Learning Leadership Theories and Skills through a Popular Old Hindi Film

“Do Aankhein Barah Haath”

Dr. Satish PandeyAssociate Professor (OB & HRM)School of Petroleum Management Pandit Deendayal Petroleum UniversityGandhinagar (India)

ELLTA Conference, Penang Nov 17-19, 2014

Using Films as Classroom Learning Tool

• Movies expose students to powerful and uniqueexperiences that:

• could not be simulated in a classroom,

• provoke strong emotional reactions,

• stimulate animated discussions,

• could lead to re-assessment of one’s values and self-image if the scenes in the movies have strongemotional content (Champoux, 1999).

• Films can be valuable in developing culturalsensitivity and ability to “decipher” other cultures

Popular Films in Leadership Training

• The following popular films have been researched in context of leadership training.– 12 Angry Men (McCambridge, 2003; Buchanan and

Huczynski, 2004),

– Thirteen Days (Buchanan and Huczynski, 2004; Huczynski and Buchanan, 2004),

– The Lion King (Comer, 2001),

– Remember The Titans (Holbrook, 2009),

– Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (Rosser, 2007; Callahan and Rosser, 2007; Callahan, Whitener and Sandlin, 2007).

Popular Films in Leadership Training

• Many scholars have strongly advocated usage of popular films and artifacts (paintings, music, television shows, fiction/non-fiction books, classical short stories, fairy tales and theatrical plays) for effective learning of leadership theories/concepts (Harrison and Aknic, 2000; Callhan, Whitener and Sandlin, 2007; Stillman II, 2006; ) .

Five Methods of Using Movies in the Classroom

Source: Pandey (2012). Using popular movies in teaching cross-cultural management.

European Journal of Training and Development, 36(2), 329 – 350

Method 1

Show selected scenes in class

Discuss specific theories, concepts, models, referring to shown scenes

Method 2

Show the entire movie in one session

Discuss theories and assigned readings in later sessions; show select scenes again, if needed

Method 3

Show selected scenes in class

Discuss specific theories, concepts, models, referring to shown scenes

Give an introductory lecture on theories; assign readings

Method 4

• Use several movies as cases to discuss the same concept or to illustrate different concepts or theories

Method 5

• Assign selected movies to groups of studentsas project assignment and ask to do filmanalysis using relevant theories (cultural,social, psychological, political etc.).

The Film: Do Aankhein Barah Haath

• Director/Producer: V. Shantaram

• Production Company: Rajkamal Kala Mandir

• Release : 1957

• Lead Cast:

– V. Shantaram as Jailor Adinath

– Sandhya as Champa

• Awards Won:

– National Awards India (1957, Best Film)

– Berlin International Film Festival (1957, OCIC Award and Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of Jury)

– Golden Globe Awards (1958, Samuel Goldwyn Award )

The Study

• The present study has been designed to achieve the following objectives by using an old Hindi classic film “Do Aankhein Barah Haath” (V. Shantaram, 1957)– How do students perceive popular movies as an effective

learning tool in context of the courses Organizational Behavior and Leadership Skills?

– How do popular movies influence students’ cognitive learning in context of the courses on Organizational Behavior and Leadership Skills?

– How do students perceive relevance of popular movies in achieving learning objectives of the courses Organizational Behavior and Leadership Skills?

Method Course Organizational Behavior Leadership Skills

Sample Two small groups of MBA 2011-13 (N1= 4) and MBA 2013-15 (N2= 5)

Total 9 students (8 males and 1 female) of Executive MBA 2011-12

Age Group 21-25 years 25-34 years

Cultural context Indian Indian

Usage of film As Group Case Study Project. Students watched film at their convenience and analyzed it. (Mehtod-5)

Different scenes of the film were shown in consequent sessions by the instructor and discussed in context of relevant theories. (Method-3)

Assignment Group project report and presentation before the class

Individually written reflection notes on film analysis based on leadership theories

Data Analysis

• Instructor analyzed students’ individually written reflection notes and group project reports by using qualitative data extracted from reflection notes and group project reports.

• Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis • Students’ reactions with specific reference to

movies were separated from statements relatedto general theoretical learning; then classifiedand coded on the basis of indications ofleadership concepts mentioned in thosestatements.

