Educational Media Reviews Online

This video examines what it takes to be a leader in today's society by examining the attributes and character of the legendary Don Quixote. Professor Emeritus James G. March of Stanford University's Graduate School of Business narrates and shows how the literary character Don Quixote is actually a fantastic role model of what a leader should be. Through engaging interviews with contemporary leaders and archival film footage of historic leaders in education, politics, and business as well as various Don Quixote movies of the 20th century, March explains how Quixote does not accept reality, imposes his creativity on others, and has exuberant vitality and optimism in the face of defeat.

March points to the passionate yet disciplined qualities of flamenco dancing as tenets to be adopted by successful leaders. There are three aspects of leadership that Don Quixote displays, that should be emulated: an active imagination and vision, a continual source of persistence and commitment, and a celebration of life/sense of humor. The narrator goes through each of these points throughout the video, filming at location in La Mancha, Spain, the legendary homeland of Don Quixote. In the end, March elucidates on three affirmations of leadership: joy in engagement, joy in identity/will (a sanity of identity rather than a sanity of reality), and a joy in beauty.

This acclaimed course, taught at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business by Dr. March, is a wonderful blending of art, music, literature, film, and business on the aspects of modern leadership. Passion and Discipline is highly recommended for leadership seminars, academic business and leadership classes, and anyone who wishes to discover what it means to be a leader in today's society.