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

Due Date was 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, perfectionist professional, 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 by Douglas Young (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 by rAjOo (gunwanti@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 his 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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0_5jwOFet0

Now for some much needed work comic relief….

Top 10 Funny (DUE DATE QUOTES)
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 movie Forrest 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

Jennifer Nuce (jennifer@level88.ca)

778 558 3910

www.level88.ca

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