Hidden Figures: Leadership Lessons from the Movie

The exercise directs students to watch specific scenes from the movie Hidden Figures, which is loosely based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly that tells the story of three African American women who were mathematicians working at the Langley Research Center in Virginia in the 1960s. The women encountered racism and sexism as they attempted to contribute to the Center’s work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its space race with the Soviet Union. The clips assigned to students for viewing portray moments of leadership in the story of the three Black women who were considered “human computers.” The students are expected to view the assigned clips and consider how the scenes portray leadership and what character dimensions the actors demonstrate in their roles.

The exercise can be used in courses or modules on leadership; character; equality, diversity, and inclusion; and performance management at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. The exercise is suitable not just for business programs but also for programs such as engineering, law, and the social sciences. Selected clips from the movie Hidden Figures are used to give meaning to leadership competencies, character, and commitment that contribute to effective leadership. After viewing the movie and working through the assignment questions, students will be able to discuss leadership lessons concerning equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace; specifically, they will<ul><li> discuss how dimensions of leader character independently and interactively support EDI-related behaviours;</li><li>reflect on how to create and support a workplace culture that enables individuals to be their best at work, thereby supporting departmental or organizational goals; and</li><li>reflect on their own leadership, especially considering how each individual can raise the standards in our respective personal and professional lives by developing strength of character, striving to make a difference, and contributing to the flourishing of teams, organizations, communities, and societies.</li></ul>

• leadership
• character
• diversity
• equity
• inclusion
• organizational culture