The film, ideally, should be assigned to be viewed outside of class time. During class the instructor will queue up several scenes to prompt discussion. Below is a list of discussion questions to guide the interpretation of the film: 

◆ Under what conditions are individuals willing and motivated to accept empowerment?

◆ What is the effect of individual differences in empowerment?

◆ What are the effects of specific leader behaviors on followers, and do the effects differ by follower?

◆ What is the importance of background factors, such as the norms in place in the institution or the role of other influential individuals to the process?

◆ How does leadership come to be shared and how do the roles transition between various characters?

◆ How can empowerment go awry if followers do not have sufficient skills to make sound judgment, and how can you attempt to prevent this from happening

◆ How do we apply the principles we have been discussing to organizations?

Film description. The film Dead Poets Society is set at a private school – the Welton Academy for boys. During their first class with their English teacher, Mr. Keating, the boys are taken out into the hallway where he tells them they are bright individuals, with the power to choose their own path – to essentially become self - leaders. This is in stark contrast to the teaching norms at the academy. As such, Mr. Keating clearly demonstrates empowering leader behavior. As the movie progresses, we steadily see the boys take on this newfound empowerment and become effective self - leaders.

One day, one of the boys finds an old yearbook with Mr. Keating in it, where Mr. Keating listed the Dead Poets Society (DPS) as one of his important school activities. When questioned about it, Mr. Keating replies that the DPS was dedicated to finding meaning, that the members would sit in a cave near a pond and recite poetry. Subsequently, the boys decide to start up the DPS once again, ultimately demonstrating effective shared leadership in the process.

Unfortunately, we also get to witness empowerment gone awry, when the boys abuse their empowerment and begin drinking, smoking, going to parties, and otherwise running amok. Upon finding out about this, Mr. Keating counsels the boys to be wise, not foolish, with their empowerment.

In a plot twist, Mr. Keating is inappropriately made a scapegoat when one of the boys commits suicide, and he is terminated from his position. When Mr. Keating enters the classroom for the final time, several of the boys stand on their desks and call him O Captain!, My Captain!, as a way of demonstrating their sincere appreciation for how he empowered them to grow and expand their lives. The final message of the film is that people should think for themselves and be capable self - leaders, while empowering others in like kind.