Compare and Contrast Paper
Ray Sweeney
CMJ 306
October 4, 2012
Don Crist

Abstract

In the following paper, this author will compare and contrast the communication lessons learned in the assigned reading and movie. This author will discuss the successes and failures that can be created by effective communication or the lack thereof.

Compare and Contrast Paper Effective communication is key to successful leadership. According to Schroeder and Lombardo (2006), there are ten principles for effective communication. They are; know your objectives, choose your language, consider your environment, rehearse, know your spoken and unspoken message, role play, feedback, hypocrisy, don’t over communicate and listen (p. 99). All of the were used by President Lincoln (Phillips 1993). A leader must be able to use all of the above steps in order to communicate an effective message and get the end results he or she wants. President Lincoln was a very effective communicator and felt that his communication style was key to his successes. Lincoln could talk to anyone using humor and witty stories, which he used as persuasive tools (p. 399). In comparison to Mandela in the movie Invictus (2009), Lincoln used his persuasive, yet honest communication style to win the election in 1860. Mandela was elected as President in 1990 after being incarcerated for 26 years and pledged an oath to unite the people of South Africa. Lincoln’s style was a bit different during the time he ran for president as he was told to remain silent (p. 386) and he only spoke when it was needed in order to alienate few people.
Mandela became President of South Africa during a time of turmoil, as did Lincoln. Lincoln battled the ramifications of the Civil War while Mandela was battling the ramifications of apartheid. In comparison, both conflicts involved race and civil disagreement. The communication methods used by both leaders were similar. In order to unite the people, both leaders looked for common ground. In the case of Mandela, he was able to use rugby. Rugby was a sport in which his country was represented, however did not have the support of the native Africans. The majority of the team in Invictus was white South Afrikaners. When the team would play, the native South Afrikaners would cheer for the other team. Mandela saw an opportunity to unite the country by using rugby and allowing the Springboks to keep their team colors and name, which represented the apartheid movement. Schroeder and Lombardo (2006) state that a vehicle is a necessary part of communication (p. 90). The vehicle is the way in which a message is delivered. The vehicle in Invictus was rugby and Mandela spent a large amount of time speaking to the team captain and clearly communicating his desire to unite the country.
Lincoln used story telling to get his point across (p. 408). There was always a purpose in the stories told by Lincoln and it was the effect of the stories that mattered to him. Mandela told Francois, the team captain about a poem that he recited while incarcerated that kept him going after all of the years. Later in the movie, Francois visits Mandela’s cell and is reminded of the poem, which has a lasting effect on him and his teammates. Mandela’s motives were honest in the movie and this was a huge part of his effectiveness in helping lead the team to victory and uniting the South Africans with rugby.
Lincoln in comparison to Mandela had honest intentions and conveyed that message to those who served with him or for him. They both fought for equality and to unite a nation that was divided and were both successful. This author finds it interesting that Lincoln and Mandela were so much alike. Even after so many years, communication style for effective leaders has not changed. By using the key ingredients in effective communication techniques, every leader can be successful. “Every leader must realize that the power to motivate followers resides almost solely in the ability to communicate effectively” (Phillips, D. p. 412). This quote was key for Mandela and Lincoln as they governed their countries.

Leaders of today and especially law enforcement leaders can learn many lessons form the readings and the movie. Communication can ether make or break you and being able to convey not only the proper message, but the true intent of the message is key. Failure to send the correct message can have devastating consequences. This author believes that while leadership styles may differ, there is a commonality with the way communication must take place to be effective.
One of the most important things a leader must have is a vision. According to Phillips (1993), a leader must not only have that vision, but must also continually reaffirmed it (p. 418). In Invictus, Mandela shared his vision with his with the people of South Africa and then reaffirms it by uniting the country’s rugby team to win the World Cup. During the entire movie, he reaffirmed his vision and took decisive steps to keep the tensions from resurfacing.
There were few things that this author read or watched that were in contrast of each other. The major differences were the fact that Mandela was incarcerated for 26 years, while Lincoln was not. They were both dynamic speakers and were able to gain the attention of any audience. Both came from very different backgrounds and obviously different centuries, but the fact remains that communication was essential in their successes.
Conclusion
The two books and the movie Invictus had some great comparisons. This author was impressed with how closely Lincoln and Mandela were alike in their leadership styles. It is obvious that communication was key to their success. Following the steps according to Schroeder and Lombardo (2006) can assist any leader with ensuring that they make well informed decisions and are able to send a clear and concise message. That message needs to be delivered with the utmost care and followed up on to ensure that the cycle is complete.

References
Phillips, D. (1993). Lincoln on leadership: Executive strategies for tough times. New York, NY:

Warner Books.

Schroeder, D. & Lombardo, F. (2006). Management and supervision of law enforcement

personnel (4th ed.) Charlottesville, VA: LexisNexis-Gould Publications.

Barber, G. & Birnbaum, R. (Executive Producers), & Eastwood, C. (Director). (2009) Invictus

[Motion picture]. United States: Warner Brothers Studios.