COACH CARTER

Summary

"In 1999, Ken Carter, a successful sporting goods store owner, accepts the job of basketball coach for his old high school in a poor area of Richmond, CA, where he was a champion athlete. After being dismayed by the poor attitudes of his players as well as their dismal play performance, he immediately imposes a strict regime typified in written contracts that include stipulations for respectful behavior, a dress code and good grades as requisites to being allowed to participate. The initial resistance from the boys is soon dispelled as the team under Carter's tutelage becomes a undefeated competitor in the games; however, the overconfident team's behavior begins to stray and Carter learns that too many players are doing poorly in class. He takes immediate action and cancels all team activities and locks the court until the team shows acceptable academic improvement. In the ensuing debate, Carter fights to keep his methods, determined to show the boys that they need to rely on more than sports for their futures and eventually finds he has affected them more profoundly than he ever expected."

                                        - Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393162/plotsummary

Application of OB Concepts

• States of Change: Coach Carter's team underwent a series of changes that has whipped his formerly disorderly team to a disciplined one. The first state of change, unfreezing, was evident when Coach Carter implemented new qualifications for being in the team. He required his players to attend all of their classes, sit in the front rows of those classes, wear dress shirts and ties on game days, refer to everyone as "sir", and maintain a 2.3 GPA. He did this to eliminate the unruliness in his team's attitude and replace it with respectfulness, whether in class, during games, or in their everyday lives and to make them realize that they need education to be able to have a good future.  Soon after his strict reinforcement of these requirements, his players were gradually changing and showing better plays and performances, after being faces with rebellious behavior many times. However, there was a relapse in the behavior in the players, specifically in their grades, as they grew overconfident with their undefeated record which made Coach Carter impose a gym lockout. After much issues about the lockout from the players, parents, and the school board, causing the coach to be nearly fired, Coach Carter was surprised to see the gym filled with desks and his players, along with their teachers, studying and trying to pull their grades up. The epilogue shows most of his players being able to graduate and get into college. At this point, the third stage, refreezing, is clearly seen, as what Coach Carter has tried to instill in his players are actually being practiced by them. 

Reflections

I think Coach Carter's methods were a bit too strict with his requirements and punishments that is why there was resistance at first. However, considering the brash attitude he was presented when he first met them, I begin to think that maybe what he did was right. He was able to make it up to his strictness by being the support his players needed when they had to solve their personal problems. Basing from the positive change that has transpired in his team, despite complaints about his methods, I believe Coach Carter has gotten my respect as a coach and an authoritative disciplinarian.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 1

Summary

"After Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez meet over winter break, Gabriella moves and they discover that they now go the the same school. However, while Gabriella fits in more with the brainiacs, Troy is a basketball jock. They try to be together among the challenges of high school and audition for the winter musical while challenging stereotypes and theater kids."

                                                      - Written by s-rosa-663-151549

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475293/plotsummary

Application of OB Concepts

• Interpersonal Conflict: Drama Club president Sharpay Evans, upon finding out that she has potential competition for the leading role in the winter musical, does everything in her power to prevent Gabriella Montez, her potential rival, from auditioning and from taking the lead role from her. She spies on Gabriella and tries to dig up some dirt on her. She is driven by her instinct to protect her status as the drama club president and being the best in drama that she took advantage of the fact that Gabriella has a competition in her scholastic decathlon team. She convinces Ms. Darbus, the club's faculty adviser, to move the auditions for the winter musical on the same day and time that Gabriella and her team will have their competition against another school. However, this is resolved by Gabriella and her friends and she was able to make it to the auditions. She gets the lead role and, simultaneously wins the scholastic decathlon competition. Sharpay eventually reconciles with Gabriella after acknowledging her defeat. 

Reflections

Even though Sharpay has already made peace with Gabriella, she can never erase the fact that their friendship and their relationship as drama club members are forever tainted by her over-competitiveness. She could have careened her over-competitiveness to a healthy competition with Gabriella improve her acting skills rather than to completely get rid of her competition. I think if she did that she would have earned Gabriella's respect as the drama club president and at the same time her friendship.

