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Lagaan: A PathGoal Theory CaseStudy of the Film
Each leadership case study is meant to simulate real life. In real leadership situations, we have to use all the known facts to make the best decision possible. There is never a guarantee of the outcome. Leaders have to become comfortable with uncertainty.
The value of this kind of case study discussion is in the discussion and interaction it generates. If the case study leads you to a discussion of your own organization when people see similarities with the case study, then learning is taking place.
Such open discussion helps supervisors to better understand leadership best practices and helps them to all align their own styles with the culture and values of their organization.

INTRODUCTION

The quest of knowledge should be more than just books and schools. Cinema has become an integral part of lour lives and has shaped public opinion on many subjects. Cinema has an instant, powerful and long – lasting impact over human mind. Apart from sheer entertainment some movies convey social messages which are in the interest of the people. Of late, a few movies like Lagaan, Chak De and Lage Raho Munnabhai also find place in the management books, which have given a new dimension to Indian cinema.

INSIGHT INTO THE MOVIE

Many films that convey social messages are dismissed as critically acclaimed films, but Lagaan has stood out because of many factors. The movie is about Bhuvan and his team, who against all odds, fought for pride, land and country and emerged as the winners. It emphasises on how a single person with passion can make a difference. The main lead – Aamir Khan is a well known and commercially successful actor, having a great fan following. The movie is set in the village of Chamapaner, which connects with every Indian, as most of them have their roots in some village of India. It also focuses on the unchanged reality of India – the wait for rains every year. Finally, one of its main strengths lays with the sport that matters the most in India i.e. cricket.

Lagaan teaches lessons that reflect the competencies that Indians need the most. It pioneers in building a useful and effective medium to communicate relevant lessons in management and everyday living. Some lessons I learnt are elaborated below.

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.

LESSONS TO LEARN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

For any commercial start up, it requires a vision and the determination to translate it into reality. This can be seen from Bhuvan’s character who is risk taking, responsible, confident and encouraging. Taking risks is an attribute that every entrepreneur must possess. Without his vision, the villagers would have never stood against the British.

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 organisations. 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 land owner 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 support 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 start of the match when they are all running after the ball and complimenting each other.

Define the Enemy.

To Bhuvan and his team, the enemy was clear: the (bad) British and their oppressive laws. For Russel's team, it was not so clear. While for Russel the enemy was clearly (and only) Bhuvan, his team members were not quite sure about the cause. To them, it was just a game. Having a clearly defined enemy works as a rallying point for the team.

Overconfidence Destroys.

Look at Captain Russel. In trying to destroy Bhuvan (a personal enmity), he forgets what he is speaking and what he is offering (when he puts up the challenge). What he was trying to do was to take his anger against an individual against the entire province - and it boomeranged back at him. It made the opposition (the villagers) united, it made them discover talents they never had. One should never overestimate oneself or underestimate others.

Train and Practice.

Bhuvan and his team did not just go into the match; they trained and practiced day and night. There are no short-cuts for physical and mental fitness. To be fit, one needs to work hard.

Celebrate the Small Wins.

Watch the genuine joy in Bhuvan's team when a catch is taken or a wicket falls. The small celebrations help in encouraging and motivating the team as a whole. It also helps lift everyone's spirits. How many of us celebrate the small wins in the workplace?

Never Give Up.

Because the Last Ball can be the winner. A small opening - as in Chess, as in Cricket, as in a battle, and as in life - is all that it takes to make the difference and turn the tide. But you have to be prepared to be able to exploit it. Look at the situation in the Lagaan match. One ball to go in the match, 5 runs to win and Bhuvan is at the non-striker's end, with the partly handicapped Kachra facing. A seemingly lost cause. But Bhuvan did not give up. When Kachra hit the ball, he ran and took a single. As it turned out, the ball was a no-ball. That single created the opening for Bhuvan. If he had not taken that run assuming that they could not have won, the extra ball would not have made a difference. In sport, in life and in business, always be alert because you never know how and when opportunity comes.

