"Io Capitano!"
Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead through extreme adversity?
Many claim, "I'm the captain," without truly grasping what leadership entails. Leadership isn't about titles or positions; it's about attitudes and actions. This truth was vividly depicted in the Italian film "Io Capitano" (2023), which follows Seydou, a 16-year-old boy, as he navigates immense challenges.
Background: Seydou's Journey
Seydou, a 16-year-old boy from Senegal (West Africa), leaves his hometown with his cousin Moussa, driven by a dream of escaping poverty for a better life in Italy. Despite his young age, Seydou embarks on a strenuous journey, crossing the vast and unforgiving Sahara desert and the rough Mediterranean Sea. What kept him moving forward?
Leadership Lesson 1:
True leaders act when it matters, prioritizing their team's well-being even in tough times.
Seydou exemplifies this as he transits through Mali to reach Niger, where Seydou and Moussa join a group of 20 strangers, including women and children. They cross the treacherous desert on foot with a guide to reach Libya. The blazing sun, the endless dunes, and the scorched dead bodies sap their strength with each step. When a woman collapses from exhaustion, everyone else pushes on, to reach Libya on time. But, Seydou chooses to rescue her, giving her water and comfort with immense compassion. Many of us, in similar situations, feel clueless about what to do. Let me tell you, compassion highlights the core of leadership.
Leadership Lesson 2
Leadership is a mindset and not a skillset.
After enduring the desert's harshness, Seydou and the group are cruelly deceived and imprisoned by a Mafia. Despite brutal conditions, Seydou remains positive, motivating those around him. In Tripoli, after Seydou is released from servitude, he finds Moussa, who escaped jail but was shot in the leg. Seydou supports and stabilizes his cousin’s injury, inspiring him to keep moving forward even when hope seems lost. Unwavering optimism and motivation are traits that fuel leadership.
Leadership Lesson 3
Real leadership is about action, not titles.
The final leg of the journey is crossing the vast, Mediterranean Sea to reach Sicily. With no money for a proper passage, Seydou is offered only one option: to pilot the boat himself. With no prior experience steering a boat, Seydou grips the wheel tightly, his heart pounding with fear, thinking about the lives of hundreds of lives depending on him. His bravery in the face of such immense responsibility, and his willingness to confront the unknown, are the real essence of true leadership.
My Final Thoughts:
"Io Capitano" is an inspiring narrative that teaches us what it truly means to lead. It shows that real leaders emerge in the toughest circumstances, guided by empathy, bravery, and hope.
Compassion is the core of leadership. When you set out on the journey, optimism and motivation fuel your journey, and your courage accelerates your progress during adversity.
I urge every aspiring leader to embrace these lessons and start practicing them today. Are you ready to lead when it matters most?
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