The Social Network by Gareth Tomlinson Azusa Pacific University Introduction The Social Network presents Mark Zuckerberg, perhaps one of the world’s most recognized emerging leaders in a fictional setting. The movie depicts Zuckerberg’s journey from Harvard sophomore to Facebook founder and leader. As the movie unravels, we are able to see the character of Zuckerberg as punk, prophet, genius, billionaire, and traitor. Displaying many leadership traits and styles, some positive, many negative, it would seem bold to critique the leadership approach of the world’s youngest billionaire, that is of course if one’s leadership ability is based off monetary wealth and gain. Still, how is someone who continuously counters most leadership theories and styles possess the ability to lead, revolutionized and transform how we socialize and interact throughout the world? Introduction The Social Network presents Mark Zuckerberg, perhaps one of the world’s most recognized emerging leaders in a fictional setting. The movie depicts Zuckerberg’s journey from Harvard sophomore to Facebook founder and leader. As the movie unravels, we are able to see the character of Zuckerberg as punk, prophet, genius, billionaire, and traitor. Displaying many leadership traits and styles, some positive, many negative, it would seem bold to critique the leadership approach of the world’s youngest billionaire, that is of course if one’s leadership ability is based off monetary wealth and gain. Still, how is someone who continuously counters most leadership theories and styles possess the ability to lead, revolutionized and transform how we socialize and interact throughout the world? Conclusion In concluding Zuckerberg’s leadership approach I would not suggest using him as a leader to model yourself on. I do not think it would be fair to critique Northouse’s (2010) Trait Theory Approach because it definitely presents some valid and necessary tools for leadership. I think we must bear in mind that Mark Zuckerberg is an anomaly in every possible way; his intellectual genius, his ability to create something that has changed how the world has operated, the amount of money he made at such a young age, I could go on. As many emerging companies appear to be e- commerce websites, it opens the possibility and perhaps need for looking at the leaders of companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, etc. and see how their leaders compare to the leaders of more traditional companies. If Facebook is dependent on people with large intellectual capacity, are like companies dependent on the same types of people? If so, and more of these companies begin to emerge, what does it do to the “geezer’s” of this world, those who have great experience and leadership attributes, but little or no computer coding or engineering capabilities, is it just a specialized realm for specialized people, or is this soon to become a requirement for all leaders of emerging new companies? Conclusion In concluding Zuckerberg’s leadership approach I would not suggest using him as a leader to model yourself on. I do not think it would be fair to critique Northouse’s (2010) Trait Theory Approach because it definitely presents some valid and necessary tools for leadership. I think we must bear in mind that Mark Zuckerberg is an anomaly in every possible way; his intellectual genius, his ability to create something that has changed how the world has operated, the amount of money he made at such a young age, I could go on. As many emerging companies appear to be e- commerce websites, it opens the possibility and perhaps need for looking at the leaders of companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, etc. and see how their leaders compare to the leaders of more traditional companies. If Facebook is dependent on people with large intellectual capacity, are like companies dependent on the same types of people? If so, and more of these companies begin to emerge, what does it do to the “geezer’s” of this world, those who have great experience and leadership attributes, but little or no computer coding or engineering capabilities, is it just a specialized realm for specialized people, or is this soon to become a requirement for all leaders of emerging new companies? Themes All his actions in fact oppose integrity and perhaps even question the importance of it in his time as a leader. I wondered if this could possibly be a sign of today’s emerging leaders, does the luxury of sitting behind a computer and reducing the interaction with other people to an absolute minimum whilst still remaining effective mean that such traits as integrity can be compromised, hopefully not. It does however reveal an upcoming truth about digitally savvy leaders, as shown in Zuckerberg’s character. If there was ever doubt about the emergence of millennials as or “geeks” as leaders, The Social Network should put an end to that. Themes All his actions in fact oppose integrity and perhaps even question the importance of it in his time as a leader. I wondered if this could possibly be a sign of today’s emerging leaders, does the luxury of sitting behind a computer and reducing the interaction with other people to an absolute minimum whilst still remaining effective mean that such traits as integrity can be compromised, hopefully not. It does however reveal an upcoming truth about digitally savvy leaders, as shown in Zuckerberg’s character. If there was ever doubt about the emergence of millennials as or “geeks” as leaders, The Social Network should put an end to that. Critique Through the movie I believe it is easy to get lost in our understanding and reason for Facebook and I think this is where Zuckerberg’s adaptive capacity get’s ignored. Instead of seeing Zuckerberg’s creation as a functioning, hollow, mechanical replacement for genuine friendship, Zuckerberg uses his creation as a means to overcome his ongoing crucible of poor social and