PITCH PERFECT

Summary

"The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. But after she meets Jesse, from the rival all-male a cappella group, Beca has a new outlook and takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition."

                                                     - Written by napierslogs

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981677/plotsummary

Application of OB Concepts

• Informal Leaders: Beca Mitchell decided she had it when the Barden Belllas were faced with an uninterested audience when they were performing their traditional set list again at the semi-finals. She dared to insert an impromptu remix performance of her favorite song, which got the audience's interest back but, in turn, frustrates Aubrey, their leader. Not soon after, Chloe, Aubrey's co-leader, sees Beca's point in doing what she had done during the semi-finals and convinces Aubrey to listen to Beca. The Bellas had a falling out because Aubrey's unwillingness to break away from the Bellas' tradition. Beca quits; however, she returns and apologizes after taking a break. The Bellas, after having a heart-to-heart talk, decided to adopt Beca's modern style of music. From then, Beca steers the Bellas into a new direction and instills a new sense of unity among the members as they all participate in arranging the piece they are going to perform in the finals, which finally earned them the title of a champion. Beca then unanimously became their leader when it comes to performances; however, she made it clear through her actions that she still thinks Aubrey has the leadership to manage the Bellas.

Reflections

Beca became a big influence in the Bellas through her daring character and was able to lead the Bellas in a new path through her style of music. Her assuming the responsibility of their future performances and the new reputation of the Bellas might be a hard feat for Beca, as the Bellas already had a name for performing their traditional set list. However with her members' newfound vigor to perform a new style of music and an increased sense of unity in the group, I believe it would be not as challenging as it may seem to be for Beca to lead them to another win in the next championships.

FACING THE GIANTS

Summary

"An action-packed drama about a Christian high school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team, and dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage."

                                                         -Written by Anonymous

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805526/plotsummary

Application of OB Concepts

• New Role for Managers (Servant Leadership): Grant Taylor, the head coach of the Shiloh Eagles football team at Shiloh Christian Academy, has yet to prove his worth as the head coach of the team by winning the current seasons' games, despite his team's continuous losing streak. As the coach of the football, his job is to lead his players to the championship, at the same time develop their potentials as football players and motivating them to give their best. Since the team has already suffered from many losses, they are already discouraged and have lost their will to fight. Coach Grant changes their pessimistic attitude by calling out to Brock, one of his influential players, and making him to the death crawl (crawling across the football field with the knees and elbows off the ground and with another lighter player on top) blindfolded to the 50 yard line, to maximize his potential. Coach encourages Brock constantly, telling him not to give up and quit along the way, as Brock is struggling in performing the task. Through the coach's never-ending encouragement, Brock managed to reach the 50 yard line, and this attitude, the coach said, will be the determining factor for the team's success. The players were inspired by this, and since then the players' outlook changed. They became more determined and more faithful in their teamwork and in their selves, as they openly pray and share their burdens with each other. Through the leadership of Coach Grant and the renewed vigor of the team, they eventually win the championships, despite facing the opposing team with three times more players than their team have. 

Reflections

Despite the many hardships, Coach Grant and his team went through, I was amazed at how they were able to get back on their feet and be better than before. He was able to instill openness and trust within the relationship of the players with themselves and the relationship the players have with the coach. It is a great feat to be able to do that, and I wish to develop the skill Coach Grant has to be able to motivate and lead my current and future group mates when we reach certain ruts in our lives.   

16 PERSONALITIES TEST

After taking the 16 personalities test and finding about the results, I can say that it almost accurately describes my personality. I usually prefer my own company or the company of the people I am close with and I easily get tired from socializing with other people. However, I disagree with being more intuitive than sensing. I pay more attention to the things I can physically sense and learn best when I am doing things hands-on, as I can see the their practical use for myself. With regards to my decision making, I usually think through and analyze situations first before I decide; however, I also make decisions based on my gut feel. Sometimes, in my decision making, I tend to overlook the people that might be affected in my decisions as I am too focused on the situation itself. I agree with having marginal or barely any preference of judging over perceiving. I usually do to-do lists, but at the same time, I do not really follow them the way they are ordered. Sometimes, I am feeling adventurous and want to try new things; other times, I want to just stick with the conventional ways. I usually mix work and play as I tend to get bored with all work, but other days, I am strictly work and no play. 

