Coach Carter - Movie Review

Assignment # II
(BKS Evening MBA – Sem I, Batch 2021-24)

Subject name: Organizational Behaviour

Course Instructor: Prof. Margie Parikh

Date of submission.: 15th Nov. 2021.

Submitted by:
Roll no. 22104 (Mr. Kunjan Barot),
Roll no. 22105 (Mr. Darshan Bhadiyadra),
Roll no. 22111 (Mr. Krunal Dave),
Roll no. 22122 (Mr. Abhishek Langde),
Roll no. 22143 (Mr. Darshit Shah)
1. Introduction:
“Coach Carter” movie is from 2005 by paramount pictures, starring Samuel L. Jackson
and directed by Thomas Carter. It is a Motivational /Inspirational and also a Drama
based on the real-life story of a Basketball Coach, Ken Carter who lives in Richmond,
California. Coach Ken Carter was in controversy during the year 1999 when he
suspended his undefeated basketball teams only because the team fail to perform in
academics.

The action was known as lockout and was criticized by the team parents, media and
the board members of school. Ken Carter made the lockout as he wanted that the team
should also take their academics seriously just as they did the basketball so that they
could have eligibility to go to college, more opportunities in life and make their future
better. Later he was praised by everyone for his work, Teaching values, Discipline and
also making the future bright for his team players.

2. Plot summary:
The movie is about Coach Ken Carter, a sports goods store owner who accepts a job
as a basketball coach at his old high school in Richmond and there he had his own
records as an athlete during his school time.

Players of basketball team at Richmond were very rude behaving, displaying poor
attitudes and a lack of respect for authority. The team went on a very bad performance
at the court. Carter sets to change the poor attitude of the players and their overall
performance. To meet his goal, he got a contract signed by all the players. The contract
demanded a strict regime that includes a respectful behaviour (Refer everyone as SIR),
maintain a minimum 2.3 (c+) grade point average in academics, attend classes and sit
on first bench and wear dress Shirt & Tie on the match day. These terms were
unacceptable a few players who left the team.

Coach Carter was a very disciplined person and did not tolerate any unacceptable
behaviour. Any misbehaving player had to go through of physical punishments of
Push-Ups and Suicides counted to a few hundreds. Later on, the initial resistance by
boys soon disappeared as they began to win matches consecutively and eventually,
became an undefeated basketball team of tournaments.

However, upon looking to the academics of the players, Coach carter found that some
of the players have failed in academics and are not attending the class. This was
against the terms of his contract and therefore, he takes an immediate action by locking
the court and cancelling all the future matches and activities until the team improves
on their academics. This event also drag carter in to a controversy but he fights back
by being determined upon his decision and make everyone to believe that the boys
should have another opportunity to rely upon, other than only relying on the
basketball sport for their future.
 In my opinion the movie is very motivating and more interestingly is that how a
single person can make a difference. Ken carter creates hope to have a better future
in the minds of athletes who were directionless and hopeless. The team did not show
any discipline nor they had unity within. There is much more to learn from the movie
with inspirational speeches, scenes and promising moments.

One of the best dialogues in movie is by Timo Cruz (player of team) who answers
Coach Carters’ question - What is your greatest fear?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful
beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You’re playing small
does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some
of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others.”

3. Detailed analysis:
A. Segments noteworthy from OB Perspective

Teamwork
Leadership
Strategy
Motivation
Planning

B. Interpretation of the selected segments based on your understanding of

OB

Teamwork: Teamwork involves a set of tasks and activities performed by individuals

who collaborate with each other to achieve a common objective. That objective can be
creating a product, delivering a service, writing a report, or making a decision.

The five elements that make teams function are:

o Common commitment and purpose
o Specific performance goals
o Complementary skills
o Commitment to how the work gets done
o Mutual accountability
Moment/Scene in the Movie:
When carter gave punishment to Timo Cruz for 1000 pushups, he failed to do so and
gave-up at that time Jason Lyle agreed to complete Timo Cruz’s remaining task. In
addition of this other team members also joined for Timo Cruz’s pending task so this
way they are showing team work and carter has appreciated the same.

Leadership: Leadership is the art of motivating a group

of people to act toward achieving a common goal.

Moment/Scene in the Movie:

As clear communication is required for any leader towards
achieving a common goal so in this movie carter has
circulated written contract which demands respectful
behaviour, dress code and good grades for the players. So,
he has shown good leadership skill over here.

