Differences Between Managers and Leaders

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, you will die. We must shame them into sending help. Hotel Rwanda in IMDB 2004. It is in this part of the movie that Paul takes full control and responsibility of the refugees in the hotel and in turn starts to reach his full potential as a leader.

During the film Paul Rusesabagina displays a consistently courageous, level headed and well intentioned approach to the refugees survival. In Differences between Managers and Leaders Warren Bennis states that “The manager administers; the leader innovates”. Through Paul’s innovation many lives on many occasions were saved. In the film, Paul does not abandon his managerial skills. A part of what makes him such a great leader is his knowledge and aptitude in managing and his ability to incorporate them in roles where he has to be a leader. As a manager Rusesabagina provides hospitality and shelter, critical not only for survival but for keeping the Hutu military at bay and as a leader he provides and administers these orders. As the genocide continued, conditions at the hotel deteriorated as did the supplies. Paul as a leader is forced to innovate: he abandons the need for “style” (Hotel Rwanda 2004, DVD), rations food supplies and resorts to using water from the pool for essentials. Without Paul’s knowledge of hospitality, many people would have died, his empathy, intuition and intelligence gave the refugees in his hotel a fighting chance, and to them he was a true hero as well as a leader.

Bennis’ article ends on the lines “The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.” Over the entire film, Paul Rusesabagina was rising and changing into the great leader the Tutsi refugee’s needed him to be. Paul Rusesabagina knew what was right and knew what he had to do even if it was unorthodox. Actor Don Cheadle, who played Paul in the film, describes Paul as [initially]” being very concerned about his family, but ends up wanting to help others”. At the start of the film, Paul’s main concern is the welfare of his family: and this does not change, however Paul does reassess his new found duties as a leader. In the film we are shown that Paul, his family and a small amount of other Rwandans have been granted refuge in international areas. Paul is faced with the ultimatum of abandoning his ‘flock’ or his family. It is at this part of the movie that Paul is in conflict with his duties as a father and as a leader. Paul says to his wife “`I’m not coming with you, because so far I’m the only person who can negotiate with the killers” (Rusesabagina 2006, 263). Pauls sacrifice and courage to do what’s right sets him apart from a manager, and makes him one of the most admirable leaders for decades.

Word of Pauls activities did not remain isolated in Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina had become a symbol of hope and courage. However, this was not enough to make countries intervene. News reporter Jack told Paul in Hotel Rwanda [that] “I think if people see this footage they’ll say, ‘oh my God that’s horrible,’ and then go on eating their dinners.” (Hotel Rwanda in IMDB 2004). The reality for Paul was that ultimately they were on their own. It is examples like this that show how heroic Paul was; that in spite of survival being almost unrealistic he still fought for what he believed in . The real life Paul Rusesabagina wrote in his autobiography on the matter.

“I still wonder how policy officials… can sit down at the table with their families and have any appetite for food, or go to sleep at night, knowing that they failed to act. Human beings were sacrificed for political convenience. This would be enough, I think, to turn any reasonable man into a prisoner of his own conscience for the rest of his life.” (Rusesabagina 2006, 182) Not only did Paul achieve great things during the genocide, but he continued to afterwards. Paul’s writing, speeches and journey have become exemplary to all on matters of leadership, international affairs and war in general. Bennis states that “A manager maintains; the leader develops” and it is Paul’s ability to not give up in his attempt to change the status quo and help people learn from such terrible events to make a difference in society that shows how Paul was and continues to be a leader.

To be a leader takes many qualities, many of these outlined in Warren Bennis’ article. Paul Rusesabagina, a man placed in a horrible situation rose to the circumstances and from a manager learnt to become a leader. Paul’s conviction, bravery and sacrifice make him undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest humanitarians and leaders, and is a true example to all that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things.