662 film project final
DESCRIPTION
OL 662 film project PowerPointTRANSCRIPT
06.30.2012Quinnipiac UniversityOL662 Principled LeadershipDr. M. Goralski
Lead Investigators:
Lucy Akers Michelle Montepara Karla Natale Brett Orzechowski
Michael Clayton: A Film Analysis
Agenda
Movie Overview
Ethical Leaders Michael Clayton Karen Crowder Arthur Edens The Partners
Connection to OL662 teachings
Conclusions
The Film- “Michael Clayton”
U-North Agrochemical business In middle of class-action lawsuit Product fatally poisoned hundreds Company was aware product contained carcinogens
Michael Clayton’s law firm is representing U-North.
Through an intricate story and interwoven plotlines,the characters face heightening ethical dilemmas.
Video: I’m a Janitor
.
Michael ClaytonAttorney at Kenner, Bach & Ledeen. Firm’s “fixer.” Film’s protagonist.
Work Ethical Dilemmas Became the “fixer” after a few years of litigation Conflicted with his “fixer” role Faces an ethical dilemma with each case
Primary Ethical Dilemma Must help Arthur Edens, chief litigator for U-North Put aside personal friendship for the firm’s benefit
Michael Clayton (continued)
Family/Personal Ethical Dilemmas Clayton owes $75,000 to a loan shark Has severe gambling problem Uses his leverage with brother, a NYPD officer
Evil Representation Dreadful pleasure Bureaucracy Choice Ordinary
Work Ethical Dilemmas Suppresses case evidence Orders successful murder of Arthur Edens Orders unsuccessful murder of Michael Clayton
Karen is consumed with appearances Compulsive, neurotic and manipulative
Evil Representation Deception Bureaucracy Choice
Karen CrowderChief Counsel, U-North
Video: They Killed Them
Expert Power
Misplaced/Broken Loyalties
Change in ethics led to challenge of dissent
Evil Representation
Deception
Bureaucracy
Choice
Ordinary
Arthur EdensAttorney at Kenner, Bach & Ledeen. Chief Litigator for U-North Case.
The PartnersKenner, Bach & Ledeen
“Just Fix It” attitude Denial and greed Inappropriate responses with celebrations Evil Representation Ordinary
Moral Imagination:A Shadow of Leadership
Reproductive Imagination - Aware of elements of the context
Productive Imagination - Reframing the problem
Creative Imagination - New and morally sound solutions
Video: I’m Not The Enemy.
Possible Ethical Implications
Loss of reputation
Loss of job/position
Collapse of business
Loss of life
Making the wrong kinds of enemies
Criminal implications
Feeding addictions
Mental breakdowns
Evil allowed to flourish
What Actually Happened
Arthur – Clarity via mental illness
Karen – Confronted and arrested
Michael – Awakened to new lifestyle
Video: The Final Scene.
Conclusions
The film “Michael Clayton” is an excellent example of ethical struggles in the business environment.
The shadows of leadership can be extremely detrimental.
It is important to understand the ethical implications of decisions.
References
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). (n.d.). The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.imdb.com and http://www.imdb.com.libraryproxy.quinnipiac.edu/find?q=michael+clayton&s=all
Johnson, C. (2012). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow, 4th
edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Michael Clayton - George vs Tilda -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G041ho8nnZU
Michael Clayton - "I'm not a miracle worker, I'm a janitor" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube -Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKVkHRGc-60
Michael Clayton - "I'm not the enemy" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmTAR3Rv5E&feature=relmfu
Michael Clayton - "They Killed Them!" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzhpP07Hhms&feature=relmfu