Balanced Leadership In The Movie 'The Replacements'

“I wish I could say something classy and inspirational, but that just wouldn’t be our style”. (IMB, The Replacements. 2000) This quote is when the quarterback, Falco has the team in a huddle before their last play of a big game. The Replacements was released in 2000 and stars Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves. This movie is about a bunch of hopeful pro football players who take the place or replace real pro football players, who are on strike with the Washington Sentinels. The Washington Sentinels is one of the best teams in the league when the strike occurs. With playoff hopes still alive, the owner decides to recruit a retired veteran coach, Jimmy McGinty to whip the aspiring players into shape. As the team begins to show signs of competency on the field, the organization pulls together. This movie shows the concept of a balanced leader, willingness to communicate, and downward communication.
One concept that this movie portrays is that of the leadership approaches. Coach McGinty has the leadership approach of a balanced leader. Organizational Communication for Survival defines a balanced leader as “a management style that has a high concern for task and a high concern for people.” (Richmond, McCroskey, and Powell p. 111) Coach McGinty has care and concern for his players, but yet wants to win the
Downward communication is communication “that flows from upper management down to the employees at lower ranks.” (Richmond, McCroskey, and Powell p. 26) The owner is who make the rules and wants the team to succeed; only upon success does the owner reap the reward. An example of the downward communication is owner to the head coach, head coach to the quarterback, then the quarterback to the rest of the team. The owner also puts pressure on the coach and explains how things are going to be. After the coach receives instruction from the owner, he explains to the team what the