Leadership Lessons from

Madhusudhan Akundi

It takes Time – don’t assume leadership, let it evolve Ellen Ripley is recruited just as a consultant

for the second mission.

Ellen Ripley does not start giving commands from the onset. She is and behaves as a normal employee

Ellen Ripley’s goal is NOT about becoming a Leader

Her Goal is simple – do her best to succeed and let everyone succeed

Get your hands Dirty – there is a learning in everything Ellen Ripley does not sit and laze

around just because she is “just a consultant”

Ellen Ripley offers help in an area outside of her immediate “domain”.

Ellen Ripley proves that she can be as good as a “Powerloader operator” as anything else she is assigned for.

Ripley does not know that this skill will help her later and yet does it – all learning is valuable

Observe, Learn, Offer Suggestions, Assert Slowly, Remain Humble Ellen Ripley stays in the

background but observes everything – People, Operations, Decisions.

Ellen Ripley gets the big picture pretty fast. She slowly understands the different people, their strengths and their motivations.

Ellen Ripley is deeply involved in meetings. Does not shy away from asking questions outside her immediate realm.

She slowly asserts herself by offering suggestions based on a deep understanding of the mission and it’s goals but yet remains Humble

Lead. Don’t hesitate to take bold decisions Ellen Ripley takes the lead the minute she sees the need to do it – does not hesitate to take bold decision despite displeasing the “chain of command”

Ellen Ripley does not hesitate to push forward when she realizes that needs to rescue the team. She goes above beyond the call of her duty

Ellen recognizes Hicks as a talented and good leader. She does not hesitate to consult him or give him lead when it requires of the situation – nurturing talent is clearly demonstrated.

Empathy, Commitment, Integrity Ellen Ripley understands deeply

her crew members and their emotional stresses. She does not hesitate to share her own emotional feelings.

Ellen Ripley commits to saving Newt, the girl she rescues initially. She does not let go of the commitment despite mounting odds.

Commitment displays integrity and honesty especially when the going gets tough. Ellen Ripley displays it during her final moments on that planet.