Goat is the story of Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin). He’s what is considered a small. What does that mean? His species isn’t very large, especially compared to the bulls, giraffes, and other animals that play sports. They believe he wouldn’t survive or thrive in their version of basketball: Roarball.
But Will’s mother, Louise (Jennifer Hudson), believes in her son. She constantly reinforced the belief that her son should dream big and reach beyond what others think he’s capable of. One day, Will’s dream comes true when Vineland Thorns owner Flo Everson (Jenifer Lewis) invites him to join the team after a video of Will went viral on social media.
He joins the team without hesitation.
He believed his troubles would be over. They weren’t. He now had to perform. He had to win over his teammates’ trust.
Will’s journey from little man to hero is a fun, inspiring experience. More than that, Will’s journey is a great way to explore Reel Leadership. Let’s see what leadership lessons Goat offers.
Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Goat
1. Great leaders give more than expected:
Louise brought her son to see Jett Fillmore’s (Gabrielle Union) billboard. All he wanted to do was experience being in the presence of the image of the great roarball player.
Louise didn’t stop there. Oh, no… she blew away little Will’s expectations. After visiting the billboard, Will was content. He thought his mother had to get to work. That wasn’t the case.
What had Louise done? She had purchased tickets to the Vineland Thorns roarball game. She gave Will more than he expected.
We think leaders and organizations give enough when they direct-deposit an employee’s paycheck. It’s the minimum level of effort an organization should give to its employees.
Organizations should go above and beyond. It’s what they expect out of employees. It’s also something pretty easy to do.
How can you go above and beyond? Try the following:
- Give out random bonuses when they least expect it
- Offer an extra day off
- Be lenient when a mistake is made
- Give a perk you may have received from a vendor to your employee
These little things say a lot. They say that you care.
Go beyond what is expected.
2. Will:
That’s going to be me.
Will and Louise were at the Vineland Thorns game. Will was mesmerized by Jett. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
He tells his mom that he’s going to make it to the big leagues one of these days. He has dreams and he’s going to fulfill them.
Where do you see yourself in 1, 5, or 10 years? Do you have a vision of where you’re going to be?
If not, what’s stopping you? What’s holding you back from dreaming?
Find a dream of what could be. Grasp onto it. Pursue it.
3. Will:
Let me show you what I got.
Will had gone to the Cage during the Thorns game. He wanted to practice roarball there while no one was around. Especially the bigs.
Well, Will practiced for a bit. But then the game finished and Grizz (Jelly Roll), one of the bigs, arrived at the Cage. Grizz told Will to get out. He’s not welcome there. Only the bigs get to play.
Grizz’s demands didn’t deter Will. Will chose to speak up. He told Grizz that he would show him what he had, why he should be able to play.
Do you know what you have to offer? Are you willing to lay it on the table?
If you don’t know what makes you unique or talented, find out. Discover your innate talents.
If you do, don’t be afraid to show others what you can do. The more you display your talents, the more people will know what you have to offer.
4. Jett:
It’s your job to figure it out.
The Vineland Thorns had struggled for years to be a performing team. The lack of progression frustrated the players and fans. Some fans flopped to other teams.
As the Thorns’ losing streak grew, Jett became increasingly frustrated. After one loss, Jett went to find Flo. Where does she find Flo?
Flo is relaxing in a bath. She had just had her hooves done (think a manicure).
Jett told Flo she was done losing. The streak was breaking her.
As Flo pushed back, Jett called her out. Jett told Flo that figuring out how to break the losing streak was on the owner’s shoulders.
Ouch.
Jett’s words were harsh. Yet they were true.
It’s up to the owners and leadership of organizations to figure out why things aren’t working. It’s their job to find ways to get things done.
What do you need to figure out today?
5. Our most embarrassing moments can be the catalyst for something new:
Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre) is the star player for the Lava Courts Magma. He heads to the Cage and challenges anyone and everyone there. He wants to show them how good he is.