When opponent team misbehaves with carter’s team at that time carter again guided to
team you are becoming a champion and champion never do wrong act.

Strategy: we can define strategy as the direction and

scope of an organization over long term, which are to be
achieved by matching its resources to its changing
environment.
Moment/Scene in the Movie:
Carter makes Dean (Man to man pressure), Linda (pick
the ball and pass to other) and Dealela (Trap the
defence) kind of strategic code words to win against opponent.
Also, he uses the strategy of weakness of opponent and strength of the own- As part of
it he asks his team as opponent team looks like tired so go for attack for goal.

Motivation: Motivation is the process that initiates,

guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviours.

Moment/Scene in the Movie:

When carter found some players are passed in
examination but carter want each and every player pass
as team. For that to motivate team, carter has locked up
court and cancelled consequently two matches and
decided to no not to open till results improve. Now
media and school management pressurized carter to open the court. Now carter has
delivered motivational speech and realized students about their family weakness to
encouraging to make successful in throughout the life with discipline. After passing this
getting good college for better future.
 Planning: Organizational planning is the process of
defining a reason for existing, setting goals aimed at
realizing full potential, and creating increasingly
separate tasks to meet those goals.

Moment/Scene in the Movie:

As they have lost against San Francisco in 1st match a
very badly so to be in better position against San
Francisco they have scheduled practice timing/Self-discipline also used code words.
In the last part of the movie match of against san Francisco same as earlier Rich Mond
is legging by more margin at that time carter gave again new planning to beat this team.

C. Linking the segments' interpretation to specific theory/theories of OB

Following theories of Organisational Behaviour can be applicable to Movie “Coach

Carter”
 Motivational Theories
 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
 Theory of X and Theory of Y
 Vroom Expectancy theory

Motivational Theories
Motivation as the processes that account for an individual’s intensity, direction and
persistence of efforts towards attaining a goal. It supports leaders to achieve the
objectives through goal-orientated characteristics and pushes individuals to work hard
at achieving the highlighted goals.
As an effective leader, one should keep an open perspective on human nature. An
effective leader must have a thorough knowledge of motivational factors for others. The
leader must understand the basic needs of the employees, peers and superiors.
Motivation, like motivational theories can be divided into two types;
o Intrinsic (internal) motivation
o Extrinsic (external) motivation

Intrinsic motivation:
Intrinsic motivation is driven by an individual’s wish
and interests to perform a particular task. Intrinsic
motivation exists within the individual rather than
relying on the external pressures or a desire for a
reward. Completing tasks gives the individuals
pleasure when doing so.

Extrinsic motivation:
Extrinsic motivation focuses on performance which
leads to achieve an outcome and achieve a reward (for example, money or status) for
showing their desired behaviour. Punishments are a threat for not achieving goals/ aims.
Extrinsic motivation is linked to competition because this encourages the individuals or
team members to succeed and reap rewards.

Intrinsically motivated members of a team are likely to do better that extrinsically

motivated individuals due to being eager to learn new materials and go beyond the
subject.

Moment/Scene in the Movie:

Coach Carter portrays towards more of an intrinsic motivator through his genuine
interest and passion to inspire and motivate the team to achieve the goals. His passion
for the team comes from within as opposed to external factors and the pressures of
achieving rewards. Coach Carter motivates the team intrinsically by not applying
pressure to win however the team adhere to his clear expectations and achieve more than
they expected to without the pressures of feeling they must achieve.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory links to the above intrinsic and extrinsic
motivational theory. The classes of needs were summarised by Maslow as follows:

How Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs works:

Maslow has concluded that before an individual can be intrinsically motivated the basic
needs of the pyramid need to be met. There are five basic levels of human needs:

The theory suggests that an individual begins at the bottom of the pyramid and will
initially aim to meet their basic needs (Physiological needs). E.g. food, water. Once these
basic needs have been satisfied, they are no longer a motivator and the individual moves
up to the next level (safety needs).

Safety needs: Once the first stage of the pyramid have been met the person can
concentrate on bringing safety into their lives. These needs include stability, routine,
familiarity, control.
  Within Coach Carter the team gain stability by Coach Ken Carter setting clear
expectations forming a routine for the team and highlights familiarity and control
through the team’s ethos.

