes across many times in the movie. Right from the start when the entire village opposes Bhuvan's having taken up the challenge to when the rest of his team refuses to play because Bhuvan wants to take on board Kachra, who is an untouchable. On all occasions, Bhuvan knows he is right, and faces up and answers his critics with courage, winning their support in the end. We face this situation many times in our organizations. Many a time, we give up and accept what we feel is perhaps a lesser decision. It is at times like these that we need to speak up - as long as we know we are fighting for the right issue, and not against an individual.
Give Examples to Enhance Understanding.
Even though Bhuvan didn't know the difference at that time, he simplified the challenge of learning cricket by portraying it as something similar to gilli-danda. By doing this, he made the impossible seem achievable, he made the mountain seem climbable. Analogies have that effect and can be powerful in helping tame the seemingly difficult. As managers and leaders, we too have the task of motivating the troops to take up challenges in the marketplace. Vision needs to be translated into a series of tasks that the team can understand, thus building a path through the fog.
3: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 3)
Make a Beginning.
Bhuvan did not wait to start. He did not see around. He made a bat and a ball, got the kid interested and started. Many times, we brood and end up thinking too much. The only way one can test out new ideas is by jumping in, by getting started. Only when we close the door behind us will we see the doors in front start opening.
Small Victories are Important at the Start.
The first time Bhuvan hits the ball, he does so in public, in full view of the entire village. He makes it seem easy, he makes them want to participate. In the film, watch the faces of the villagers after Bhuvan's first strike. When starting any project, it is important to have small wins at the start to motivate the team.
Building the Team.
This is at the heart of the film in the first half. Building the team is like recruitment. One needs to select the right people and motivate them. Just watching Bhuvan go from one to eleven offers a lot of learning. He understands the pressures and the soft points of people, and uses this knowledge to make them part of his team. Watch and listen to the song which he uses to recruit Goli, the largest landowner in the village, and Ishwar Kaka, Gauri's father. To get Bhura, the murgiwalla, he makes him feel important as a person who can teach something (catching) to the rest of the lot. Watch also how Bhuvan talks to each of his team members. Each one is treated as special, as being different.
Allocating Roles.
Bhuvan also assigns responsibilities to each of his people. Just getting the people on board is not good enough. They have to be told what the goal is. Just as the hand consists of a thumb and four fingers, a team consists of different individuals. The objective is to make them all work together like a fist, like a team.
Support the Team Members.
Bhuvan backs his people to the hilt, even when they make mistakes. He is willing to give Kachra a second chance (on the second afternoon of the match) despite the skepticism of others. He knows Kachra can be a match-winner - and Kachra proves him right. It is very important in any team that the captain supports his team, backing the right person at the right time for the right job.
Passion as the Differentiator.
Bhuvan and his team were playing for the hopes and aspirations of a nation. Their passion, especially Bhuvan's, made all the difference. It is in crunch times that one's passion for the work helps in bringing out that extra strength from within. Bhuvan's body language, his actions all speak for themselves. He is confident, not arrogant. As leaders, we all have to be careful of what we say and do, for the slightest sign of weakness can get magnified within the rest of the team.
4: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 4)
Lead from the Front.
Bhuvan is always there - encouraging, talking, making the decisions. He knows that having taken up the challenge, he has to take the fight and be there till the end. The same applies to us. If we take on a responsibility, we have to take it to completion. Bhuvan, as a true leader, also points out the mistakes of others - like when he ticks off his team members at the
From India, Nizamabad
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14Don't Laugh. While it is not often that movies offer more than entertainment, ever so often there comes a film which can make a deep impact and teach us a few things. This week's Tech Talk takes a different path as I share what I learnt from the movie. It is about Bhuvan and his team, who, against all odds, fight for pride, land and country - and win.
It is how one single person with a passion can make a difference. It is about the triumph of human spirit, the Indian spirit.
As a movie, Lagaan (you can read the review here) is something we can all be proud of, made to perfection by Aamir Khan (producer) and Ashutosh Gowariker (director). It is different in many respects from the regular stuff churned out by our film industry. It is a period film. It was shot in one schedule in Bhuj last year over 4 months. It is long, very long - 3 hours, 40 minutes. It has British actors who mostly speak English. It has little romance and no fights. It even has a song in Hindi and English. Lagaan as a movie is innovation personified. The movie's heart - the hour-plus cricket match - was not even disclosed in the pre-release publicity.
