In the Human Side of Enterprise (1967), Douglass McGregor outlines two distinct leadership styles. The X Leader, according to McGregor, demonstrates a leadership style that is pessimistic, negative, and formal. This type of leader often is one that micro manages from the top down. The X Leader tends to view members of the team as subordinate and lacks trust and confidence in the team. On the other hand, McGregor states that the Y Leader is positive, optimistic, informal, and often creates an environment conducive to team productivity. Typically, the Y Leader’s positive beliefs are not articulated, but rather demonstrated by his behaviors that clear the way for the team to do the best jobs they know how to do.
Two characters in Crimson Tide illustrate McGregor’s X and Y leadership styles. Commander Ramsey (Gene Hackman), the CO, can be seen as an X style leader. Lieutenant Commander Hunter (Denzelle Washington), the XO, can be seen as a Y style leader. The following scenes illustrate these styles.
In the first clip, Ramsey attempts to rally his soldiers around their mission through the use of humor and by attempting to evoke pride via the name of the sub, The Alabama. However, he emphasizes that he is in charge and expects the men (his “little ducks”) to do what he says when he says it, no matter what; he “expects” and “demands” that the men keep up with him on his boat. If the men find that they are unable to keep up, he threatens to put his boot in their gluteus maxima. (blog)
In the next scene, Ramsey attempts to “test” Hunter under the guise of sharing a cigar with him. Ramsey informs Hunter that he (Hunter) has risen in his (Ramsey’s) estimation because of his (Ramsey’s) actions, underscoring that he had minimal confidence in Hunter’s credentials. Again, Ramsey makes clear that he is in charge of the sub. (DVD, 6)
The third scene shows Ramsey attempting to bait Hunter into a debate about the theory of war. During the discussion, Ramsey “talks down” to Hunter, gives him sarcastic names, and feigns deference to Hunter in an attempt to undermine Hunter’s point of view. Ramsey does all this in front of the other officers who help run the team so as to establish dominancy. (blog)
In each of these scenes, Ramsey continually attempts to assert the top down leadership style and is often aggressive and defensive in how he justifies his actions. Small things, such as tone of voice, a look of exasperation, or sarcastic complement underscore his X style leadership.
Hunter’s style of leadership, on the other hand, is more Y-like in nature. An example of this style is shown when Hunter witnesses a fight in the galley. He does not break up the fight, but lets the men handle it. He then asks one of the soldiers involved what the fight was about, reminding the soldier of his potential to get a commission if he did not participate in such behavior. After warning the soldier, Hunter then identifies with the soldier on a personal level by taking his side of the argument. “You have to set an example even in the face of stupidity.” (blog,2:40-3:37)
Immediately after the fight, Hunter attempts to alert Ramsey of the low morale of the men on the ship. Ramsey is not pleased with the crew’s performance on a drill and says that the men need a “kick in the ass” while Hunter says they need a “pat on the back.” Ramsey sarcastically notes that Hunter “has the pulse of the men” and makes a general announcement to the crew inviting anyone who has low morale or is on edge to leave the ship. (blog, 3:37-5:35)
In another instance, the radio is broke at a time when communication with the outside world is paramount. Hunter finds out who is in charge, addresses him by name, and lays out the problem. Hunter then exercises his trust by turning over control of the situation to the soldier, leaving the solution with him. Hunter lightens an otherwise grave situation by using humor and finding something that could break the tension while at the same time underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Later, he checks with the radio repair man and provides brief encouragement to him. (dvd, 22?)
Similarly, Hunter gives Wheps, the only officer who has the combination to the launch codes a layout of the situation, and a vote of total confidence. Hunter knows Wheps will “make up (his) own mind,” even in the face of incredible pressure. Hunter does not try to coerce Wheps, but rather appeals to him and gives him the confidence to do what he thinks is right. Ramsey, on the other hand, uses several unethical methods to coerce Wheps into opening the combination. (dvd, 26)
In the final scene, Ramsey asserts his X Leadership style by assaulting Hunter in an attempt to sway Hunter’s choice not to fire the missiles. Hunter shows his Y Leadership style by not relinquishing the key and not hitting Ramsey back. His pacifism is not a sign of weakness, but an immense display of strength that wins the day. (dvd, 28)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I tend to disagree. Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Y do not really work on a submarine. The reason is trust is not only needed but required of the captain. He himself can not sustain the whole ship, rather the crew is given autonomy in reacting to certain situations. I would further say that a little of X and Y are taking place in this movie, depending on the situation. In fact most military tactics rely on Theory Y as a generally used concept.
ReplyDelete