Leadership
One person’s actions influencing the behavior of others
Taking the mountain
Holding Position
Leadership
Some guiding principles
Hold position
Induce behavior
Take the mountain
vs.
Transactional
vs.
depends on extrinsic factors
vs.
Structural
Inspire behavior
Transformational
intrinsic factors
Inter Personal
Course Contents
Session I – critique the movie “Rudy”
Session II – examine a model of motivation
Session III – apply the model
The movie “Rudy”
Classic movie about a young man who fulfilled his dream
to play football at Notre Dame (against all odds)
Why would we want to study this movie?
Rudy was NOT a leader
We will use the movie to illustrate principles and
concepts associated with motivation
One of the barriers to effective leadership are the myths
and misconceptions associated with motivation
From the movie “Rudy”
Who is the most motivated character in the movie?
No, it is not a TRICK QUESTION
Was Rudy the most motivated student?
Was Rudy the most motivated worker in the factory?
Was Rudy more motivated to get married than his girl friend?
Or the most motivated to buy a house?
How can we say then that Rudy is the most motivated character
in the movie? Why isn’t there a movie called “Sheri”?
Motivation is not a characteristic of a person, it is a psychological
process directed toward a specific behavior and its outcome
From the movie “Rudy”
The term “dream” was mentioned quite often and is a main
theme of Rudy’s motivational speeches.
What do we think a “dream” is and how does it
relate to motivation?
Let’s start with the notion that a “dream” as it is presented here
represents the aspirational nature of human beings
Aspiration is the essence of motivation
It’s the notion of wanting something we currently do not have
It’s the focus of our affection, what we value
From the movie “Rudy”
The factor that determines whether followers are motivated
to hold position or take new ground is their perspective
on their dreams.
What were some of the perspectives given regarding “dreams”
or “dreamers”
High school teacher – dreamers are not doers, not achievers
Pete – “having dreams is what makes life tolerable”
Rudy’s father – “chasing a stupid dream causes nothing
but you and everyone around you heartache”
Priest – “the secret to happiness is to be thankful (satisfied)
with what we have”
If our objective is to take the mountain, then we must nurture
that dream in our followers, otherwise there is satisfaction
in the status quo or fear of the mountain
From the movie “Rudy”
The term “dream” was mentioned quite often and is a main
theme of Rudy’s motivation related organization,
but, how did Rudy’s dream affect his behavior?
Until he was 22 years old, the only evidence is that he watched
ND play football on TV, saved $1000, and went to hear the coach
speak
What then changed to make Rudy’s “dream” more influential
on his behavior?
Significant negative emotional experience heightened
Rudy’s “disequilibrium”
Decision to not be influenced by his circumstances (barriers)
Established small steps necessary to reach his “dream”,
which had now become a goal.
From the movie “Rudy”
The term “heart” was also mentioned quite often.
What does “heart” mean and how is it related to motivation?
as the old
saying goes
“where your treasure
value is, there
is, there
willwill
your
your
motivation
heart bebealso”.
also”
Lot’s of “heart” simply means the person HIGHLY desires the
outcome associated with a behavior and therefore great
EFFORT is exerted towards the outcome
“If you want to change her behavior,
you must effectively meet some need
by aligning with her value”
From the movie “Rudy”
How would you describe the factors that influenced Rudy as
a practice squad member in comparison to his practice
squad teammate (Jim)?
Rudy’s were needs that were primarily satisfied from the behavior
itself. Jim’s were needs that had to be externally supplied by
his family.
What are intrinsic factors versus extrinsic factors?
Intrinsic factors are the meaning, purpose, and enjoyment
directly provided by the behavior itself
Extrinsic factors are benefits or consequences associated with
one’s behavior provided by sources outside of the individual
Which factors do you think are “the strongest”?
From the movie “Rudy”
Visualizing one’s goals can enhance motivation
How did Rudy strengthen his drive toward his goal?
Watching games on TV as a kid.
Wearing a ND letter jacket.
Walking onto the football field.
Attending practices and working with the facilities.
From the movie “Rudy”
Did Rudy’s effort result in performance?
Rudy to priest: “If it (trying hard) doesn’t produce results,
it doesn’t mean anything”
Rudy to Coach: “ No matter how hard I try, I’m never going to get
above the prep squad. God made certain people to
be football players, but I’m not one of them.”
From the movie “Rudy”
Was Rudy the best performer on ND football team?
But we agreed he put forth the most effort
Several people were told that if they put forth as much effort
as Rudy, they would have accomplished a whole lot more
So the most motivated person is NOT the best performer!
What factors influence performance?
Skill (“God made some people to be football players and others not”)
Situation (“NCAA only allows 60 players to dress out at games”)
Effort (“if you tried as hard as Rudy, you’d be an All American”)
Motivation is not the only (and maybe not even the main) factor
that contributes to performance
From the movie “Rudy”
Yet people rewarded Rudy in various ways. How then would you
describe the behavior of others toward Rudy as he sought
to be on the practice squad and after he made it?
He was selected to be on the practice squad in spite of his lack of ability
He was promised that he would dress out in a game in spite of regulations
Teammates appealed new coach on behalf of Rudy
What factors influenced these actions toward Rudy?
“he’s put more effort than anyone”
“you deserve it, you can dress for one game next season”
“it’s not right”
People rewarded Rudy because of the notion of equity,
not his achievement
Some lessons learned from the movie “Rudy”
1. Motivation must be related to a targeted behavior –
it is not a characteristic of a person!
2. Valence (what an individual favors, values, etc) is the driving
force behind motivation
3. Negative emotion can be a powerful influence on motivation by
signaling to us disequilibrium
4. Intrinsic motivational factors have more positive influence on
effort than extrinsic
5. Proximal goals influence behavior more than distal goals
6. Visualizing one’s goals enhances goal striving
7. Society values achievement “against all odds” (underdogs).
Basically, society values high levels of motivation maybe more
than performance
8. Equity judgments affect motivation in a variety of ways
9. Effort (the outcome of motivation) is not correlated with
performance (inter person analysis)
Too often we see motivation as some kind of “silver bullet”
for success (either ours or someone we want to perform better)
SO, what is the right way to think about motivation
Effort
Direction and intensity of attentional resources
Individual
Traits
States
KSA’s
Needs
Attitudes
Job Design
Hygiene factors
Reinforcement
Goals
Justice
Feedback
Reward Systems
Situation
skill
Motivation
Process
effort Behavioral
Outcome
facilitator/inhibitor
(policies, equipment, conditions)
Choice
Striving
Leadership
Some guiding principles
Hold position
Induce behavior
Take the mountain
vs.
Transactional
vs.
depends on extrinsic factors
vs.
Structural
Inspire behavior
Transformational
intrinsic factors
Inter Personal