Lagaan is set in the village of Champaner (somewhere in Central India) in the late 19th century. Yet, it does not seem too far removed from us in the 21st century.
Each of us has someone we know in some Indian village. Many of us still pay a visit to our native place every once in a while. It is about the unchanged reality of India - the wait for the rains every year. It is also about the only sport which matters in India and which each of us has grown up with - cricket.
Above all, Lagaan is about people. Ordinary, average people, who are going about their lives - like each of us. Who, when the moment demands, do extraordinary deeds. It is about the power of a Team - the muthi ("closed fist"). As a team, they were fighting for the future of tens of thousands of their countrymen against a heartless enemy (the British). They had few resources, and little knowledge of the game of cricket. What they did not lack was fighting and team spirit, and the will to win. They were not playing a game; they were fighting a war.
The India of today, too, faces a lot of challenges. If we can learn from Bhuvan and his bunch of motley cricketers, the New India that is being built can be a different place, one which occupies pride of place in the world economy, one which is respected and feared but not ignored, one in which the community and nation come before self, one which Bhuvan's XI would have been proud of.
2: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 2)
Think of Problems as Opportunities.
When Captain Russel challenges Bhuvan to a cricket match, Bhuvan accepts it because he knows that there is really no option. It is a risk, but without taking risks, there are no rewards. Given the state of his brethren (and with no looming rains), Bhuvan viewed the incrementalism of trying to reduce the "double tax" as a non-option against the possibility of a "10-100x" quality of life improvement offered by a victory in the cricket match. In our lives too, we face a lot of problems. We need to think of these as opportunities for innovation.
Dream Big and Define the Goal.
Once Bhuvan accepted the challenge, his dream was three years of no tax. It may have seemed unrealistic or even improbable, but then that's what dreams are. Dreaming is about imagining a different future. In the case of Bhuvan, he not only dreamt big but also put in place a strategy to make that a reality. Another name for Dream is Vision. To make things happen the way we want, we have to envision the future, and paint a picture in front of the others of what we want to achieve.
Put Community Before Self.
The important thing about Bhuvan's dream was that it was not for himself, it was for the community. Never in his talk or action did Bhuvan put himself or his self-interest before that of what his village needed. Bhuvan's dream of greater good thus elicited (after some initial resistance) the support of the entire province.
Be Determined in face of Opposition.
This comes across many times in the movie. Right from the start when the entire village opposes Bhuvan's having taken up the challenge to when the rest of his team refuses to play because Bhuvan wants to take on board Kachra, who is an untouchable. On all occasions, Bhuvan knows he is right, and faces up and answers his critics with courage, winning their support in the end. We face this situation many times in our organizations. Many a time, we give up and accept what we feel is perhaps a lesser decision. It is at times like these that we need to speak up - as long as we know we are fighting for the right issue, and not against an individual.
Give Examples to Enhance Understanding.
Even though Bhuvan didn't know the difference at that time, he simplified the challenge of learning cricket by portraying it as something similar to gilli-danda. By doing this, he made the impossible seem achievable, he made the mountain seem climbable. Analogies have that effect and can be powerful in helping tame the seemingly difficult. As managers and leaders, we too have the task of motivating the troops to take up challenges in the marketplace. Vision needs to be translated into a series of tasks that the team can understand, thus building a path through the fog.
3: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 3)
Make a Beginning.
Bhuvan did not wait to start. He did not see around. He made a bat and a ball, got the kid interested and started. Many times, we brood and end up thinking too much. The only way one can test out new ideas is by jumping in, by getting started. Only when we close the door behind us will we see the doors in front start opening.
Small Victories are Important at the Start.
The first time Bhuvan hits the ball, he does so in public, in full view of the entire village. He makes it seem easy, he makes them want to participate. In the film, watch the faces of the villagers after Bhuvan's first strike. When starting any project, it is important to have small wins at the start to motivate the team.
Building the Team.
