Leaders and Teachers in Popular Culture : An Analysis of Leadership in Film and Television

Aim and research question The aim of the study is to examine how leadership and motivation are portrayed in popular cultural works with a sporting context, and to analyze these portrayals in relation to Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Bass’s leadership theories. The study aims to contribute knowledge that can be used in teacher education and professional development to promote a critical approach to leadership and motivation in physical education teaching. 1. How is leadership portrayed in Coach Carter and Ted Lasso in relation to Bass’s theory of transformational and transactional leadership? 2. How is motivation portrayed in the two works in relation to SDT, and how is motivation expressed through the leaders’ language, actions, and relationships? Theory and method The study adopts a qualitative, theory-driven analysis of film and televised material. Four key scenes were selected from each work through targeted sampling, focusing on situations where interaction between the coach and the players is central. The selected scenes were transcribed and analysed with a focus on language, actions, and relationships using SDT and leadership theory as an analytical framework. The method aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how leadership and motivation are portrayed in popular culture, rather than to generalise the findings. Results The results show that Coach Carter and Ted Lasso represent two contrasting leadership ideals. Carter initially portrays an authoritarian and controlling leadership style, in which motivation is primarily created through external regulation, while Ted represents a relationship-orientated and autonomy-supportive leadership style. However, the analysis demonstrated that motivation in both works is dynamic and develops over time in relation to the leader's language, actions, and relationships with the players. Conclusion Overall, the study shows that popular cultural works present simplified and contrasting ideals that convey norms, about leadership and motivation. These representations may influence perceptions of teaching within physical education.