Chris Gardner - Leadership

The encounter displayed in the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” is extremely relative to what is studied in our leadership course.  The Pursuit of Happyness is a film about the on and off, homeless salesman (Chris Gardner) who turned into a stockbroker.  It’s based on a true life story about a man fighting his way from struggles with his family, and his finances to the point of homelessness, and to eventually set up a brokerage firm.  Chris had extreme hunger for success in his life, and it contributed to his persistence. He had lost everything in his life, and it was his hunger to get out of the rut that brought him to his eventual success.

In spite of Chris’ series of unfortunate events, he was raising a son.  This was extremely difficult because children do not understand the extremities of homelessness and it remains difficult to maintain a positive image in life given the harsh realities that he faces.

Will Smith plays Chris Gardner in the movie.  In the clip, we experience a motivational speech about possibility to his son. We as an audience can understand the struggle that Chris is facing because experiences in life constantly bring him down.  It is difficult to remain positive and motivated in the midst of such failure.  The critical part comes from the lesson learned in the speech.

The encounter displayed in the movie between actor Will Smith and his son, displays the situational approach to leadership.  To elaborate, it is crucial to realize that Will Smith must analyze the level of development that his son is in.  After this analysis it is critical to understand that the leader must react in ways that best fit the situation.  At first, he begins by explaining that his son should not waste his time with basketball because he has no future in it.  After the analysis, he completely backs away and says, "Don't ever let someone tell you, you can't do something. Not even me.  You got a dream, you got to protect it.  People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it.  You want something, go get it.  Period."  This “speech” exemplified the fact that the follower needed a motivation, morale and self-confidence boost.  Ultimately these kinds of talks allow individuals to feel good about what it is they are pursuing, enabling success from practicing and hard work. 

Leaders that engage in this type of behavior are infinitely important.  What if Michael Jordan had listened to his high school basketball coach (after being cut from the team), instead of his father who encouraged him to follow his dreams?  For every talented individual, there is a tremendous leader, bringing the best out of that individual.    

As a leader, Chris learned something through his own statements, and in turn, helped his son learn a very valuable lesson.  You must realize that who you have demonstrated up until today will have little to do with who you can become later on in life.  You can fail your whole life and still turn it all around at any given time.  As for people saying you can't do something because they can't do it themselves, it is vital to realize that they aren't you.  Your own determination and integrity alone will help you overcome the limitations that they were never able to.  When that time comes where you have achieved that goal you have set out to get, you will help those around you realize that perhaps it's also possible for them.

Words can be a powerful thing.  As a leader, particularly utilizing the situational approach, know what to say, and when to say it.  

-Danny Mielneczek