This is at the heart of the film in the first half. Building the team is like recruitment. One needs to select the right people and motivate them. Just watching Bhuvan go from one to eleven offers a lot of learning. He understands the pressures and the soft points of people, and uses this knowledge to make them part of his team. Watch and listen to the song which he uses to recruit Goli, the largest landowner in the village, and Ishwar Kaka, Gauri's father. To get Bhura, the murgiwalla, he makes him feel important as a person who can teach something (catching) to the rest of the lot. Watch also how Bhuvan talks to each of his team members. Each one is treated as special, as being different.
Allocating Roles.
Bhuvan also assigns responsibilities to each of his people. Just getting the people on board is not good enough. They have to be told what the goal is. Just as the hand consists of a thumb and four fingers, a team consists of different individuals. The objective is to make them all work together like a fist, like a team.
Support the Team Members.
Bhuvan backs his people to the hilt, even when they make mistakes. He is willing to give Kachra a second chance (on the second afternoon of the match) despite the skepticism of others. He knows Kachra can be a match-winner - and Kachra proves him right. It is very important in any team that the captain supports his team, backing the right person at the right time for the right job.
Passion as the Differentiator.
Bhuvan and his team were playing for the hopes and aspirations of a nation. Their passion, especially Bhuvan's, made all the difference. It is in crunch times that one's passion for the work helps in bringing out that extra strength from within. Bhuvan's body language, his actions all speak for themselves. He is confident, not arrogant. As leaders, we all have to be careful of what we say and do, for the slightest sign of weakness can get magnified within the rest of the team.
4: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 4)
Lead from the Front.
Bhuvan is always there - encouraging, talking, making the decisions. He knows that having taken up the challenge, he has to take the fight and be there till the end. The same applies to us. If we take on a responsibility, we have to take it to completion. Bhuvan, as a true leader, also points out the mistakes of others - like when he ticks off his team members at the
From India, Nizamabad
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Hi KK,
Thank you for sharing this famous article that has made waves in the internet world. I had the opportunity to read it about 9-10 months ago, and I even worked on a presentation related to it.
Furthermore, I am pleased to share with you that some of the top B-Schools have included this film as part of their curriculum for leadership and teamwork chapters.
Shankar Anappindi
91-40-09849669966
HR Executive
KARVY Group
From India, Visakhapatnam
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Thank you for sharing this famous article that has made waves in the internet world. I had the opportunity to read it about 9-10 months ago, and I even worked on a presentation related to it.
Furthermore, I am pleased to share with you that some of the top B-Schools have included this film as part of their curriculum for leadership and teamwork chapters.
Shankar Anappindi
91-40-09849669966
HR Executive
KARVY Group
From India, Visakhapatnam
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Hi Folks, Am attaching the ppt of Laagan. Chale chalo!! Cheerio Rajat
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Hi Rajat,
Thanks for sharing the Lagaan PPT with us. Anybody having any other PPT/Doc/PDF related to 'experiential learning' or learning from stories or movies, please post it. I am attaching a story that talks about cooperation within teams, the significance of 'WE' against 'I'. There are many learnings possible from the story. Comments invited.
... shoOOonya ...
From Switzerland, Geneva
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Thanks for sharing the Lagaan PPT with us. Anybody having any other PPT/Doc/PDF related to 'experiential learning' or learning from stories or movies, please post it. I am attaching a story that talks about cooperation within teams, the significance of 'WE' against 'I'. There are many learnings possible from the story. Comments invited.
... shoOOonya ...
From Switzerland, Geneva
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Mr. Sridhar,
Sorry for the delayed response. The presentation that I wanted to share doesn't include any clippings or extracts from the movie. The same textual content has been represented through the presentation, and, of course, after the screening of LAGAAN.
Shankar Anappindi HR Executive 0 9849 669966 KARVY Group Hyderabad
From India, Visakhapatnam
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Sorry for the delayed response. The presentation that I wanted to share doesn't include any clippings or extracts from the movie. The same textual content has been represented through the presentation, and, of course, after the screening of LAGAAN.
Shankar Anappindi HR Executive 0 9849 669966 KARVY Group Hyderabad
From India, Visakhapatnam
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Hi Rajat,
I have been looking for this presentation for several years now. We had a training session at our office conducted by a consultant from Hyderabad who used the examples of LAGAAN and BHUVAN to explain team spirit and leadership qualities. Unfortunately, we didn't receive a copy of his presentation. But now, thanks to you, I have it. After going through it, I feel the same kind of motivation as when it was first shown to us, not identical but similar.
