Change and the Other Side of the Amazon

\"The motorcycle diaries,\" is a movie about two friends who travel through South America in the early fifties. Their journey starts At Buenos Aires and is to finish at Caracas.

The film is interesting on itself, but even more interesting to explain leading change and consolidating change.

Ernesto G. de la Serna, the main character of the movie is a real change leader. Unlike Alberto Granado, who is contrasting very much with the honesty and authenticity that displays Ernesto.

We see this duality throughout the movie. In one scene this becomes most apparent where Ernesto has the courage to tell a professor who had invited them, what he thought of his book. Leading change is not following the road that most people take -- be polite and political correct -- but express an opinion, disregarding what others think of it.

But the movie is not only about the leadership role of Ernesto. This becomes more important later on. The movie is most of all to show the change that Ernesto is going through during the journey.

Traveling is still -- although often used -- a very valuable metaphor in explaining change. During the journey you experience a lot and when you are young these special impressions, occasions and events can highly influence you.

But how do you know that you have in fact changed or not? The journey represents a normal sequence of events that pass gradually. When -- is the question -- during this or any trip do you know that you have really changed?

This is beautifully expressed in the picture when they are in Peru and Ernesto watches the other side of the Amazon. If you have seen the film you will know what is there on the other side and you will understand the extra symbolic meaning of this river

And we know that he has changed when he decides to cross the river. And we observe him when he swims to the other side...

A symbolic action. Not only in the film. Also in real life; to be sure that you have really changed, you need some kind of action to show it. A symbolic turning point. Youll know to find your own Amazon.

2006 Hans Bool

Hans Bool is the founder of Astor White a traditional management consulting company that offers online management tools. Have a look at some of our free management tools

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