Building Greatness-Leadership & Softball

Analyzing the movie Remember the Titans (Disney) was a very interesting task.  Unlike the previous assignment where Tuckman’s 4 Stage Model Of Group Development (forming, storming, norming, and performing) was clear throughout the movie, the delineation of the various stages was more blurred in Remember the Titans, making it more difficult to define each stage clearly.  Because conflict occurs consistently throughout the entire movie, one could argue that the storming stage remains in the background and is not entirely eliminated during the movie.   When analyzing this movie, it is important to remember that, ultimately, this is a Disney creation where real life events many have been altered to accommodate the artistic needs of the film, such as Coach Yost’s role.

The start of forming is apparent in the beginning of the movie when the different race groups first walk in and meet. (13:23-Disney).  According to Tuckman’s model  the members should be positive but they really are not.  They are more anxious than anything else and you can sense the tension in the movie.  During Tuckman’s forming stage, the players try to establish where they would fit on the new team.  As we progress through the forming stage, we come upon a critical part of the movie.  Coach Boone feels it is necessary to move from the forming stage into the storming stage.  Coach Boone accomplishes this in the part of the movie where he makes the players come off the bus and sit in the same positions they had on the way to camp. (17:02-Disney). Although he creates conflict during this stage, he recognizes the need to push into other stages in order to move his team in the model. 

A good first example of storming is found at (18:27-Disney) when Boone makes his players room with players of the same positions rather than by race.  During this scene, there is a lot of conflict demonstrated but with no communication.  Approximately the next ten minutes are all conflict and storming.  Another good example of storming is when Julius criticizes Gary for being such a poor captain. (29:39-Disney).  Although there is conflict, this is an extremely important juncture in the movie because Gary then changes his actions and yells at a teammate for not doing his job blocking.  Thus, the norming stage begins.  In total, the movie stays deeply rooted in the forming or storming phases for about an hour of the total film.

Norming, according to Tuckman’s model, occurs when “team members know each other better, they may be socializing together, and they are able to ask each other for help and provide constructive criticism. The team develops a stronger commitment to the team goal, and you start to see good progress towards it.” (Tuckman).  A great example of the start of norming and team cohesiveness is when Julius and Gary interact once again.  During this part of the movie, they make a great tackle and the strong side/ weak side exchange occurs.  This is a powerful example of teammates committing to a goal.  Another good example of norming occurs at 38:09 (Disney) when the team engages in some lively locker room conversation.  “Yo mama” jokes are made during this time which reflects that the team is starting to interact at a social level.  Although Gary is initially angry, he comes to realize that his teammates they are merely joking around and having a good time.  It is an important part in the movie because the two groups are getting to know and learn about each other. 

Performing starts at the end of camp.  The audience can then really start to feel a change in the atmosphere of the team as well as it starting to function as a cohesive unit.  This is apparent at the end of camp when Sunshine arrives and gets his new haircut. (36:58-Disney).  Another example of performing is when the team creates a new pre-game ritual which helps create a close attachment to team members.  With the new warm-up, the team creates its own work routine. (1:07:07-Disney). Performing really culminates with Coach Boone’s speech before the state championship game and shows performing at its best. (1:38:12-Disney).  It is a perfect example of performing because Tuckman’s definition is a “close attachment to the team and constructive self change.”  During this stage, it is not about winning or losing, but rather, about performing.  As Coach Boone notes, it is about being proud of what you have accomplished, regardless of the outcome.

You could say Coach Boone leads with an iron fist.   However, because of the times and the incredible amount of storming and conflict in the movie, one could argue that it was the only option he really was able to utilize.  The movie starts in a true authoritarian style.  He steps in and tells his players that he is in charge.  At one point in the beginning of the movie, Boone even goes so far as to tell his players, “it is a dictatorship and he is the law.” (17:16-Disney).  When the players gather to eat after a practice, Coach Boone looks at the group to see if anyone is willing to communicate. (24:54-Disney).  Because no player speaks, Coach Boone is forced to take an authoritarian position and tell them to get to know about each other.  During this exchange, Coach Boone exhibits R2 behavior because he wants his players to communicate more.

  A few times, Coach Boone switches out of an authoritarian role as a coach.  When Sunshine cannot make a pitch, he gives him a speech in order to increase his confidence and tells him his team needs him. (1:09-Disney).  During this exchange, Coach Boone exhibits high relationship behavior.  Additionally, during the performing stage, Coach Boone demonstrates R4 qualities when he allows Gary to make the decision about kicking a player off the team.  He adopts a laissez fair attitude here (1:12:30-Disney) when he lets the team take the lead regarding this issue.  Another example of Boone starting to loosen the reins is when he takes the trick plays from his assistant, Coach Yost.  Initially, Boone rejects his assistant’s idea about adding trick plays.  But, because he has switched to an R4 performing stage, he realizes his assistant is capable and willing to contribute.  So, Boone takes his assistant’s advice to switch up some plays. (1:38:02-Disney).

Coach Boone makes an effort to try to establish a relationship with assistant Coach Yost.  (59:33-Disney).  He tries to sell his ideas to his assistant and analyzes what his role will be.  Coach Yost is much downplayed in this movie.  This could be because he is just a supporting character to Coach Boone for the purposes of this Disney movie.  However, there are a few occasions when Coach Yost becomes assertive and seems to transform into a different character throughout the movie.  Initially, Yost questions Boone’s competence when he tells him that he needs to have the other assistant with him (13:40-Disney).  He is forceful, storming and directing.  On another occasion, Yost allows Gary to get into his teammates faces and starts to put more trust in his players, showing a high competence and high commitment. (13:3-Disney).  A defining moment in Yost’s development is when he calls out the referee during the Northern Virginia Regionals.  He is willing to ruin his career and the officials in order to protect Coach Boone. (1:18:50-Disney).  During this exchange, Yost shows a high level of maturity in an extremely supportive role to Boone.  Throughout the movie, Yost remains primarily in a S1-S2 role except during the captains’ conflict because of his limited role in the movie.

Although this movie was made by Disney, analyzing it proved to be a valuable exercise for any coach.  In an interesting fashion, it demonstrates how a coach can move through Tuckman’s Different stages, as well as working with the situational leadership curve.  It is now not only an inspirational story but also a learning tool.

References:

Bruckheimer, Jerry. Oman, Chad. (Producer), & Yakin,B.(Director). (2001). Remember the Titans[Motion picture]. USA: Walt Disney Studio.

Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing - Leadership skills from MindTools.com.” Mind Tools - Management Training, Leadership Training and Career Training. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2011. <http://www.mindtools.com/page

“The Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory .” Mind Tools. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. <http:/http://www.mindtools.com