What Great Leaders Learn from the War Film “Myeongnyang”

21CTO Reading: What does a "good leader" really look like? Drawing on insights from a movie and the perspective of 360 Company chairman Zhou Hongyi, this piece explores leadership through the lens of the Korean war film “Myeongnyang.”

After watching “Myeongnyang” with a group of young entrepreneurs, the author reflects on the film’s most striking scene: Admiral Yi Sun‑shin’s nightmare, which reveals that even great leaders experience fear and pressure, but they succeed by mastering those emotions.

01 Perseverance

Entrepreneurship is likened to a prolonged, gritty battle. Success requires long‑term stamina and the willingness to “bite the bullet” when challenges become painful.

02 Courage

The difference between a warrior and a coward is the ability to control fear. In both the film and real‑world competition, courage enables rational judgment under intense pressure.

03 Decision‑Making

Making a “stupid” decision is better than making no decision at all; indecision stalls momentum. Leaders must own the final call, even if it means taking unpopular or harsh actions, because swift adjustments are possible when mistakes are recognized early.

04 Teamwork

A weak team can defeat you more surely than a strong opponent. Effective leaders inspire by example, rallying their crew to act in unison, while recognizing that no one is born a leader—leadership skills are forged through challenges.

Source: Cheung Kong Business School Executive Education