06.30.2012Quinnipiac UniversityOL662 Principled LeadershipDr. M. Goralski

Lead Investigators:

Lucy Akers Michelle Montepara Karla Natale Brett Orzechowski

Michael Clayton: A Film Analysis

Agenda

Movie Overview

Ethical Leaders Michael Clayton Karen Crowder Arthur Edens The Partners

Connection to OL662 teachings

Conclusions

The Film- “Michael Clayton”

U-North Agrochemical business In middle of class-action lawsuit Product fatally poisoned hundreds Company was aware product contained carcinogens

Michael Clayton’s law firm is representing U-North.

Through an intricate story and interwoven plotlines,the characters face heightening ethical dilemmas.

Video: I’m a Janitor

.

Michael ClaytonAttorney at Kenner, Bach & Ledeen. Firm’s “fixer.” Film’s protagonist.

Work Ethical Dilemmas Became the “fixer” after a few years of litigation Conflicted with his “fixer” role Faces an ethical dilemma with each case

Primary Ethical Dilemma Must help Arthur Edens, chief litigator for U-North Put aside personal friendship for the firm’s benefit

Michael Clayton (continued)

Family/Personal Ethical Dilemmas Clayton owes $75,000 to a loan shark Has severe gambling problem Uses his leverage with brother, a NYPD officer

Evil Representation Dreadful pleasure Bureaucracy Choice Ordinary

Work Ethical Dilemmas Suppresses case evidence Orders successful murder of Arthur Edens Orders unsuccessful murder of Michael Clayton

Karen is consumed with appearances Compulsive, neurotic and manipulative

Evil Representation Deception Bureaucracy Choice

Karen CrowderChief Counsel, U-North

Video: They Killed Them

Expert Power

Misplaced/Broken Loyalties

Change in ethics led to challenge of dissent

Evil Representation

Deception

Bureaucracy

Choice

Ordinary

Arthur EdensAttorney at Kenner, Bach & Ledeen. Chief Litigator for U-North Case.

The PartnersKenner, Bach & Ledeen

“Just Fix It” attitude Denial and greed Inappropriate responses with celebrations Evil Representation Ordinary

Moral Imagination:A Shadow of Leadership

Reproductive Imagination - Aware of elements of the context

Productive Imagination - Reframing the problem

Creative Imagination - New and morally sound solutions

Video: I’m Not The Enemy.

Possible Ethical Implications

Loss of reputation

Loss of job/position

Collapse of business

Loss of life

Making the wrong kinds of enemies

Criminal implications

Feeding addictions

Mental breakdowns

Evil allowed to flourish

What Actually Happened

Arthur – Clarity via mental illness

Karen – Confronted and arrested

Michael – Awakened to new lifestyle

Video: The Final Scene.

Conclusions

The film “Michael Clayton” is an excellent example of ethical struggles in the business environment.

The shadows of leadership can be extremely detrimental.

It is important to understand the ethical implications of decisions.

References

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). (n.d.). The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.imdb.com and http://www.imdb.com.libraryproxy.quinnipiac.edu/find?q=michael+clayton&s=all

Johnson, C. (2012). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow, 4th

edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Michael Clayton - George vs Tilda -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G041ho8nnZU

Michael Clayton - "I'm not a miracle worker, I'm a janitor" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube -Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKVkHRGc-60

Michael Clayton - "I'm not the enemy" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmTAR3Rv5E&feature=relmfu

Michael Clayton - "They Killed Them!" -YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzhpP07Hhms&feature=relmfu