Running Header: LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVIES FILM ANALYSIS PAPER

Leadership in the Movies: Film Analysis Paper Presidential Leadership Class Julius K. Tembe University of Iowa

Running Header: LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVIES FILM ANALYSIS PAPER

Leadership in the Movies Film Analysis Paper

The main leader in Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney Pictures) is Woody, but other toys (Jessie, Buzz, and the Chatter Telephone) exhibit some leadership qualities at different points in the movie. Lotso is another character in the movie whose role can be analyzed through a leadership lens. When Lotso is first introduced he presents himself as a kind compassionate toy who is concerned about the wellbeing of all the toys at Sunnydale daycare. Those initial qualities make him seem like the legitimate leader at Sunnydale. However Lotso deception is soon revealed and his authoritarian methods differ from those prescribed by the Five Practices and Ten Commitments of leadership (Kousez and Posner). Therefore Lotso can only be seen as fulfilling a pseudo-leadership role in the film. Woodys leadership qualities are pervasive throughout the entire film. When Woody attempts to convince the toys that they belong with Andy and they disagree, he leaves them at the Sunnydale Daycare. In that instance Woody attempted to Model the Way (Kousez and Posner) by aligning an action (leaving the toys at the daycare) with a shared value (loyalty to his owner Andy), and also clarified his personal values the other toys. When Woody later learns that his friends are not safe at Sunnydale Daycare, he risks everything to try and save them. After Woody and his friends return home, he decides that he doesnt want to be separated from them. Woodys

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note to Andy can be seen as an example of Challenging the Process (Kousez and Posner). Woody was embracing change (a new owner) because he knew it would be better for all of his friends. Jessies qualities as a leader are prominent at the very beginning of the film. Her concern for the well-being of the other toys leads her to advocate for a movement to Sunnydale Daycare. Jessie is able to convince the other toys (except Woody) that Andy has abandoned them and that they should work together to insure that they will be safe. Jessie was able to Inspire a Shared Vision (Kousez and Posner) by enlisting the other toys in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations. The Chatter telephone was a minor character who had a big impact in the movie. The Chatter telephone shows Woody the escape route out of Sunnydale despite the harm that could come his way. The Chatter telephones actions are an example of Servant Leadership (Greenleaf). The Chatter telephone listened to Woodys needs and decided to put them above his own. Without the Chatter phones help Woody would not have been able to rescue his friends. The Chatter phone Enabled Others to Act (Kousez and Posner) by sharing discretion. Buzzs leadership qualities are best seen when he confronts Lotso and refuses to let his friends stay in the Caterpillar room. Buzzs refuses to desert his friends despite the knowledge that his life would be better in the short run. Buzz also modeled the Way (Kousez and Posner) by aligning his actions with a shared value. Toy Story 3(Walt Disney Pictures) shows that leadership is the domain of many individuals and is ultimately based in group values and trust. Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and the Chatter Telephone all display strong leadership qualities throughout the film. These toys are able to lead because other toys feel comfortable collaborating with them and share their values. Lotso did not attempt to build his leadership through trust or collaboration. Instead Lotso chose coercive manipulative methods based on an authoritarian mold. He controlled the other toys

Running Header: LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVIES FILM ANALYSIS PAPER

through selective rewards and punishment. The movie made it clear that the authoritarian (command and control) strategy is not only harder to implement but will eventually fail. The film also makes it clear that leaders should maintain their values even when they are not consistent with the values of the group. Woody decides to respectfully leave his friends when they believed that Sunnydale was their new home. It would be extremely difficult in the face of overwhelming dissent for a leader to stick to personal values. All individuals have opportunities to act as leaders and work for the good of the community, but individuals do not see those opportunities because they are being misled or controlled. Big Baby was only Lotsos enforcer because of the lies Lotso had spread about their previous owner Daisy. Without those lies Big Baby would never have followed Lotso and may have been a more positive member of the toy community throughout the whole movie. Big Baby is only able to redeem himself at the end by throwing Lotso in the garbage and helping Woody escape. This move would be invaluable for students that are interested in leadership. The movie presents the competing leadership strategies of two major characters, Woody (collaborative) and Lotso (authoritarian) in a very understandable manner. It shows the foundations of both of these strategies. The collaborative strategy being based on trust, shared values, and community goals. The authoritarian strategy being based on a combination of the leaders will and selective rewards and punishments. Then it shows the outcomes of these differing leadership philosophies and why the authoritarian is more likely to fail. Woodys collaborative strategy allows his friends to feel engaged and invested in group well-being. Even in Woodys absence, Jessie and Buzz are able to be leaders of the other toys. Lotsos authoritarian approach does not possess the flexibility of the collaborative approach. He stifles

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dissent and never addresses the concerns of the other members of his team. Eventually Lotsos ability to reward individuals diminishes when those individuals who he leads become aware that Lotso depends on them for power and that they would be happier without him. The movie offers insights into leadership in a very fun and entertaining way and that is why I would recommend it to other students interested in leadership.

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Work Cited. 1. Darla K. Andersen (Producer), Lee Unkirch (Director). (2010). Toy Story 3[Motion picture].U.S.A: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios 2. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. (2008). The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Exemplary Leaders (4th Edition). Jossey-Bass 3. Robert K. Greenleaf. (1970) The Servant As Leader

Running Header: LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVIES FILM ANALYSIS PAPER