John Wayne's 1972 Film, The Cowboys
How A Non-Traditional Western Exemplifies Effective Leadership
Nov 14, 2009
The Cowboys, a 1972 western starring John Wayne and Roscoe Lee Browne, was an underrated jewel in Duke’s 1970s films, perhaps Wayne’s second-best role of the 1970s, except for his final film in 1976, The Shootist.
The Cowboys: The Plot
The Cowboys focuses on the relationship between a seasoned rancher and his crew of young adolescents during a cattle drive. As Wil Anderson, Wayne is faced with a sudden predicament when a gold rush develops, causing most of his veteran crew members to desert him before a scheduled cattle drive.
Only the cook, portrayed by veteran stage and film actor Roscoe Lee Browne, stays behind. Anderson then visits a local one-room schoolhouse where he persuades most of the boys to join his cattle drive.
Anderson then has to teach the boys “the ropes” of riding horses and pushing steers. Also, a character known as “Longhair,” portrayed by Bruce Dern, is introduced during the film’s first act.
Wanting a job from Anderson, he is not hired because he lies when talking about his previous cattle drive experience. As the film progresses, it is discovered that he has a gang who is intent on rustling the cattle from Anderson and the boys, or “cowboys.” With an unexpected, shocking conclusion, the boys are no longer boys, they have become men.
John Wayne's Effective Leadership
Several fundamental and powerful leadership concepts are found within the film. First, Wayne as Anderson is a leader who definitely inspires his crew through actions and words. Some of his methods for helping his crew reach their potential are quite unexpected.
In one scene that leaves a considerable impression, one of the boys has a stuttering problem. Unable to alert Anderson of the impending raid by Longhair, Anderson and the boy engage in a remarkable swearing scene. As a result, the boy loses his stuttering problem.
This and other scenes demonstrate Anderson's leadership capabilities. He has a “take-charge” attitude, and he knows the underlying principle of good triumphing over evil. He is a veteran rancher who makes the most of unfortunate circumstances by not giving up and selling his herd for a low price.
He demands much of the boys, yet he is willing to confide in the trail cook when he thinks he may be pushing the boys too hard. Even in death, his actions convince the boys to continue the trail drive by seeking out the rustlers.
In The Cowboys, Boys Become Men
By the film’s end, most, if not all, of the boys could become eventual trail bosses or ranchers. This was certainly not in evidence at the film’s beginning. In short, Wil Anderson is a transformational leader.
Effective leaders have self-confidence, humility, trust-worthiness, extraversion, assertiveness, sense of humor, courage, and a strong work ethic. These characteristics can be seen throughout the film in Wayne’s portrayal of Wil Anderson.
Ultimately, although Anderson dies, the cattle drive would not have been a success without the effective leadership and determination of the lead character.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
