Proper Leadership and Ethics Will in The Imitation Game
Ideas on proper leadership, morality, and ethics can be very subjective. What makes a proper director to one person might be an incompetent leader to another. Morality and ethics change depending on outside influences including religion, parents and culture. We can find examples of both of these in The Imitation Game.
Comparing Alan Turing to Stewart Menzies shows how morality plays a factor in leadership. During the time period of the movie, we can also see behavior deemed inappropriate in the era, but acceptable in our own. Alan Turing does not start as a well-respected leader. With a more task-oriented and self-serving style, throughout the movie, he undergoes a transformation. When Turing first joins the military operation, he is seen as a narcissistic, socially awkward loner with a need for everything to be his way. Though an argument could be made that Turing is on the autistic spectrum; the others in the Enigma group do not respect or enjoy working with him. After being denied by the military for funding for his machine, Turing approaches a higher authority in Winston Churchill and is promoted to leader of Enigma. Turing cares very little for his own group only focusing on the task at hand until he shows a bit of compassion towards Joan Clarke. Slowly but surely Turing becomes a respected and slightly more people-oriented leader. He is able to motivate his team at the lowest times, demonstrate an openness to other ideas, and empower the group to defend his honor. Though Turing does remain very goal-oriented, he does learn to care for his team and rely on them. Alan Turing ultimately becomes a proper leader of the Enigma group and leads them towards victory.
Stewart Menzies is portrayed to be a very goal-oriented leader who cares more for the many than the few. He will always sacrifice individuals for the majority, as demonstrated by never going by the book or following societal morals. By introducing a Soviet Spy, John Cairncross, Menzies is shown pulling the strings of the war from behind the scenes. Though he never becomes a very people-oriented leader, Menzies has shown to motivate his team, if be by intimidation and blackmail. Menzies’ goal is to win the war at all costs, including his own team. By agreeing to keeping the secret of Enigma being cracked, and orchestrating a scheme of lies, or as put by Menzies, “maintain a conspiracy of lies at the very highest levels of govt?” he shows his willingness to bend the rules to win the war. He does demonstrate an openness to new ideas though only on his own terms. Menzie does display the qualities of a competent and well-respected leader, but only through manipulation has he attained such a role. Throughout The Imitation Game it is hinted that Alan Turing is a homosexual. The very idea of two men being together was seen as immoral by society and illegal in the eyes of the government. He has been taught for the whole of his life to be ashamed of his sexuality and that his preferences are never to be mentioned. John Cairncross, who figures out Turing’s secret, advises him to never inform Joan Clarke or anyone of his orientation. Shown throughout the film, He is inadvertently insulted and pressured to become a normal member of society. Though wanting to keep Clarke on the project, Turing also uses their engagement to conceal his own secrets. By the end of the movie he is discovered to be a homosexual and is given the option of jail or hormonal therapy. The medication and ridicule bring an already breaking Turing to the edge, contributing to his eventual suicide.
During the era The Imitation Game is set in, women were seen as less than men. They were expected to have lower positions and jobs like secretaries, switchboard operators or housewives. The female was expected to support and boost their masculine counterparts and partners. The idea of a woman having a position of power was seen as socially incorrect and immoral. Joan Clarke physically and mentally disrespected all views and beliefs for women. Attempting to join Enigma and showing up for the class lead by Alan Turing, Clarke went against the status quo. Her own family was against her moving to the compound as it wasn’t an appropriate situation for a young lady. No one but Turing saw past her gender to recognize her worth, including her own friends and coworkers. Throughout the film Clarke must fight the social norms to prove herself and be heard. After the war the beliefs of the place of women begin to transform, society never fully embraces change.
Though proper leadership and ethics will; vary between social order and cultures we can find effective examples in The Imitation Game. From illegal sexualities to improper gender normalities, the beliefs are rationalized by society. It is expected for a leader to follow and share these ideals to make them a role model for others.
