3, 2, 1 and… “Action!” I’ve just kicked off a brand new series exploring leadership lessons from the movies for my premium podcast subscribers. I call it ‘Reel Leadership’. Watching films is a relaxed and enjoyable way to learn about leadership. Kicking off this cinematic leadership series, I bring you the critically-acclaimed film, Sully.
In this blog, I introduce my new Reel Leadership podcast episode, while highlighting relevant aspects of the police Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and the National Decision Model (NDM). It all aligns with decision making and leadership behaviours in this epic true story…
Sully (Spoiler Alert!)
“Everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time.”
On 15 January 2009, a bird strike wrecks both engines of the US Airways Flight 1549. After being instructed to return to the airport, flight Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger decides to ditch the plane on the icy cold Hudson River in New York just four minutes later.
Despite saving all 155 passengers on board, the 9 o’clock jury were out in force. Sully had to justify his decision-making and action taken under intense scrutiny by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The details of these four minutes were investigated for over a year. Initial post-incident analysis had concluded the passenger jet could have made a safer landing elsewhere.
Starring Tom Hanks as Sully, the 2016 film dramatises this true story, capturing the event itself and also the post-event scrutiny. It’s a great watch, showcasing leadership and decision-making under pressure, then decision-making rationale under even more pressure. Here’s some of its highlights below:
UK policing at all levels is similarly under intense pressure and scrutiny. Whether coming from inquests, the IOPC, or the court of public opinion, officers must be clear on their decision-making and associated rationale; the parallels with Sully are strong here. As such, forces want to promote leaders who can make sound decisions, be accountable and justify them often under pressure.
Drawing Out the Parallels in Police Leadership
“If he’d have followed the damn rules, we’d all be dead.”
As a police promotion coach successfully supporting aspiring leaders for more than a decade, I encourage my clients to ‘connect’ with important leadership lessons whatever the context. It’s one reason why I provide structured support in a variety of formats.
Given the pressure and mental noise many candidates allude to before a promotion, simply watching a movie can be a fun and relaxing way to learn, reflect or recap on relevant leadership insights. It’s also a welcome method of ‘escaping’ mental overload for a couple of hours, especially the evening before your promotion selection process and the big day itself.
Some parallels between effective decision making in policing and Sully are clear:
- Leadership styles must adapt to different stages of the process, including the scrutiny element.
- Situations can mean life or death, requiring clear ‘Hierarchy of Protection’ thinking, as I describe in my Masterclass.
- The ability to justify decisions is an imperative skill, particularly given accountability expectations, and how various bodies approach post incident procedures in cases of death or serious injury.
In my latest S5E11 podcast, I convey Sully’s decisions through the thinking lens of the NDM. I even break it down into the NDM’s five stages: Information, Assess, Powers, Options, and Action/Review.
In the hour-long episode, I also consider Sully’s actions in the context of CVF behaviours, values and risk principles, together with Sully’s leadership style before, during and after the crisis. Along the way, you will pick up example promotion board questions aligned to particular CVF behaviours, all helpful to your ongoing leadership CPD.
Sully’s story offers important lessons. For example, gather facts fast, don’t freeze. Assess risks with people in mind. Use your authority when it matters. Choose options that work, not those that just feel good. Act, then learn. Leaders adapt their style to the situation. Preparation and quick thinking can turn chaos into success.
I’ve embedded a sneak preview below. Head over to my Police Promotion and Leadership podcast for the full episode, taking you step by step through the NDM and covering elements of the CVF…
If you’re interested, I’d recommend you watch this film then consider a few questions:
- What do you think about Sully’s actions?
- Can you relate this scrutiny to any decisions you have faced?
- And for promotion: How would you describe a difficult leadership decision you have made, or would make, to your police promotion board?
I hope you enjoy the episode. Keep an eye out for the next in this ‘Reel Leadership’ series on leadership at the movies, as I’ll be diving into another film soon. In the meantime, let me know of any films which have inspired you that you’d like me to cover.
Kind Regards, Steve
Seeking police promotion? Want a MASSIVE head start right now? Hit the ground running with your personal digital promotion toolkit, and/or my market-leading Police Promotion Masterclass and CVF explainers. There’s nothing else like it to effectively prepare you for success in your leadership aspirations. You can also contact me to arrange more personal coaching support. Or try my podcast for your ongoing police leadership CPD covering a range of fascinating subjects.