low emotional intelligence. There is a longing to connect on a real life level with those around him in ways that his social skills prevent. This point is strengthened in the closing scene of the movie which shows Zuckerberg sat alone in a room, refreshing his Facebook page, waiting for his ex-girlfriend to accept his request. Critique Through the movie I believe it is easy to get lost in our understanding and reason for Facebook and I think this is where Zuckerberg’s adaptive capacity get’s ignored. Instead of seeing Zuckerberg’s creation as a functioning, hollow, mechanical replacement for genuine friendship, Zuckerberg uses his creation as a means to overcome his ongoing crucible of poor social and low emotional intelligence. There is a longing to connect on a real life level with those around him in ways that his social skills prevent. This point is strengthened in the closing scene of the movie which shows Zuckerberg sat alone in a room, refreshing his Facebook page, waiting for his ex-girlfriend to accept his request. Analysis and Recommendations The truth is, there are few people in the world capable of what Zuckerberg has achieved. It seems he would have achieved his goals, fulfilled his aspirations, and made billions of dollars regardless of his lack of integrity, sociability (on a personal basis), and emotional intelligence. Zuckerberg’s leadership approach worked, but only for Zuckerberg, I do not believe anyone else could adopt such an approach and achieve the results he did. It almost seems that a new leadership type or theory needs to be developed and based on people like Zuckerberg, all one (maybe two) of them. He is gifted and talented in ways that many of us find hard to relate with, no doubt why his success then came through algorithms and computers and not selling coffee. Analysis and Recommendations The truth is, there are few people in the world capable of what Zuckerberg has achieved. It seems he would have achieved his goals, fulfilled his aspirations, and made billions of dollars regardless of his lack of integrity, sociability (on a personal basis), and emotional intelligence. Zuckerberg’s leadership approach worked, but only for Zuckerberg, I do not believe anyone else could adopt such an approach and achieve the results he did. It almost seems that a new leadership type or theory needs to be developed and based on people like Zuckerberg, all one (maybe two) of them. He is gifted and talented in ways that many of us find hard to relate with, no doubt why his success then came through algorithms and computers and not selling coffee. Theoretical Significance Zuckerberg model’s the key themes found in “geeks” presented by Warren Bennis (2007) in his book Leading for a Lifetime. Zuckerberg aspired to change the world, he was an entrepreneur who created his identity through a developmental experience that made history and changed how the world functions today. Zuckerberg’s leadership approach contradicts much of what is taught especially through the theories and practices of Peter Northouse (2010) in his book Leadership Theory and Practice. Throughout the movie Zuckerberg was almost selective of the leadership characteristics he possessed, especially when studying him from the Trait Approach Theory. Zuckerberg’s personal barriers to effective leadership are clearly down to his unusually high intellect, but also his commitment to developing Facebook almost consumes him causing him to lose his integrity and perspective of everything else around him. Zuckerberg was trying to find himself at Harvard and through his work and development of Facebook. His poor social skills was a big crucible he came up against, and one he would probably always face due to his intellectual make up. Bennis (2007) claimed that “an important part of our leadership model is what lies on the other side of the crucible” (p. 18). For Zuckerberg, the other side of the crucible would soon become the world transforming Facebook. Theoretical Significance Zuckerberg model’s the key themes found in “geeks” presented by Warren Bennis (2007) in his book Leading for a Lifetime. Zuckerberg aspired to change the world, he was an entrepreneur who created his identity through a developmental experience that made history and changed how the world functions today. Zuckerberg’s leadership approach contradicts much of what is taught especially through the theories and practices of Peter Northouse (2010) in his book Leadership Theory and Practice. Throughout the movie Zuckerberg was almost selective of the leadership characteristics he possessed, especially when studying him from the Trait Approach Theory. Zuckerberg’s personal barriers to effective leadership are clearly down to his unusually high intellect, but also his commitment to developing Facebook almost consumes him causing him to lose his integrity and perspective of everything else around him. Zuckerberg was trying to find himself at Harvard and through his work and development of Facebook. His poor social skills was a big crucible he came up against, and one he would probably always face due to his intellectual make up. Bennis (2007) claimed that “an important part of our leadership model is what lies on the other side of the crucible” (p. 18). For Zuckerberg, the other side of the crucible would soon become the world transforming Facebook. References Bennis, W.G. & Thomas, R.J. (2007). Leading for a lifetime: How defining moments shape the leaders of today and tomorrow. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Northouse, P.G. (2010). Leadership theory and practice (5 th ed). Los Angeles: Sage Publications. References Bennis, W.G. & Thomas, R.J. (2007). Leading for a lifetime: How defining moments shape the leaders of today and tomorrow. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Northouse, P.G. (2010). Leadership theory and practice (5 th ed). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.