Studying movies offers a guide to leaders

Henry V isn't the only leader described by popular culture whose behaviour is claimed to offer insights into your own.

According to a British management school, so can the leadership styles of Denzel Washington in the film Malcolm X, and Mark Hamill, Star Wars' Luke Skywalker.

West Sussex' Roffey Park Management Institute in April launched a course called Images of Leadership.

"Films are a uniquely powerful shared experience," says Roffey's assistant director, Paul Roberts.

"Research shows that they influence us far more than most of us realise, and that their leaders, in particular, impel us."

Film analysis does not aim to encourage imitation, he says, "but to examine, in depth, both different styles and their potential impact on colleagues and staff."

Take Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia: "Lawrence was the quintessential British leader," says Roberts. "He was charismatic and principled, yet he also kept a distance because of his lack of hunger for glory, something today's business leaders would do well to consider."

Marlon Brando's Godfather is an example of ambiguity in leadership, but Roberts admits that good female examples in film are hard to find. Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl has been criticised as female leadership through the eyes of men.

Dr John Proctor, visiting professor at Exeter University's centre for leadership studies, issues one warning.

"Leadership in film is about personality. Leadership in reality is about processes."