Faith In God.

The pre-match rituals and the prayer at the end of the second day are examples. When everything else seems lost, God shows the way - as long as you are on the side of the Right.

5: Leadership Lessons from Lagaan (Part 5)

Make the Best of Limited Resources.

Watch how Bhuvan makes the bat and ball, and later how the pads are made. Look at the scene where Bhuvan and his team are practicing at night - the entire village is gathered around their team with mashaals to create the light. The villagers of Champaner have limited resources, but they make the best use of them. One cannot always wait for the perfect tools or for the availability of infinite resources. As entrepreneurs, we must innovate - focus on getting the work done. When one has fewer resources, the brain and body work that much harder and much more imaginatively.

Face the Challenges.

When you are batting and facing a fast bowler, if you run away it is all over. You have to stand there and face the bowling to have a chance of winning. The balls being thrown are like the challenges we have to face every day: the answer is not trying to escape from them, but to stand there and let the bat (our actions) do the talking.

Take the Unexpected in Your Stride.

The runout of Devaa, the "Mankading" (bowler running out the non-striker before delivering the ball) of the kid (and thus, Ismail), Russel's kicking the ball for a boundary towards the end to keep Bhuvan away from the strike - unfortunate things will always happen. One cannot dwell or worry too much about the setbacks. One has to take them with the good and move on.

It's about Team Spirit.

However good and passionate Bhuvan was, he could not have won the match on his own. Cricket needs eleven players. It is a team game. So is business. Individual brilliance means a lot, but as Bhuvan showed, an average group filled with team spirit and playing with passion can overcome a group of talented, experienced but under-motivated individuals. Members must put the Team before Self. Take the time when Bhuvan is batting with Bhura, and he (Bhuvan) slips while going for a run. Bhura pushes Bhuvan away to the other half of the pitch, and sacrifices his own wicket because he knows that the captain is the one who can lead the way.

It's about People.

Lagaan is about how ordinary people can do extraordinary deeds. We all have it within us. Look at the Reader's Digest "Drama In Real Life" stories. When the occasion comes, people - each one of us - can do amazing things.

The Legacy of Lagaan

Movies come and go. Ever so often, one movie comes and leaves a mark, an indelible impression -

Because it succeeds in bringing out something from within us. Something which has been hidden and perhaps long forgotten. Something whose existence which we didn't even know about. As we go about our lives, we need to be reminded that each of us matters, that each of us has it within us to make a difference. Living in today's India makes optimists out of all us ("tomorrow can only be better"). But it is we who have to create tomorrow's India. Our ideas, our vision, our skills have to come together to build this New India. Lagaan's Bhuvan stokes us somewhere to become part of that team.

Salient Messages that the movie seemed to have delivered

Relentless spirit to fight

“nothing is impossible for nobody”
“don't give up till the end”
“convincing people is very tough, the way Aamir did it was really very good”
“whatever you dream you can achieve”
“strive hard for upholding your nation”
“fear not; only believe”
“never underestimate anyone”
“don't be afraid of anybody... live like a lion”

Accepting the challenge, being open-minded

“reminds us of our moral strength”
“signals hope as against despair”
“instills confidence and inspires”
“to not miss opportunities, one has to take risks”
“looking at their peaceful struggle and rebellion against injustice”
“to see someone who can do something revolutionary even if it meant taking big risks”
“that unity in diversity, patriotism and equality are relevant values”
“if all are against us, God is there for us”
“where there is a will there a way”
“shows that we can achieve whatever we want”

Team work

“spirit and power of team work”
“will power and determination”
“unity and focus on common goal”
“about how people can achieve the impossible by coming together, irrespective of castes”
“unity is strength”

Learning

“zeal and willingness to learn”
“the transformation from ignorance to winning is something”
“even if you don't know something you can learn and achieve it”

Don’t Laugh. While it is not often that movies offer more than entertainment, ever so often there come movies which can make a deep impact and teach us a few things.My presentation takes a different path as I share what we learnt from this movie. It is about Bhuvanr, who, against all odds, fight for pride - and win.