Esteem needs are about being given recognition for completing a job well to achieve self-
esteem and self-respect. For example, a promotion within the work field may achieve
this.
 In relation to Coach Carter the team experience this when they acknowledge that
their hard work is paying off and their grades and sport is improving.

Self-actualisation is about how people think about themselves - this is often measured
by the extent of success and/or challenge at work. This level of hierarchy is focuses on
an individual being able to reach their full potential. If an individual has satisfied the first
four levels of needs, they have the ability to concentrate on reaching the final and highest
potential.

The first four needs of the pyramid are known as deficiency needs as they come from
things that the individual is lacking and can only be met by external factors.

However, the final stage, self- actualisation is a growth need and provides individuals
to grow and develop. This need is always intrinsically motivated as individuals achieve
this out of pure enjoyment and desire to grow and develop.

 In relation to Coach Carter the team achieve the final stage due to his
transformational leadership as they desire to grow and develop from within
following his inspiration.

Moment/Scene in the Movie:

Coach Carter enables the team to make choices for themselves and is open to listen to
their concerns. Therefore, this motivates the team to succeed as they have been given
autonomy and met the higher needs of the hierarchy of needs.
McGregor Theory Y and theory X
McGregor developed a model known as Theory X and Theory Y. They are perceptions
about how people behave. Below is a table of the traits of individuals that fit into either
‘Theory X’ and ‘theory Y’.

Theory X leaders tend to pressure and control their followers. Whereas, Theory Y leaders
tend to develop the potential in their followers and support them in being aware of their
potential and how to achieve common goals.

Motivation through Theory X Motivation through Theory Y

Discipline Self-belief

Control management Integrity

Resource management Openness

Conflict management Vulnerability

Performance focus Purpose

Recognition

Belief and Shared Leadership

Moment/Scene in the Movie:
Coach Carter motivates the team through the 'Theory Y'. He aims to engage the players
to achieve beyond their self-interest through seeking to win the players trust, admiration
and loyalty so that they are emotionally as well as rationally inclined to do more than
they originally expected to do.

Vroom Expectancy theory

Vroom’s expectancy theory focuses on achieving aims and not on an individual’s needs
unlike Maslow and Herzberg theories do.

The expectancy theory suggests that individuals are motivated by three factors; valence
(reward), expectancy (performance) and instrumentality (belief). Vroom’s expectancy
theory states that individual’s motivation is an outcome of how much an individual
wants a reward (known as valence), the assessment that the likelihood that the effort will
lead to expected performance (expectancy stage) and the belief that the performance will
lead to a reward (instrumentality).

The product of each of these stages leads to motivation to achieve the initial goal.
In relation to Coach Carter, he adheres to these three stages throughout the film to
motivate the team players to succeed in both sport and their education. He begins by
rewarding the players for their attendance within their classes by opening up the
basketball court. He then uses discipline and signed contracts to portray that as a coach
he is serious in achieving success in all aspects of the individuals lives which encourages
the team to build up trust and loyalty of their coach in order to go on to demonstrate
their motivation in succeeding.
Vroom’s Expectancy Theory can be thought of as the strength that drives the team
towards their goals.

For example, if the team wish to succeed then improving their education to continue
playing sport is of high valence to the team. If the team believe that attending their classes
and being dedicated to this will result in good reviews and opportunities to continue
training then the players have high expectancy.

But if the team believe that they will not improve their grades and win the championships
then the players have low instrumentality. Therefore, the team are not motivated to
perform any harder and achieve the successes. However, Coach Carter is an effective
transformation leader and uses his effective leadership qualities (stated above) to ensure
that the team are motivated in aiming high and achieving the goals to the best of their
ability.
D. Learning from the movie

“Patience, Persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for

success “
-Napoleon Hill

 In line with above philosophical idea, we elaborate literate about movie that
coach carter sets for his players is ultimately what creates unity.
 Moreover, his strong determination to uplift each member of team to grow at
such an extent beyond four walls of their high school gym.
 Coach carter strongly believe and consistently follow his ethical values for
betterment of his team players not to build a good basketball player but a
wealthy, educated successful men in society and continuously fought to see
it through.
 With an addition to the above finally to conclude at the end that to discover
the ascertained lesson about movie that we should have to be sincere with
goal and to do hard work to achieve for it at not a cost of misbehaviour and
in guilt. One should have ideal men’s moral values & ethics for become a
respectable & successful person in our life in future. During journey one
should have patience with perception and perspiration so that anyone can to
be reach at desired final destination at the end.