Aftermath tells the story of Eric Daniels (Dylan Sprouse). Eric is a war veteran suffering from PTSD. He and his sister, Madeleine Daniels (Megan Stott), get stuck on the Tobin Memorial Bridge.
Why?
A group of former military revolutionaries has taken over the bridge. They want their demands met or there will be chaos.
As Eric struggles to keep his little sister safe, he has to make a choice… Does he leave his sister alone in their vehicle or does he try to stop the terrorists? His choices are heavy. His choices carry weight. But he must choose.
If you pay attention, Eric’s decisions and actions can help you become a better leader. Join me as we explore the Reel Leadership lessons hidden within this film.
Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Aftermath
1. Great leaders give people a chance:
Eric and Madeleine are headed to the movies. Eric asks his sister if she can drive.
There’s a joke that they’ll be late to the movies. But not if Madeleine drives.
He allows her to drive. He gave her a chance.
Great leaders know that without a chance, their team members won’t thrive. People have to be given an opportunity to prove their skills.
Look for ways and areas in your organization where you can give someone a chance. You may
- Notice your receptionist is talented at spreadsheets. You offer him a chance to review the financials, and he balances the books.
- An engineer has been struggling with his role. He’s voiced that he would love the opportunity to work as a salesperson. You give him the chance and he excels.
- A salesperson is tired of traveling so much. She has asked if she could try a different role and tells you she’s always been interested in the IT side of things. She takes on the role of help desk technician and people are thrilled she can solve their problems and be personable.
Give your people a chance to excel at something. You’ll be amazed at what they can do when given the chance.
2. Leaders need to be proud of their people:
Jimmy ‘Romeo’ Roken (Mason Gooding) is the head of the terrorist group. Before his team deploys to take the bridge, he does something even a good leader does.
He tells his people that he is proud of them.
He knows the importance of letting people know you see the hard work they put in. He knows that people love to be acknowledged.
Even though Romeo was a bad leader, he knew the importance of this.
How are you doing this? Are you showing and telling your people that you’re proud of them?
They need to know. And you need to let them know.
3. Eric Daniels:
There’s nothing I could do.
Eric and Madeleine are approached by one of the terrorists. The terrorist, Tango (Tanner Zagarino), takes out zip ties. He tied both of their hands to the vehicle so they couldn’t move.
Eric didn’t resist the terrorist. He knew there was nothing he could do in the situation. He would have to wait.
Eventually, Eric would take action. Just not at that moment.
You have to know when to take action. You also have to know when there’s nothing you can do but wait passively.
Waiting isn’t the end. Staying calm, cool, and collected isn’t a negative. It’s a strength.
It’s a sign of strength because you’re willing to wait out a bad situation, remain calm, and get through the difficulties.
4. Beware of toxic people in your organization:
A police transport was transporting a dangerous criminal, Doc (Dichen Lachman). She was the reason the terrorists had attacked the bridge. They wanted her.
There were multiple police officers in the transport. Their job was to keep her safe and to get her to her destination.
Except there was a toxic person in the police force.
Galotti (Nick Apostolides) was one of the officers. When the terrorists attacked, we learned he had flipped on the police officers. He betrayed his fellow officers.
He was toxic. And it cost his coworkers their lives.
Toxic people in your organization have to be removed. They will bring your other employees down.
Watch out for toxic people. If you see people begin to display toxic traits, find out what’s going on. Try to correct their actions. If they’re unwilling to change, you have to choose to remove them before they damage the organization’s morale and culture.
5. There are multiple ways to get things done:
Yankee (Mark Pettograsso) was one of the terrorists. After taking out the police officers, he removes the gun from the slain officer. He tells Doc that he can’t leave any toys around. She might hurt herself.
In reality, Yankee was doing it to protect the terrorists. He didn’t want her to have any weapons or a way of escape.
Except he overlooked something important. There were keys to Doc’s cage. She could reach those and get out. And she did.
Doc had multiple ways to get out.
There are multiple ways to get things done in your organization. You don’t have to take the most complicated path. You also don’t have to take the easiest path.
Find what works for you. Some of my leadership advice might be perfect for you and your organization. Apply it. Use it.
But some of the advice might not suit you or your organization. Ignore that. Put it on the back burner.
Look at the multiple ways to get things done. Use the one that works best for you.
6. Bad leaders will hurt loyal people:
Police officer Galotti, the officer who turned on his fellow officers, meets with Romeo. Romeo asks Galotti for one more thing.
Galotti agrees. Though he doesn’t know what the ask will be.
Romeo starts a livestream. Shortly after the start, Romeo shoots Galotti in the head.
Galotti wasn’t loyal to the police department. He had been faithful to Romeo. Romeo hurt Galotti despite Galotti’s loyalty.
Watch out for bad leaders. They’re not watching out for their loyal employees. They’re looking out for themselves.
Some telltale signs of a leader who looks out for themself:
- Takes credit when it is due to others
- Won’t take accountability for their actions
- Points the finger at others
- Inconsistent behavior
- Lack of empathy
If you see a leader displaying these qualities, run. There’s a good chance they will turn on you.
7. Find others you can relate to:
Eric wasn’t the only veteran of a foreign war. Eric discovered there was a Vietnam vet named Joe Kozak (Will Lyman) on the bridge as well.
Joe was a trucker. In fact, his truck was stuck on the bridge.
He had seen Eric on the bridge. He knew Eric was one of the good guys. But a bad guy was approaching Eric. He warned Eric to watch out.
Why? Because Eric had seen war. So had Joe. They were similar and could relate to each other.
When you can relate to someone else, the relationship bond between you strengthens. You have something in common.
You may be a Detroit Tigers fan. Or you both may cheer on the Detroit Lions, hoping they’ll see the Super Bowl.
It could be a love of macrame or video games. Or you may have attended the same school.
Relating to others will make you stick together.
8. Be willing to change your plan:
Eric was able to get back to Madeleine. He had a plan. They would do an Evel Knievel jump across the bridge. They’d be home free.
Except their plan didn’t go accordingly.
Romeo blew up more of the bridge. Their escape was swarted. They would have to find another way off the bridge.
Eric was willing to change his plans depending on how the situation was going. We have to be willing to change our plans as well.
It’s been said that plans are worthless. But planning is everything.
Eric had plans that turned out to be worthless. Yet, his planning would be valuable. He would be able to pivot and find another way out.
If you’re unwilling to change plans when things shift, you’re going to be stuck in a rut. Great leaders learn to pivot. Be a pivoter.
9. Eric Daniels:
The right way isn’t always the obvious.
Romeo forced Doc to confess on video to crimes. As they’re filming, Eric interrupts just before Romeo was going to kill Doc.
Eric gives a speech. In it, he states that the right way isn’t always the obvious.
How true is that?!?
The right way isn’t always obvious. There are twists, turns, and distractions that will take us away from it.
Yet, if we want to do things right, we have to look for the less obvious.
10. Great leaders may be punished for doing good:
Romeo orders Eric to bring him Doc. If Eric doesn’t, Romeo will blow the bridge.
Eric asks Doc why she was in lockup. Her reason was sad.
Doc had killed a couple of gangbangers. The gangbangers were attacking a defenseless girl. The girl couldn’t protect herself. Doc could.
Sometimes, doing the right thing will get you in trouble. But doing the right thing is always the right thing.
Do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.
