Warren Bennis' Article 'Differences Between Managers and Leaders' Used to Describe Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda
The real life story of Paul Rusesabagina, depicted in the movie Hotel Rwanda, displays the hardships and unique situations that can force people to take on a leadership position and endeavour through modern day predicaments and crisis. Critically acclaimed author Warren Bennis, an expert on Leadership studies, has himself served in the army as one of the youngest ever infantry officers and has been commemorated with awards of the highest order. In Bennis’ article ‘Differences between Managers and Leaders’ we can observe and recognise the qualities of Paul Rusesabagina’s journey towards becoming one of the greatest humanitarians and leaders of the 21st century.
In lines five and six of ‘Differences between Managers and Leaders’, Bennis describes that “A manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust”. It is arguably this transition between Pauls thinking and attitude that helped save over 1200 refugees and changed him from being merely a hotel manager, into a leader. As a manager of the luxurious Hotel des Milles Collines, Paul did not only rely on the cooperation and rule abiding workers, but depended on it to maintain an efficiently running workplace. When the Rwandan genocide started to unfold, all sense of regime and consistency were abolished and it took a completely knew way of thinking as well as interactions with others for Rusesabagina to remain in control and for those in his presence to cooperate on the basis of ‘trust’ apposed to that of duty. In the film when Colonel Oliver announces that there will be no help from the UN, the people trust Paul in that he knows what is best. Paul Rusesabagina: There will be no rescue, no intervention for us. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad, you must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us... say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as if you are reaching through the phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand,
In lines five and six of ‘Differences between Managers and Leaders’, Bennis describes that “A manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust”. It is arguably this transition between Pauls thinking and attitude that helped save over 1200 refugees and changed him from being merely a hotel manager, into a leader. As a manager of the luxurious Hotel des Milles Collines, Paul did not only rely on the cooperation and rule abiding workers, but depended on it to maintain an efficiently running workplace. When the Rwandan genocide started to unfold, all sense of regime and consistency were abolished and it took a completely knew way of thinking as well as interactions with others for Rusesabagina to remain in control and for those in his presence to cooperate on the basis of ‘trust’ apposed to that of duty. In the film when Colonel Oliver announces that there will be no help from the UN, the people trust Paul in that he knows what is best. Paul Rusesabagina: There will be no rescue, no intervention for us. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad, you must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us... say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as if you are reaching through the phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand,