Perseverance of a Great Leader

Submitted to

Dr. Edward A. Gibbons, III

Of

Louisiana State University

School of Leadership and Human Resource Development

College of Human Sciences and Education

In partial fulfillment of course requirements for LHRD 3723

by

Gavin Dugas

Houma Christian High School, 2018

October 2, 2019

Upon watching the great documentary, Gleason, it can be said that Steve and Michel exhibited many great leadership traits. Of the many traits that they exhibit, confidence is very evident out of the both. Within the text of the power points, “confidence is described as a trait that has to do with feeling positive about one’s self and one’s ability to succeed” (Northouse, 2018). This is said for Steve because he is confident within the documentary to achieve his goal of playing professional football. Not only is he confident in his ability to compete at the highest level of football, Steve is also confident about overcoming challenges that he is faced with. The biggest challenge that life could possibly offer is something that Steve took by the rains. Although he may have struggled at times, he was still very confident in his ability to continue to live his life to the fullest. Along with Steve being confident, Michel is equally as confident in facing the biggest challenge that life gave to Steve by being along side him for anything that he needs. Another trait they exhibit individually and together very well is charisma. According to the notes, charisma is a “magnetic charm and appeal that gives leaders exceptional powers of influence” along with being able to inspire others (Northouse, 2018). Steve is very inspiring human just by the character that he has. He becomes even more of a magnetic charm when is faced with the challenge of ALS. He does this by showing others how not to be brought down from a challenge that someone may be faced with but rather be uplifted and move forward from it. Standing up to ALS and being a light for others allowed Steve to be a inspiration for many people that never had one in their fight with ALS. Through the relationship of Steve and Michel, charisma is shown by Michel when she chooses not to leave Steve. She chooses to conquer life with him instead and live it to the fullest. This is where everyone sees her shine and become an inspiration for the family members of others struggling with ALS. Determination is said to be someone who is “focused and attentive to tasks” and someone who “knows where to go and how to get there” (Northouse, 2018). Steve is a determined individual because he had to work harder than most to achieve what he wanted in football. Within the documentary, it is said that Steve had to work harder because of his size. His size was said to be very unsuccessful in the National Football League, but he was determined to prove himself. He did exactly that by playing for the saints.

Steve and Michel hit it if off almost immediately during the documentary. They have outgoing personalities that latched together. In the beginning of their young lives, they both exhibited positive psychology by choosing to live life in the best way possible for them. They did this by participating in everything they could. They went to all kinds of events together and participated in traveling and exploring the world. What stood even more about their positive psychology after the reveal of Steve’s diagnosis with ALS. This was amazing for people, but they chose to conquer what life has to offer by continuing to explore the world together. Along the way they made inspiring documentaries that they can leave for a lifetime. They went to different countries, sky dived, and swam in events all while being faced with a life threating challenge. During this time of finding out the worse news of their lives, they also received the greatest news of their lives as well. This was the news of an amazing being that was created and on the way. This news did not stop them but instead pushed them to experience life even more. They were two people that were the life of wherever they went together. When times did faulter for them was when they were finally faced with the difficult challenges of ALS. When Steve was eventually to walk or talk, Michel had to become more involved in his care taking. All the while caring a child that was soon to be coming. When Rivers arrived to the family, Michel’s work load was brought to another level. She had to take care a of newborn as well as take care of Steve whose body was continuing to fail him even more each day. Once the hard times officially set in, the struggles began to show. Michel began to show resentment toward Steve at times which didn’t go well on Steve. Steve recognized that Michel was beginning to get worn down. Within the documentary, Michel spoke about how she did not sleep at night cause she had to take care of Steve, and she struggled to sleep during the day due to having to take care of Rivers. Although she was not giving up, she was struggling to keep up with everything that she had the responsibility to take care of. Times became hard for Steve when he began to lose complete control of his body. He struggled to breath and to use the restroom as well as. Steve documented himself during the movie isolated from everyone talking to Rivers in the camera. During this time Steve showed major signs of struggle by talking about not being able to control his bow movements. Not only did he say that, but he said that he felt as if he was being rude to everyone and he knew that he was doing it at the same time. Steve wanted to release his frustration through punching something, but his condition would not allow that. He was able to do it by yelling out load. Not only did Steve show signs of struggle in that documented part but he was also seen showing frustration with his father in another part of the movie. Steve was frustrated about his father and the religious stance that he took with Steve. His father chose to take a very religious approach to Steve when he really struggled with it. Steve opened to his father about his frustration before he eventually lost his communication skills. He asked his father to respect his faith and to never question it from that point moving forward. During the documentary, these major parts showed everyone all about the true people that Steve and Michel are. Everyone can see how driven people who are thrill seekers can struggle at times as well.

When looking from a leadership style perspective, Steve and Michel do exhibit some types of leadership. They did these things through their sports, work, committees and the Gleason foundation. Steve showed an authoritarian style of leadership most of all through his foundation that he created. This style of leadership is said to “exert influence and control over group member” (Northouse, 2018). He is shown during the documentary giving his specific wants and needs of the foundation that he wants his members to get done for him. They consisted of fulfilling the desires of current ALS patients who could not afford them on their own. Also, it also gave people aid in the purchasing of the wheelchairs with the communicating devices on them. At the same time, it can also be said that Steve takes a laissez-faire style of leadership which is where “the leader is nominal and only engages in minimal influence” (Northouse, 2018). Steve does give his members orders in what he wants to get done but it appears that he leaves it to them to have them do it and take care of most of the work that it requires. It appears that Michel uses and authoritarian style of leadership in everything that she does. This is said because she is controlling everything that she takes care of in life. He is controlling Steve as well as the baby. Not only is she taking care of those things, but she is also running the media for the Gleason foundation. Michel does a great job of controlling the things around her and giving the right guidance. They both show great styles of leadership in their aspect of life and handle it very well.

It appears that Steve resembles task-oriented styles of leadership for many reasons. These reasons consist of the of the many things that he has chosen o accomplish in his lifetime. It started from when he was a young athlete pursuing his dream of becoming a professional athlete. He was focused on achieving and being successful. Also, Steve chose to set a goal for himself by living life and enjoying everything her possibly could for himself. Not only did he do this, but he also chose to fight with all he could for his son. This shows that he also a relationship-oriented style of leadership because he involves striving to live for his son rivers. He chose to have a breathing machine put into his body to help him continue to live life because he wanted to be there for his son. He sacrificed his lifestyle to document it for his son so he could show him the type of person that he truly is. He did all of this to show him what the kind of guy he was before ALS completely took over his body.

From the beginning of the summer to now, I can honestly say that my idea of leadership has not changed very much. I say this only in retrospect to being and athlete and seeing the sports realm of leadership for so long. On the other hand, I can say that I have seen the way leadership is used for different environments. For me, it continues to stay the same no matter what environment that I am in.

If I were to be living my life and get the new that I have ALS, I would be very shocked. I would be very shocked however I would not stop living my life. I would do everything in my power to enjoy every possible second with my family and fulfill my dreams that I have for myself. I don’t know if I will be as mentally strong as Steve would, but I would do everything in my power to not show any signs of struggle and continue to be a light for others. One major thing that I would do different compared to Steve. I would be way more faithful in putting my trust in God to take care of me and guide in what He wants to me do. If it is in His will to have me get through it and beat I will, but if it is in His will for me to eventually pass from it, I will be fine with it as well.

Overall, after watching the documentary on the Gleason family, it can be said that they have made a great impact on the world. They took something that is seen as very destructive and brought hope for so many through their foundation. They gave people strength by showing how strong that they were through the tough times. They showed people that it is okay to struggle when times get tough because they are not alone. They impacted so many including me through just watching the documentary. Steve Gleason is an amazing human being to brought light and hope to many.

References

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (4th ed.). Thousand

Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Tweel, C. (Director). (2016). Gleason [Motion Picture]