To conclude, taking this test helped me take a little peek of my own behavior and become aware of myself in how I operate in situations; thus, helping me know how I can improve in myself in the areas I am good at and work on the areas I am lacking. 

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

Summary

"Struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source, Rebecca Bloomwood unintentionally lands a job writing for a financial magazine after a drunken letter-mailing mix-up. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca's innovative comparisons and unconventional metaphors for economics grants her critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke. But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her "shopaholic" condition will bring her real happiness."

                                       

                                                   - Written by The Massie Twins

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093908/plotsummary

Application of OB Concepts

• Herzberg's Two-Factor Model (Job Context): Working as a journalist in a gardening magazine leaves Rebecca Bloomwood yearning to quit that job that she does not really associate herself with. Since she is obsessed with clothes, shoes, bags- shopping, in general- she wanted to join and write for the fashion magazine Alette to avail of the perks of being a fashion magazine journalist. Not only does a fashion magazine journalist work with other journalists with the same passion for fashion, he or she is also entitled to discounts and freebies related to shopping, which what Rebecca has always been dreaming of. Therefore she does everything in her power, making herself presentable through her clothing and preparedness for the interview, even going as far as to purchase that green scarf which almost turned her life upside down, in order to get that unfilled position with the working environment she has always wanted to work in. In here we can see that the motivation that drives Rebecca to fill the fashion journalist position in Alette is the environment surrounding that job. Without that fashion-related ambiance, Rebecca may not be as motivated to work, like her current condition in writing for the gardening magazine, as writing about her passion would be make the work as natural as play.

Reflection

If Rebecca had gotten that unfilled position, I think that she would really do well in it. She literally shops a lot and she would be able to write helpful articles regarding fashion, like what to wear in the annual family reunion, where to get cheap but good quality clothing, where to avail of the varieties of discounts offered by various shops, and the like. If I were her manager, in order to motivate her more, I would appeal to her shopaholic nature and give her discounts to certain shops as her reward or maybe send her to fashion shows or fashion galas as a representative of the company if she performs well, since I already know that she would die, figuratively, for anything fashion and shopping related.  

HAIKYUU!!

Summary

"The practice match that will determine Kageyama and Hinata's future with the Karasuno High Volleyball Club begins as Kageyama, Hinata, and Tanaka battle Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and captain Daichi in a 3-on-3 match. Kageyama and Hinata can't coordinate initially due to Kageyama's old setting habits and constant harassment from Tsukishima but with encouragement from Sugawara, they manage to figure out a way to utilize their skills to create the perfect attack."

Source: http://haikyuu.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_Guide

Application of OB Concepts

• Types of leadership skills (human): Sawamura Daiichi is the team captain of the volleyball club and exhibits the human type of leadership skill. As he is portrayed in the series, he may not be that good in terms of skills as a volleyball player, but he keeps the team together and is the strong foundation that supports the his team. His ability to build teamwork is shown in the fourth episode of series where he tests the teamwork of Hinata and Kageyama as a part of the team's annual recruitment process. He saw that Hinata and Kageyama were not getting along, so he put them both in the same team. If they win, they will be accepted in the team. If the opposite happens, they will be disqualified. Daiichi did this in order to make them realize that in team sports, one does not win alone. As what he also said, the team is stronger when they fight together, rather than when they fight alone, even if there is a better player among them. Daiichi perfectly captured the notion of camaraderie over skill and instilled it in the hearts and minds of the his teammates as early as recruitment period. 

Reflections

Daiichi embodies the type of leader that I want to become and inspired me just by watching him interact with his members. It is quite hard to keep members to work with camaraderie as they develop in terms of their respective skills, based on my personal experience. They tend to rely more on their abilities, rather than to trust their teammates, in order to win. Daiichi was able to accomplish just that, despite the hardheadedness of Hinata and Kageyama.