After humiliating everyone who stepped up, Will throws himself into the court. He will challenge Mane.
Will did a great job, scoring multiple baskets until Mane got hold of the ball. Then, he got decimated.
Will walked away in disgrace. He let those around him down. Or did he?
Video of the match went viral. Flo viewed the video. She offered him a spot on the Thorns.
What Will thought was humiliating turned into the opportunity he always dreamed of.
We all have missteps and mistakes. Some we never want to relive.
However, what if you looked at your setback as a comeback?
Your worst moments don’t have to define you. In fact, those moments could be what propel you into greatness.
Don’t think a bad moment is the end. It’s the start of something new.
6. Coach Dennis Cooper (Patton Oswalt):
Just study the playbook, kid.
Will had his first game with the Thorns. He asks Coach Cooper if he’ll get to play. Coach responds, “Just read the playbook.”
While Coach’s dismissal of Will wasn’t right, it helped Will learn the Thorns’ playbook. He understands what routes and plays to make.
What was meant to distract him ended up helping him.
When’s the last time you studied a leadership playbook? It could be Reel Leadership, a John Maxwell book, or another leadership book that lays out how to lead well.
Pick up a leadership playbook. Study the leadership playbook.
The more you do, the more you’ll learn about leadership.
7. As new leaders emerge, you may struggle with passing the leadership baton:
Jett was ejected from one of the roarball games. Will had to step in to fill her vacant spot.
In his first game, Will scored the game-winning point. He became an instant sensation. A small winning the game! Who would have thought?
Jett felt Will was stealing her thunder. She would soon be a washed-up former roarball star. At one point, Flo even told Jett that her promo was now becoming a team promo video.
That stung Jett. Having to share the promo underscored that her time as a star player was coming to an end.
We can see scenes like this and think the character is being selfish. Maybe they are. I know it highlights something else.
Leadership transitions are hard.
We get so caught up in the limelight, the titles, the respect that when it’s time to pass the leadership baton, we can be hesitant to do so. We feel as if we’re losing a part of ourselves.
There’s something we all need to understand. Our titles and positions are only temporary. If we’re willing to help the next generation of leaders emerge, we can be there for them.
Be a leader who encourages new leaders.
8. Louise:
You’re not just going to play roarball. You’re going to change the game.
In a flashback scene, we see Will and his mom at his birthday party. He has a giant birthday pie in front of him. There are candles. There is a sense of love.
His mom tells him to blow out the candles and make a wish. His wish was to play the game.
Cool, right? Big vision. Right?
What if he could go bigger? His mom believed he wouldn’t just play the game. She believed Will would change the game.
Whoa, that’s mindblowing. Right?
Guess what, you have the same opportunity. You won’t just lead your organization; you’re going to change it.
Find ways to make an impact, to make a change. You can do it. I believe in you.
9. Know the strengths of your team members:
Coach Cooper recognized his team’s strengths. He started listing them so each member knew what he saw in them.
- Archie Everhardt (David Harbour) was a protector
- Lenny Williamson (Stephen Curry) was willing to stick his neck out for his team
- Olivia Burke (Nicola Coughlan) and what was holding her back
Leaders get to know their team. They can see who they are. They can see what they do. And they’re willing to let them know.
Don’t be afraid to remind your team members of what they do well. Your people need a reminder.
10. It’s easy to forget the past:
Mane injured Jett in the final game of the championship. Everyone thought the game was over. There was no way the Thorns could win without Jett.
But they forgot what happened in the past, the recent past.
Jett had been ejected from the game. Will stepped in and won.
Could history repeat itself? Could something different happen?
The Thorns wound up winning, though it was with Jett’s help. She stepped in, injured and hurting.
But… the past was a predictor of the future.
It’s so easy to forget what has happened. Organizations move at the speed of light.
Don’t forget what’s happened in the past. The past can be a great indicator of the future.
