Clint Eastwood has directed a masterpiece with a message that is far greater than a movie can normally promise. I know everyone is enamored by the creative brilliance of Avatar this season, but don’t miss out on becoming a better leader, social innovator and historian by watching Invictus. The film tells an inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freemon) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team (played by Matt Damon) to help unite South Africa. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation is threatened by racial and economic division in the wake of apartheid. This image was captured perfectly in the opening visual scene with a camera roll separating the black kids playing soccer on one side of the road and the white team playing rugby on the other side of the road, separated by two fences and a dirt road. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela inspires South Africa’s rugby team to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match. Yes, I was inspired by the effort of the sporting team. Yes, I was impressed by the story of the team defeating odds through teamwork and determination. But, I was most impressed with Nelson Mandela. This story made me want to learn more about his life and get into the mind of a modern day liberator. Mandela may be the most inspiring living leaders that many of us have never known.

Mandela is a leader of social change unlike many of us have ever imagined. Below are a few insights I learned about leading social change through the lens of Nelson Mandela:

1. To create social change, leaders must have a vision above the crowds to see what others do not see.
2. To integrate social change, leaders must inspire potential influential people not currently using their influence.
3. To prioritize social change, leaders must unite unlikely people groups in unusual places.
4. To lead social change, leaders must live what is spoken and prioritize the vision with their lifestyle.
5. To win social change, leaders must smile and be winsome to all people.
6. To inspire social change, leaders must let others embrace the vision and gain a personal responsibility.
7. To focus on social change, leaders must not be distracted by others peoples prioritized important initiatives.
8. To celebrate social change, leaders must not be in hurry to move on, be encouraged in the moment of transformation and enjoy the party.