Leadership at the Movies: “Miracle”
This lesson introduces the students to the trait theory of leadership by using the film Miracle. Use either this lesson or lesson 3a, “Invictus,” but not both.
Overall Goal Students will identify and describe traits of positive, successful leaders.
Objectives 1. Watch carefully leadership traits on display in scenes from Miracle.
2. Identify and describe leadership traits demonstrated by the main character. 3. Explain why a team’s performance can affect the larger institution, be it a school or a nation. A/V Support A cadet will be needed to cue the videos and manage the DVD player. This cadet should be someone other than the instructor. Lesson Outline 1. Attention / Viewing: The Right Man for the Job 4 min 2 min 3 min 6 min 2 min 5 min 5 min
2. Background Information About the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team 3. Viewing: Coach Brooks Goes Ballistic 4. Discussion Questions 5. Viewing: Coach Brooks Dismisses a Player 6. Discussion Questions 7. Take-Aways a. We can identify leaders by the traits they display. b. Leadership by example is the foundation of leadership. c. Young people can develop the same traits Coach Brooks displayed 8. Conclusion Estimated Duration
1 min 28 – 35 min
Attention: “The Right Man for the Job” Show Miracle 3:56 to 6:10 from where Kurt Russell interviews for the job of head coach, until the end of the interviewers’ questions. Following the clip, cue the film to 1:24:05 for the next scene to be discussed. 1. What are some of the leadership traits we see here in Coach Brooks, played by Kurt Russell? Willing to try a totally new approach to selecting, training, and playing hockey. Brooks doesn’t try to weasel into the job, he speaks his mind politely but frankly and presents his philosophy as honestly as possible. Clearly Coach Brooks has come to this interview having already invested a great deal of thought into where the hockey program needs to go....