Findings

• The film “Do Aankehin Barah Haath” was appreciated by both the groups of students in context of two different courses Organizational Behavior and Leadership Skills as effective classroom aid to learn leadership theories and skills.

• Students appreciated that the film helped them in collaborative learning of leadership theories and skills thru classroom discussions as well as group case study project.

• Students also found content of the film very relevant even in modern context of corporate leadership training though the film depicts social environment of India in 1950s.

• Students also identified strong social messages on humanistic values, ethical leadership in dialogues, scenes and characters of the film. Students also appreciated relevance of these messages even in modern corporate life.

Leadership Theories and Concepts Identified by Ex-MBA students with the film in context of course ‘Leadership Skills’

Most cited theoretical concepts with

specific reference to the movie (N=9)

(Frequency of Recall)

Less cited theoretical concept with specific

reference to the movie (N=9)

(Frequency of Recall)

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory (8) LMX Theory (3)

Transformational Leadership (7) Managerial Grid (3)

Task-Oriented Leadership (7) Authoritative Leadership (3)

Path-Goal Theory (5) Directive Leadership (3)

Charismatic Leadership (4) Situational Leadership (3)

Ohio State Theory (4) Participative Leadership (2)

Supportive Leadership (2)

Relationship-Oriented Leadership (2)

Leadership Theories and Concepts Identified by Ex-MBA students with the film in context of course ‘Leadership Skills’

Leadership Characteristics Perceived in Jailer Adinath’s behavior

Trust and faith on followers

Focused Vision, ambitious, winning attitude

Strong belief and conviction about goal

Innovative, change agent, confidence

Commitment, dedication, Integrity, Sincerity

Respect to followers, compassion, loving, caring, sensitive, humble, generous, supportive

Passion, motivation, proactive, enthusiastic

Adaptability,

Positive communication, bonding with team

Task-oriented, delegation of power

Good judgement of followers’ abilities

Good coach, practices what preaches, keeps promise

Leadership Theories and Concepts Identified by MBA students with the film in context of course ‘Organizational Behaviour’

Theoretical concepts/themes identified

by Group A (N=4), (MBA 2011-13)

Theoretical concepts/themes identified

by Group B (N=5), (MBA 2013-15)

Adinath’s leadership characteristics

(emotional stability & composure,

humble in accepting mistakes, good

interpersonal skills, visionary, rational,

ready to take up any task when needed,

cooperation, conflict management)

Values, trust and motivation in

leadership

(A-1)

Role efficacy in leadership roles (A1, A3)

Ethical leadership (A-3)

Path-Goal theory

Adinath’s leadership style (directive,

supportive, participative and

achievement-oriented)

Transformational leadership in Jailer

Adinath (B-3)

Autocratic leadership in Jail

Superintendent’s behaviour (Boss of

Jailer Adinath) (B-4)

Emotional intelligence in leadership

(B1,B-5)

Limitations

• The study is limited to MBA students of an Indian university in context of learning of leadership theories, concepts and skills.

• The original film is Hindi language. Effective usage of the film (even with subtitles in other foreign languages) in other cultural contexts, yet to be tested.

Implications for International HRD

• The film “Do Aankhein Barah Haath” has been effectively used by me in MBA courses and executive training programmes in Indian cultural context. The content of the film communicates humanistic values very clearly thru its characters, dialogues, non-verbal behavior patterns in different scenes.

• This film can also be used effectively (with support of subtitles in English/other languages) in other cultural contexts (especially South Asian countries) to teach concepts like ethical leadership, servant leadership (Greenleaf, 1977;Sendjaya and Sarros, 2002), authentic leadership (Luthans and Avolio, 2003), organizational citizenship behaviors (Smith, Organ and Near, 1983), positive organizational scholarship (Cameron, Dutton and Quinn, 2003) and Positive OB (hope, optimism, self-efficacy and emotional intelligence).

If you are using movies in your classes and can share your experiences, we would love to hear from you.

Contact:Satish Pandey: E-mail: satish.pandey@spm.pdpu.ac.in

satishpandey_99@yahoo.com

Also available on facebook and Linkedin. https://www.facebook.com/satish.pandey.35325

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