What would you do with the everlasting gobstopper?

I got to be part of a fascinating group discussion today in which we discussed the portrayal of values and leadership lessons in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the movie). There are spoilers in this so if you have watched the movie, read the book, or seen the play... maybe do one of those first?

One participant rewatched the movie recently and was struck by the sudden turn of Grandpa Joe. The angry tirade he has at the end when Wonka tells them to leave. I argued (that is way to strong a word, really I just brought it up) the following:

Grandpa Joe's tirade gives Charlie permission to make the "wrong" choice. 

His behavior tells Charlie it is okay to break his own promise, to break Wonka's trust. In fact Wonka's behavior at that moment is daring Charlie to do just that. Much like the other children in the movie, Charlie is watching the adults around him. The leaders. 

But where Charlie differs from the others, is that in that moment in the movie he makes a decision. He decides to be true to his own core values. To do what is right, even though it is a hard choice. To do what is right, even though the leaders around him have given him permission (through their behavior and actions) to do the wrong thing. 

This is what proves to Wonka that Charlie will be capable of leading the chocolate factory. 

And I could go on and on. 

If life was a dream and it was my dream...

The movie, this conversation, are reminders that as leaders our behavior matters. What I do, how I behave, informs those I lead. I've written about this before. But this there's a twist this time. 

As a leader, I need to stay true to my core values, and make the right choices- even when I am getting conflicting messages (or "permission") from the leaders around me. To stay true to my core values I need to know what they are. 

Charlie makes a choice in that moment to be the leader he needs to be. To make his own choice despite the actions of the leaders he was following. He makes a choice that proves he can lead, and he's rewarded with the work. He isn't handed just money or chocolate, he's given the chocolate factory to run, the Oompa Loompa's to care for. His behavior is "rewarded" with more responsibility. And that's the thing about leadership, it is a responsibility. It is a purpose, it is a calling, it is work. 

Are you ready to decide what to do with the everlasting gobstopper?