Leadership in Movies- Pay it Forward (Stephanie Go)

From: "Stephanie Go" <stephanie.o.go@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 22, 2015 12:15 PM
Subject: Leadership in Movies- Pay it Forward (Stephanie Go)
To: "Stephanie Go" <stephanie.o.go@gmail.com>
Cc:

Comparison of PAY IT FOWARD to John Campbell's Monomyth and My Life

Rae Stephanie O. Go

Brief Synopsis of Pay it Forward: The story of a social studies teacher who gives an assignment to his junior high school class to think of an idea to change the world for the better, then put it into action. When one young student creates a plan for "paying forward" favors, he not only affects the life of his struggling single mother, but he sets in motion an unprecedented wave of human kindness which, unbeknownst to him, has blossomed into a profound national phenomenon (IMDB).

THE STAGES OF THE HERO'S JOURNEY

1.) The hero is introduced in his/her ORDINARY WORLD.

Trevor McKinney is a 12 year old student from Nevada. His mother, Arlene, is trying to recover from alcholism. He is perceived to be a normal student, not the popular nor the nerdy type.

2.) The CALL TO ADVENTURE.

Trevor and his classmates were required to complete a class project for social studies by Eugene. The project is to "Think of an idea to change our world---and put it into action".

3.) REFUSAL TO CALL up to CROSSING THE THRESHOLD

At first, Trevor and his classmates thought that the project is "weird" and "hard". Eugene asked Trevor why it seems difficult to do the project and he answered "because we're 11".  Trevor asked Eugene in return about what he did to change the world, and Eugene basically answered by being a teacher and passing on the baton.

On his way home, Trevor saw a homeless man, Jerry. He invited Jerry to sleep at him home as part of his "paying it forward", wherein he helps three people and those three people cannot pay back, but rather, each one of them is to do good deeds to three more people. Diagram depicts how Trevor plans to pay it forward.

4.) TESTS up to SUPREME ORDEAL

Arlene got mad that Trevor allowed a stranger (i.e. Jerry) to sleep in their house. Arlene asked Jerry to leave, and even questioned Eugene with regards to the assignment that he is requiring the students to do. At one point, she saw Jerry doing something in her truck. Jerry showed that he was able to fix her car, which is his way of paying it forward, and explained the concept to Arlene. That's when, she understands her son more.

After trying to fix a date between Eugene and Arlene, Trevor and Arlene had a big argument about how Arlene always lies, keeps on drinking and messing things up just like the date. At one point, he mentioned that he hates it that Arlene is his mother, and Arlene slapped him for that. After which, Trevor ran away. He was already in the bus station when Arlene and Eugene found him about to be molested, without him being aware of it. That night, Trevor and Arlene have reconciled.

5.) SEIZING THE REWARD AND THE JOURNEY HOME

All along, Trevor thought that his paying it forward did not work, from Jerry to Eugene to Adam. After giving Jerry his allowance/savings, he did not see him anymore.  Then, when Eugene and Arlene are already doing well in their relationship, where Trevor is very fond of, his father who was also an alcoholic came back. Arlene gave the father another chance as he promised that he is sober and has changed. So, Eugene and Arlene separated. Then, when Adam was being bullied, he couldn't defend him.

On Trevor's 12^th birthday, a reporter, who was tracing the reason as to why there is a "pay it forward" movement, came to their house and got to know that Trevor is the reason as to why the movement started. On that same day, he was interviewed. He mentioned how happy he is that he got his grandmother back after Arlene's initiative and courage to solve their conflict as one of her pay it forward act. And that, how he got an A in his social studies for his efforts despite that his "pay it forward" did not work. After the interview, Eugene and Arlene got back together as Eugene realized that he cannot live without Arlene. While this is happening, Trevor saw Adam being bullied again, and cannot withhold anymore. So, he helped Adam, but, at the end, he was stabbed by the bullies, and died.

Trevor may not have seen and enjoyed the rewards of his "pay it forward". But, many have experienced goodness because of the "pay it forward" that trickled down from his initiatives. But, at the end, many went to his place in appreciation of his "pay it forward" movement.

My life story:

When we were asked to think of a movie that can be related to our life and to Campbell's Monomyth, I thought of Trevor who is a normal kid who was challenged to make a difference. I was the same. I was never the popular or the smartest kid. But, I was given opportunities to make a difference. In college, when I was elected to be the Vice-President for Externals in our Economics Organization, I really hesitated to take the challenge. I was thinking that I was too shy to be one, and I had to do a lot of things that I was not used to like talking to various people. But, I took it, and developed good relationships with my co-officers, my juniors (assistant vice-presidents), and colleagues from other universities. I had a mentor in high school, and she told me that she want to disciple me to become a better version of herself. So, that is why, that is always one of my goals whenever I lead. One of the best rewards is to have developed my juniors to be a better version of me, and they did the same with their juniors.

But, when I was re-watching the movie, although I can see myself in Trevor, I can actually relate more with the character of Eugene now. Although, in his daily life, he is able to impart knowledge and wisdom to his students, which I am also able to do with my subordinates and friends, he is comfortable with his routinary life and is afraid of changes. I am comfortable waking up at 5:30, leave the house for work at 7:45, doing my work for the day, then go home and rest. Just like Eugene, many times, I get agitated when there are situations that break my routine. In contrast with Trevor, who went out of his way to create changes in ways that he knows just like asking Jerry to stay in their house and trying to set up Eugene to his mother as he perceived Eugene to be sad and that his mother might make him happy and vice-versa. At one point, Eugene told Trevor that he would grade him for his efforts and not because of the results of his "pay it forward". But, he was not after the grade. He was after the result of making a difference. As a leader, I have to be more like Trevor who creates change and makes things happen rather than being focused on my daily routine.  Also, as leaders, we are not here to be paid back, but rather to pay it forward. Let's not be content with our efforts unless we see results. And it is a great reward to see good things or deeds being passed on from one person to another. From this movie, I realized that sometimes a simple idea can make a big difference. It only has to start with each one of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw0Lvr4eK-k  3

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Regards,

Stephanie Go

Assistant Manager

Go Traktora Trading

+63-45-4914157

stephanie.o.go@gmail.com