‘WE WERE SOLDIERS’ Video Clip and Discussion – Teacher Notes Introduce the ‘We Were Soldiers’ clip to the group: In this clip, you will see two officers/soldiers addressing a problem – they are in a training situation with their platoon and a man has fallen behind. They address this issue in two fundamentally different ways but the clip focuses on one in particular.
Show the ‘We Were Soldiers’ clip to the group: This can be found in the resources area of Section 1, Session 2.
Discussion 1: What was the dilemma faced by Chris Klein’s character (2nd Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan)? Students should identify the need to maintain the performance expectation of the group whilst dealing with the problem of blistered feet. Geoghegan helps the men to solve the problem whilst making them responsible for applying the solution. He does not go and get fresh socks and talc for them – that would make them dependent on him. Instead, he empowers them, encouraging them to solve the problem and maintain the performance expectation and their independence.
Discussion 2: What are the characteristics of GOOD leadership that Chris Klein’s character (2nd Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan) displays in the clip? Students might identify:
No blame; Supportive; Identifies the cause of the problem; Helps his men to address and solve the problem; He made them responsible for applying the solution – he guided them, supported them and empowered them to do it themselves and, as a result, commands their respect.
Discussion 3: Based on the clip, what are the examples of how Geoghegan gets ‘real’, gets ‘connected’ and gets ‘help’?
globalstudypass.com | Section [1/2]
FUTURE LEADERS