These are changing times. The new Tom Hanks action film Greyhound was originally scheduled for June 12, 2020 theatrical release. However, because of COVID-19 Sony Pictures sold the rights to AppleTV for streaming beginning yesterday. It is 91 minutes of pure action delivered by the greatest actor of our generation.
Based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd written by C.S. Forester, this film chronicles Captain Ernest Krause, who leads the ship Greyhound and played by Tom Hanks, which leads a convoy of allied ships carrying supplies and thousands of soldiers across the Atlantic Ocean towards Britain during World War II.
Taking place in 1942 as part of the Battle of the Atlantic, there is a stretch of water known as the “Black Pit”. It is here where ships have no air support for approximately 50 hours from the German u-boats.
This movie is outstanding! It truly depicts the price a leader must pay emotionally, psychologically, relationally and physically for his organization, church, unit, or team to have success.
There is only one use of profanity which the crewman immediately apologizes for, therefore this film is very family-friendly. I used my AppleTV free trial to watch but there service is only $4.99 per month. This is a much better deal than going to the theater. Personally, I wish all movies were available at my home. I’m just sayin…
Before getting to the leadership quotes and lessons, I want to list 7 Prices All Leaders Must Pay I gleaned from the film:
- Leaders Pay The Price Of Time With Their Family – Captain Krause’s marriage proposal was temporarily turned down by Evelyn, played by Elisabeth Shue. She wanted to wait until things settled down and they could be together.
- Leaders Pay The Price Of Preparation – Captain Krause had to go through years of training to prepare to lead the Greyhound.
- Leaders Pay The Price Of Lost Relationships – One of Captain Krause’s friends on the ship is killed in combat.
- Leaders Pay A Physical Price – During the film, Captain Krause does not sleep or eat for three days. In addition, he is on his feet until they bleed.
- Leaders Pay The Price Of Hard Decisions – This is a wartime epic. Almost all of Captain Krause’s decisions will determine if people live or die.
- Leaders Pay The Price Of Being Misunderstood – This is wartime. Not everyone agrees with your decisions.
Bottom line – successful leaders pay a higher price than everyone else in the organization. This is the cost of leading.
The following are 25 Leadership Quotes and Lessons From The New Tom Hanks Movie Greyhound:
- The Organization’s Culture Is Determined By The Leader’s Behavior – In the movie’s opening scene, Captain Ernest is shown on his knees praying. He also said grace before each meal. Interestingly, all of those around him stopped and stood silently as he prayed. Finally, a crewman apologized for using foul language in the captain’s presence. Leadership determines direction and culture.
- Smart Leaders Have A Biblical Worldview – The Bible is the source of true wisdom. Captain Krause had the verse Hebrews 13:8 posted on his mirror. God’s Word, the Bible, was clearly, the foundation of his worldview.
- It Take A Leader To Navigate Turbulent Waters – The sees of the North Atlantic were rough to say the least. So will parts of your leadership be. Only leaders can successfully navigate people through those troubled times.
- The Greatest Enemies Are Often The Ones You Can’t See – This concept is easy for us to understand living in a COVID world. During the film, the u-boats could only be picked up on sonar and were often unseen until action was required.
- Excellence Is Not A One-Time Moment. It Only Comes From Countless Repetitions – Captain Krause said, “Repetition will bring hell down from on high.”
- Smart Leaders Have An Economy Of Words – On a battleship there is not a lot of talking. The crewmen trust their leader.
- Leaders Must Make Tough Decisions And Then Give Clear Instructions All While Having Limited Information – Utilizing only sonar and a pair of binoculars, Captain Krause had to make decisions which impacted tens of thousands of lives.
- A Lack Of Clarity Results In A Lack Of Trust – Leaders don’t have to always be right, but they must always be clear. A lack of clarity causes confusion and a lack of trust.
- Teamwork Makes The Dream Work – After sinking the first u-boat, Captain Krause told his ship, “This is the Captain. It seems we sank our target. This is an all-hands job.”
- Leaders Never Confuse Activity With Accomplishment – Captain Krause notified command central, “We have sighted evidence of a kill.”
- The Reward For Quality Work Is The Opportunity To Do More Work – There was no time for an extended celebration or resting on their laurels. After sinking the first u-boat, they immediately went into another series of battles.
- Why You Made The Mistake Is More Important Than If You Make A Mistake – No one is perfect. Mistakes will be made during your leadership. Your team wants certainty more than accuracy.
- Your Enemy Often Taunts You – The ship received several radio transmissions from the u-boat The Grey Wolf advising how they would lose all their men and ships. Once such transmission said, “We watch your ships sink into the deep. We hear the screams of your comrades as they die… The Grey Wolf is so very hungry.”
- Smart Leaders Always Have Margin – The ship ran through its supply of depth chargers long before it left the Black Pit. It also experience trouble with its radar system. Whether it is with people, systems, or resources, smart leaders always plan in margin just in case troubled times arise.
- Often Leaders Do Not Have The Privilege Of Having Time To Grieve – When three members of his crew were killed in action, they stopped for a brief funeral. And then immediately went back into combat.
- We Should Reply Immediately To People Needing Help – Captain Krause told his XO Charlie Cole, played by Stephen Graham, to radio the Admiral, “Help needed urgently.” To which XO Cole replied, “Help needed means urgently.”
- Leaders Get To Determine The Decisions They Make. They Do NOT Get To Determine The Consequences. – Captain Krause told XO Cole, “I should have taken this risk yesterday.” He replied, “What you did yesterday got us today.”
- Successful Leaders Are Exhausted Leaders – Captain Krause had not eaten or slept for several days.
- Leaders Are Bleeders – By the fifth day of combat in the Black Pit, Captain Krause also had blisters on his feet which had burst. His troops noticed the bloody floor and price he was personally paying as he left the bridge.
- The Difference Between Success And Failure Is Inches – The difference between success and failure is often minute. The Greyhound survived one torpedo attack by mere inches. Rather than hitting the ship head-on, the torpedo grazed the ship at an angle and ricocheted off into the ocean. Mere inches separated a ricochet with no lives lost from a direct hit with thousands of casualties.
- Don’t Quit – Hang on until help arrives. Air support finally arrived and the fortunes of combat were immediately changed.
- Leaders Are Known By Their Results – In 48 hours, Greyhound’s convoy lost 7 ships, 2 more were damaged, and as previously noted, 3 members of their crew were killed. However, they sank three u-boats.
- Successful Leaders Never Leave Their Post Until The Job Is Done – After standing on his feet and not eating for three days, Captain Krause finally told his first mate, “She’s all yours. I’ll be in my cabin if you need me.”
- People Desperately Need Great Leaders – The other ships cheered the Greyhound and its crew as they turned and headed back towards America. They also received a transmission from the other ships saying, “Thank you Greyhound. God Speed. Have a drink on us in Derry…”
- Successful Leaders Should Be Grateful Leaders – The movie ended as it began, Captain Krause on his knees praying. He prayed, “I graciously thank you my Heavenly Father for helping me this day.”
During the Battle of the Atlantic from 1939 to 1945, over 3,500 ships carrying millions of tons of cargo were sunk. 72,200 lives were lost.
Once again, this is a great film. If you are looking for great entertainment this weekend, I highly recommend Greyhound.
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