Articles

  Lesson n°12, is not a particular scene but something that is shown throughout the film, “The power of questions” Socrates only had questions in his “tool box” and he made a great reputation for himself by using the judiciously. Questions are one of the...

  Lesson n°11 is, quite possibly my favourite scene, is the from the final scene in the jury room, when juror n°8 hands his “nemesis” his coat. This scene sums up, at least for me, what leadership is all about; it’s not about criticising people, it’s not about...

  Lesson n°10, “Beware of prejudices”, comes from the tirade by juror n°10, a stalwart of the “guilty camp”. This is a very powerful scene, where, even those “on the same side” as juror n°10 slowly take their distance by either moving away or turning their backs....

  Lesson n°8 puts the spotlight on another juror; it is not only juror n°8 that shows leadership during the film – but that could be the subject of another series of posts. Juror n°11 is one of the quieter members of the jury and not prone to emotional outbursts;...

  The washroom scene is somewhat different from the others, juror n°8 is not “in the thick of the action”. First, he interreacts with juror n°7 and then juror n°6 comes in and after a short exchange, says to juror n°8, “and what if you are wrong; what if you...

  The Ladder of Inference is a model created by Chris Argyris and the old man’s apartment scene is a very good example of the model in use. Everyone, except of course juror n°8, has accepted that the old man in the appartement below was able to get out of bed,...

  The scene based around the discussion of the metro train passing in front of the window is an excellent example of lesson five, “systems thinking”. Juror n°8 fights hard to stay focused while juggling with multiple pieces of information; the speed of the train,...

  The fourth lesson, “the importance of the first follower”, highlights a “tipping point” when influencing others. Up to this point, juror n°8 had been on his own; not everyone was attacking him or criticism his position, but no one was actively supporting him....

  This third lesson, “Take Risks” is another leadership hallmark; taking risks shouldn’t be confused with being reckless. Juror n°8 proposes a second vote, but this time a “secret vote”, as opposed to the first, “hands-in-the air” vote If we go back to the first...

  This second lesson “Be prepared” is quite possibly a precursor of the previous lesson “Stand up and be counted”; it’s the being prepared that, maybe, stops you getting shot down. This scene is an excellent example, not only of being prepared, but also of the...