LAGAAN’S BHUVAN 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. Bhuvan is courageous young man who leads an unskilled team and against all odds reaches the goal. He is an excellent example of a great leader. This is the story about the resilience shown by the Indians when they were under the British Rule. When Captain Russell announces that he will double the Lagaan (tax) from all villagers, they decide to oppose it. Leading the villagers is a handsome young man named Bhuvan, who challenges them to a game of cricket, a game that is to be played by veteran British cricket players, versus villagers, including Bhuvan himself, who have never played this game before.

BHUVAN’S LEADERSHIP 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. 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. He not only dreamt big but also put in place a strategy to make that a reality. 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.

BHUVAN’S LEADERSHIP 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. 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. Building the Team 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. 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.

BHUVAN’S LEADERSHIP Leading 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. Make the Best of Limited Resources We can see how Bhuvan makes the bat and ball with limited resources and later how the pads are made. When Bhuvan and his team are practicing at night - the entire village is gathered around their team with mashaals to create the light. The villagers of Champaner have limited resources, but they make the best use of them. It’s about Team Spirit However good and passionate Bhuvan was, he could not have won the match on his own. Cricket is a team game. So is business. Individual brilliance means a lot, but as Bhuvan showed, an average group filled with team spirit and playing with passion can overcome a group of talented, experienced but under-motivated individuals.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS FUNCTIONS OF LEADERSHIP BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE TEAM ACHIEVING THE TASK DEVELOPING THE INDIVIDUAL

LEADERSHIP TRAITS FUNCTIONS OF LEADERS

THE UPWARD SPIRAL OF LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP TRAITS

LEADERSHIP TRAITS OF BHUVAN OUTWARD LEADER - Leads outside the team, but on it’s behalf - Represents the team, it’s needs or interests 2. EXEMPLAR - Re-affirms norms, standards and values of the team - Pulls the team ‘back on track’ INWARD LEADER - Focuses on task performance - Crystallizes the team’s vision, values and direction ECCENTRIC - The creative innovator - Sees the opportunities and possibilities in situation

TRAITS OF BHUVAN ALERTS TO CHANGING DEMANDS, NEEDS AND PRIORTIES AND ‘FLEXES’ ACCORDINGLY –He showed great flexibility when needed GOOD MANAGEMENT OF CONFLICTS -Het used the conflicts as a fighting tool in his winning streak 3. GREAT MOTIVATOR

“A Leader is One Who Can Lay a Firm Foundation With The Bricks Others Have Thrown At Him”

THINKS OF PROBLEMS AS OPPORTUNITIES: Captain Russell’s challenge to Bhuvan to play the cricket match was taken up by Bhuvan as an opportunity to bring happiness into the lives of his village folk.

DREAM BIG AND DEFINETHE GOAL: Bhuvan accepting the challenge to play the cricket match as winning it meant3yrs of TAX FREE happiness. But he did not just dream BIG he also chalked out a strategic plan of action to win the match. He then put it before eyes of those, whose involvement was of importance in the match.

BHUVAN DID NOT DREAM FOR HIMSELF: He dreamt for the good of his village folk .Not once did this man of character put his self-interest before that of others. It was this that made him win the support of his villagers though after some initial resistance.

BE DETERMINED IN FACE OF OPPOSITION: Right from the start when the entire village opposes Bhuvan’s having taken up the challenge to the time when the rest of his team refuses to play because he wants to take in an untouchable in the team.
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: Bhuvan simplified the challenge of learning cricket by portraying it as something similar to gilli-danda.
Analogies have that effect and can be powerful in helping tame the seemingly difficult.

