To conduct an analysis of the leadership of a fictional character, I chose the film The Green Mile (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). Specifically, I chose to talk about Paul Edgecombe, played by Tom Hanks. Paul Edgecombe is the main guard at the Green Mile which houses death row inmates in a penitentiary. He has a balance between work and play, he is reserved in his judgments, he is instinctive and resolute in his goals. He was able to do his job well because he believed that the inmates under his control deserved the death penalty, but that they also deserved respect and calm before that happened. The film illustrates his response to a wayward prisoner, a wayward subordinate, and an innocent man who can perform miracles that he is forced to perform. This film is based on a series of novels by Steven King (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While many of the different leadership approaches could apply, I have chosen to analyze Paul Edgecombe with the characteristic leadership approach. The trait approach “believes that leaders and non-leaders can be differentiated by a universal set of traits” (Northouse, 2013, p.40). This film has a number of characters who are at different levels of approach to traits. Paul's right-hand man, Brutus Howell (played by David Morse), could be an effective leader if he were able to control his temper and had more of a desire to understand the emotions of others (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). Director Hal Moores (played by James Cromwell) could have been an effective leader if he had not been so inclined to provide his nephew with a position on the mile and a difficult home life at the time with his very ill wife (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). “The trait approach is very different from other approaches because it focuses exclusively on the leader, not the followers or the situation” (Northouse, 2013, pp. 28-19). Paul Edgecombe is balanced and steady and allows his characteristics to be on display regardless of the situation. Northouse (2013) analyzes six different studies on the trait approach and simplifies them into a table (p. 23). There are five main leadership traits that are repeated in studies and they are intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability (Northouse, 2013, p. 23). Paul Edgecombe consistently demonstrates each of these traits. Intelligence is evident in his character. He is humble and ignores his intelligence, but his self-confidence and resolute actions demonstrate his intelligence especially in the area of ​​emotional intelligence. He has gained the skills and experience to demonstrate self-confidence in his work and uses that self-confidence to teach others. Even when dealing with a difficult employee, he exudes self-confidence in accepting the challenge of confronting and teaching him. Paul is determined to do his job and make sure his subordinates are safe and happy too. Paul's integrity is one of the most important lessons of this film. Paul Edgecombe was very good at his job, but after witnessing the miracles of John Coffey (played by Michael Clarke Duncan) and realizing his innocence; Paul Had a Crisis of Conscience (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). Paul Edgecombe unsuccessfully lobbied lawyers and the state to try to save John Coffey (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). This crisis of conscience caused him to no longer be able to execute any man and to leave his position at The Green Mile (Darkwoods Productions, 1999). His integrity is best shown in the scenes.