Many Hollywood war movies focus on the action-packed set pieces that go into the film’s trailer, leaving out a lot of room for the character elements that elevate good stories. When David Ayer’s “Fury” debuted in theaters, the film’s realistic and diverse characters like Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis (Jon Bernthal) Trini “Gordo” Garcia (Michael Peña), Boyd “Bible” Swan (Shia LaBeouf), and the seasoned Don “Wardaddy” Collier (Brad Pitt), made audiences feel the dangers of being a tanker in World War II.
Wardaddy is more than a German-speaking tank commander. The character is based on a real soldier, Staff Sgt. Lafayette Green Pool, who not only hand-picked his own crew, but destroyed 12 tanks, 258 armored vehicles, and self-propelled guns in just 81 days of combat. That’s a lot to live up to, even for a movie.
FURY – Official Trailer
In “Fury,” Brad Pitt’s Wardaddy has similarly difficult mission: deploy his leadership skills to manage the different personalities that make up his crew.
The real-world Wardaddy would never have put up with the way the tankers in “Fury” acted, but that doesn’t make for good cinema. Here are the axioms the fictional Wardaddy commanded his troops by.
1. Lead from the Front
Wardaddy doesn’t command from the rear; he is always in the lead. Whether it is exposing his tank to enemy fire to draw out a target or being the first to face dangerous terrain, he sets the pace and never asks his crew to do something he isn’t willing to do himself.
2. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries
When Norman, a green, untrained replacement (Logan Lerman) is forced onto his battle-hardened crew, Wardaddy clearly outlines the brutal reality of the situation. By establishing expectations early, he cuts through the noise and ensures his team knows exactly what is required to survive.
3. Balance Discipline with Compassion
Great leaders must balance tough, demanding actions with genuine compassion. Wardaddy is hard on his men when necessary, but he also takes moments to ensure their well-being, share a drink, and allow them to process the heavy emotional toll of their jobs.
4. Forge a Tight-Knit Family
In high-stakes environments, a team must function as more than just coworkers. Wardaddy fosters a deep sense of brotherhood within his tank crew. By cultivating a tight unit where members watch out for one another, he ensures his team operates as one highly effective mechanism.
5. Don’t Force Loyalty—Earn It
A true leader’s authority comes from their character and competence, not just the rank on their collar. Wardaddy’s crew follows him voluntarily through impossible scenarios because he has proven his battle-hardened expertise and continuously protects his people.
6. Know When to Stand Your Ground
Wardaddy understands the bigger picture. He makes the ultimate sacrifice to defend a strategic position. While a highly-dramaticized military choice, the overarching leadership lesson is clear: sometimes a leader must hold the line and make the hard choices for the greater good, even when the rest of the team is terrified.
With the odds were stacked up against them. They all stayed and fought. That’s their duty.
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