As managers and leaders, we too have this task of motivating the team members to take up challenges in the projects.

MAKE A BEGINNING: Bhuvan did not wait to start. He did not see around .He made bat and a ball got the kid interested and started .
Only when we close the door behind us we will see the doors in front start opening.

SMALL VICTORIES ARE IMPORTANT AT THE START: Bhuvan hitting the ball for the first time in full public view and inculcating a feeling of participation among them.
When starting any project it is important to have small wins at the start to motivate the team.

BUILDING THE TEAM: Building the team is like recruitment one needs to select the right people and motivate them.
.He understands the pressures and the soft points to make them part of his team. Each one of his team members is treated as special, as being different.

ALLOCATING ROLES: .Bhuvan also assigns responsibilities to each of his people.

Just getting the people in the team is not good enough. They have to be told what the goal is. 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 team members to the hilt, even when they make mistakes.
It is indeed important in any team that the captain backs the right person at the right time for the right job.

PASSION AS THE DIFFERENTIATOR: Bhuvan and his team members played for the hopes and aspirations of their villagers.It was their passion that made the difference.
As leaders we allhave to be careful of what we say and do, for the slightest sign of weakness can get magnified withinthe team.

LEAD FROM THE FRONT: NEVER GIVE UP …..that was Bhuvan’s winning mantra.
This attitude of his also enabled him togive his best shot even at the last ball and thus win the match.
In sport, in business and in life….always be alert,because you never know when opportunity may knock your door.

DEFINE THE ENEMY: To the British it was just a game but for Bhuvan it was fight against the British oppressors and a win against them would bring 3 years of TAX FREE life for his village folk.
For Bhuvan the enemy was defined as bad oppressors and mercilessBritish overlords.This clear definition helped him tofight towards a specific goal.
In any case having a clerly defined enemy works as rallying point for the team.

OVERCONFIDENCE DESTROYS: Captain Russel and his team members thought that the match would be a cakewalk for them because they were a lot of good experienced.
But here they committed a mistake, they were confident and overlooked the ability of the enemy and this is what made them lose the match.
Anyone can take a lesson from here,to never overestimate oneself and underestimate others.

TRAIN AND PRACTICE: There are no shortcuts for physical and mental fitness. Bhuvan and his team strongly believed it and never compromised on it.
There is only one mantra: To be well trained and have a good enough practice….which is HARD WORK!

CELEBRATE SMALL WINS: Small celebrations help in motivating and encouraging the team. It also helps to lift the spirits of the team members .
This was well projected by Bhuvan’s team.
Ever wondered how many of us actually celebrate small wins in our workplace?

NEVERGIVE UP: Even the last ball of the match was played with hope 5 runs to win out of 1 ball,but Bhuvan played it great expectations as though it could win the match for the team and that is exactly what happened.
He never gave up on his ability and this is what made him win the match.
In sport,in life or in business always be alert and keep giving your best to situation because you never know when opportunity strikes.

FAITH IN GOD: The mantra helped Bhuvan and trust me …it always helps.
When everything else seems lost,God shows the way of course as long as you are on the right side.

MAKETHE BEST OF LIMITED RESOURCES: Bhuvan made the best out of his limited resources.The tools for the game were all made by the village folk and were made out of the best that they could lay their hands on.
As entrepreneur we too must be innovative. The focus should be on getting the work done and not on the availability of resources.

TAKETHE UNEXPECTEDIN YOUR STRIDE: One after the other all the good batsmen in Bhuvan’s team fell ,but he did not lose heart,he played on his best shot and gave the team its victory.
Similarly one should not look at defects on the path as setbacks. One has to learn to take the unexpected in one’s stride and move on.

ITS ABOUT TEAM SPIRIT: No matter how well Bhuvan played in the match nothing would have been possible if all the members of the team would not have put in their efforts.
Bhuvan showed how an average team filled with team spiritcan overcome a group of talented experienced but under motivated individuals.