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What can the movie- Due Date, with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, teach you about your leadership style?

Guest post by: Jennifer Nuce

Article Overview: Leadership comes in all different styles. This article explores the contrast between the iron fist and the wet noodle approach. By comparing the very different characters in the movie Due Date, we can see how their extreme differences would give them the chance to learn from each other, translate this into leadership styles and we can do the same. More importantly, we can learn about our own style and how we can improve. Mix in a little comic relief, and we will all soon be laughing at ourselves, or not. Enjoy.

What can the movie- Due Date, with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, teach you about your leadership style?

Due Datewas written by screenwriters Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel, and Todd Phillips.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, here is a quick summary.

Two men, one uptight, well dressed, perfectionistprofessional, RDJ (Peter). One, sloppy, lonely, beardy, crazy guy, actor, meet at the airport, ZG (Ethan).

Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) must get to LA in five days to be at the birth of his firstborn. He is about to fly home from Atlanta when his luggage and wallet are sent to LA without him, and he is put on the “no-fly” list. Desperate to get home Peter is forced to accept the offer of Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) to hitch a ride with him cross-country. Peter is about to go on the most terrifying and agonizing journey of his life. Written bydouglas the movie guy.

Enroute from Atlanta to Los Angeles via plane to be on time for the birth of his first child, Peter Highman instead runs into fellow-passenger/aspiring Hollywood actor, Ethan Tremblay, and has part of his baggage switched. Just when the flight is about to take off, Peter gets into a situation, is shot and subdued by an Air Marshall. When he regains his senses he finds he is on the ‘No Fly List’, no money/credit card, nor identification, and is compelled to hitch a ride with Ethan. Hoping to make it in time, he is has no idea that soon he will be assaulted by a ‘handicapable’ Western Union employee; get in a serious accident that will result in a fracture and several stitches; be on the run from Mexican Police; suspect his wife of having an affair with his friend, Darryl, and that the child may not even be his!!Written byrajou at hotmail.com

Ethan essentially trashes Peter in to submission. Peter has an anger management issue, is a major control freak and

probably likes to iron is socks. Ethan’s sloppy and careless attitude lands them both into dangerously insane situations.

The contrast between the two characters is most interesting. On one hand you have a very organized individual who

wants to control everything, on the other, an individual who would rather look the other way, refusing to deal with

reality.

So how does this relate to your leadership style? Leaders who rule by the iron fist, refuse to relinquish control, withhold information, and animately disregard

the importance of appreciation, are considered to be toxic. These qualities guarantee people will be resentful

in the workplace, decreasing productivity and ensuring there will be no future leaders to take their place.

Succession plan, what succession plan?

Leaders who rule with complacency, look the other way, refuse to be pro-active, and would

rather keep things steady than rock the boat, foster a culture of people who may like them

as an individual, but have very little respect for them as a leader. In addition, their lack of

engagement equates to a nervous culture, who never really know what is expected of them

or where they stand. Employees know that this leader will put up with just about anything,

So, before you start justifying, denying, and looking the other way. Take a moment

to think about your leadership style? It might not be this black and white, but you

may notice some similar behaviours in yourself.

Word of caution:"You better check yourself, before you wreck yourself" E. Tremblay-

Now for some much needed work comic relief….

Top 10 Funny (DUE DATEQUOTES)

No. 10 Funny Due Date Quote

Ethan: Let me talk to her. (Grabs cell phone from Peter who is talking to his wife). Do you have a hairdresser out west? I just go this perm and it needs some major upkeep.

No. 9 Funny Due Date Quote

Ethan: Holy moly, it’s like I’m traveling with a child.

Peter: Did you use the restroom?

Ethan: Good point, I need to take a pee pee.

No. 8 Funny Due Date Quote

Ethan: My father always had a saying, ‘When a day starts like this, it’s all uphill from here.’

Peter: Uphill? No, it’s all downhill from here.

Ethan: But everybody wants to be up. Nobody wants to be down. So it’s all uphill from here.

Peter: But it’s easier as you go downhill so you’re dad didn’t know what (eff) he was talking about.

No. 7 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: I despise who you are on a cellular level.

Ethan: Okay, I’ve heard that before and I’m trying to work on it.

No. 6 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: If I miss the birth of my child, I’m going to choke you out with your own scarf.

Ethan: …Seems a bit drastic.

No. 5 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: Hand me that dog and I will cut it in half.

Ethan: You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.

No. 4 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: I have to get back to Los Angeles.

Man: Have you ever seen the movieForrest Gump? He ran across the U.S. and he was pretty stupid. I have faith in you.

No. 3 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: How have you made it this far? How have you not run yourself over in a car?

Ethan: I’ve done that.

No. 2 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: If you’re allergic to waffles, then don’t eat waffles.

Ethan: Then don’t take me to a waffle house!

No. 1 Funny Due Date Quote

Peter: Why are your father’s ashes in a coffee can?

Ethan: Because he’s dead Peter.

Original Top 10 content by: Colt Kingston

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Article Tags: becoming a better leader, comic relief, different styles, due date, ego check, emotional intelligence, extreme differences, iron fist, leadership, leadership development, leadership improvement, leadership style, leadership styles, robert downey jr, succession planning issues, zach galifianakis

About the Author: Jennifer Nuce RSS for Jennifer's articles - Visit Jennifer's website A professional leadership coach and founder of Level 88 coaching. Jennifer has a background in management in the Fi�nancial industry, small business ownership, and consulting, she went on to train at the nationally accredited International Coach Academy, in the Certified Professional Coach Program. She has supported hyper growth companies, through challenging transitions in the current economic climate. Successfully coaching small business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.A. and most recently working with one of BC's top 100 companies. Along with her unique coaching model and areas of focus, her patience, wisdom, energy, and flexibility have quickly given her success in the field of coaching. An active member of the animal welfare community, Jennifer supports PETA, WWF, and RAPS, a local no-kill animal shelter. She volunteers coaching services to teenage girls in her community. Click here to visit Jennifer's website More from Jennifer Nuce 5 Great Sales Tips Increase your sales success today How to set good business goals Three tips on how to manage your time attention and increase productivity What can the movie Due Date with Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis teach you about your leadership style Want to increase sales productivity focus Stop cluttering your mind with useless information Einstein was right all along take these simple tips and apply them today

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