Leadership Lessons from the Movies
Arrival (2016
Directed by Denis Villeneuve | Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker
By Dr. Paul Dannar
Arrival is a 2016 science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Amy Adams, Jeremy
Renner, and Forest Whitaker. The film follows Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist asked to help the world
communicate with mysterious visitors whose language, motives, and meaning are unknown.
At first glance, Arrival appears to be a story about aliens. However, its deeper leadership lesson is
about how leaders interpret meaning when the facts are incomplete, emotions are high, and the
pressure to act is immediate.
Twelve spacecraft have appeared around the world. No one knows why they are there or what
their occupants want. Governments want answers. Militaries prepare for the possibility of conflict.
Political leaders face frightened populations. Every hour without an explanation increases the
pressure to make a conclusion.