Thank you once again.
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
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I have been looking for this presentation for several years now. We had a training session at our office conducted by a consultant from Hyderabad who used the examples of LAGAAN and BHUVAN to explain team spirit and leadership qualities. Unfortunately, we didn't receive a copy of his presentation. But now, thanks to you, I have it. After going through it, I feel the same kind of motivation as when it was first shown to us, not identical but similar.
Thank you once again.
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
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Dear Rajat, Did I send you the summary cv if yes please send me the updated one. I need it. Regards, Umalme — — — — — — — — — — — -
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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ajmal sir, pls could you send me the presentation on the topic lagan if u can, will be grateful. and if possible any article you can forward thanks reema
From India, New Delhi
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From India, New Delhi
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Hello everyone,
I am an HR student in my 2nd semester of MBA. I recently completed an assignment on lessons from the movie "Lagaan" for my strategic management course. The article shared here bears some resemblance to my assignment. Could you please email me the "Lagaan" presentation?
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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I am an HR student in my 2nd semester of MBA. I recently completed an assignment on lessons from the movie "Lagaan" for my strategic management course. The article shared here bears some resemblance to my assignment. Could you please email me the "Lagaan" presentation?
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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Hi,
How are you? I would like to congratulate you for such an exciting work done on the movie LAGAAN. It was very nice of you to share it with all of us, and I am very sure that all those who have read it would agree with me. I would suggest that if you have a PowerPoint presentation made out of it, it would just make the whole idea very exciting. So, if you have it, please do send it to me.
Keep up the good work, and all the best.
From India, Mumbai
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How are you? I would like to congratulate you for such an exciting work done on the movie LAGAAN. It was very nice of you to share it with all of us, and I am very sure that all those who have read it would agree with me. I would suggest that if you have a PowerPoint presentation made out of it, it would just make the whole idea very exciting. So, if you have it, please do send it to me.
Keep up the good work, and all the best.
From India, Mumbai
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Respected Sir Can you please send me the presentation based on the leadership qualities elaborated with reference to Lagaan. Thanks and Regards Rajashri
From India, Calcutta
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From India, Calcutta
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Hi KK,
I would be grateful if you could share the Lagaan presentation (ppt). We have been using motion pictures since 1991 for drawing out key management principles.
Thanks and looking forward to the ppt.
Amul
From India, Pune
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I would be grateful if you could share the Lagaan presentation (ppt). We have been using motion pictures since 1991 for drawing out key management principles.
Thanks and looking forward to the ppt.
Amul
From India, Pune
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Hi all,
I have attached the same, and it's working - I just checked it. For those who are unable to do so, please forward me your emails to the following email ID: rjoshi@amtodd.com. I will email the same by Monday evening.
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Rajat
From India, Pune
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I have attached the same, and it's working - I just checked it. For those who are unable to do so, please forward me your emails to the following email ID: rjoshi@amtodd.com. I will email the same by Monday evening.
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Rajat
From India, Pune
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Hi,
I would like to request your assistance with my project. I need help with the Lagaan presentation, which is an integral part of my project that I have to submit by the 14th of October, 2005.
If you could please email the details to
.
Regards,
Mukul
From India, Pune
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I would like to request your assistance with my project. I need help with the Lagaan presentation, which is an integral part of my project that I have to submit by the 14th of October, 2005.
If you could please email the details to
Regards,
Mukul
From India, Pune
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Dear Friends, Pl see the Leadership lessons fron Lagaan ppt in the attachment file.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Dear Ajmal, I did not go all the pages of this post. I just posted it for the information of the members of this site.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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hello can u plzz tell me some of the leadership qualities of elizabeth in lagaan all just talk about bhuvan i wil rerally like to knw plz reply
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Excellent!! I want the rights of this article to post on my site.This will not only encourage our youngsters but tomorrow they themselves can be good leaders.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi, I have attended a few sessions which are movie-based. Yes, Lagaan was one of these. There are other movies like Home Alone part 1, which talk about removing fear and strategic planning and execution. But I don't have any PPT on the same. Regards, Rohin
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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