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. 2025 Mar;2025(185):39-43.
doi: 10.1002/yd.20656. Epub 2025 Feb 25.

Ready, Set, Leadership Development! Using Films in Developing Leaders

Gordon B Schmidt  1 , Stephanie A Van Dellen  2 , Sy Islam  3
Affiliations

Ready, Set, Leadership Development! Using Films in Developing Leaders

Gordon B Schmidt et al. New Dir Stud Leadersh. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

While films are primarily created as a means of amusement, their potential values go beyond entertainment. This article highlights how films can be a useful part of leadership development. We underscore how such development can come in self-study by people, in educational programs, or as part of leadership development in organizations. We discuss how research has found particular films and specific uses to be effective. We cover our own examples of how films can be used in engaging ways to help learning. We then cover how this could fully be used in a class. We then offer major considerations in using films effectively. We conclude by offering some warnings and critiques for using film and how to avoid the challenges they present.

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