The plot of the movie October Sky (1999) exemplifies the definition of change and change-
leadership. Given that leadership is the bringing forth of change, the movie displays a new vision that communicates direction, aligns people toward a common goal, and motivates change despite the challenges. October Sky is based on the true story of “The Rocket Boys,” from a western Virginia town called Coalwood. It was October 4, 1957. The movie begins with an announcement that the Soviet Union launched a man-made satellite into orbit called Sputnik. The Russians beat the Americans in the race to space, deemed a threat to American national security, and diminishing global influence. October Sky (1999) Sputnik becomes an external force demanding change. It opens with an American radio broadcaster calling the rocket launch “a grim new chapter in the Cold War,” and “a wave of national anxiety that is sweeping the country.” One hour and forty-one minutes of rugged coal miners busy about their business, trains, cars (Plymouths, Chevys Chryslers, Fords), railroad tracks, teens, high school football, and Rock n Roll, propels the viewers back to the American ‘50s.
The plot of the movie revolves around one teen’s response to this external influence (Sputnik), the change that results, and the growing conflicts that arise among several relationship dynamics that affect the status quo of the Coalwood community. Movie extras intentionally assert that Sputnik has spy cameras that are taking pictures of the American bases and will be dropping bombs. Another extra quip, “the Americans had better get with it.” This gives a sense of urgency to the plot of the movie – there needs to be a response to the Russians. Could that hope come from a small town like Coalwood? Homer’s leadership skills become the basis for this movie with his decision to build a rocket. At first, he tried on his own but recognized the need to apply strategic leadership. Homer then embarks on a quest for knowledge and the assembling of a team of experts (the Rocket Boys). With a coalition built, Homer and his friends align themselves with the vision to build, face numerous oppositions, be encouraged by many parties, push back on the status quo of Coalwood, and eventually realize the dream to build a rocket. The achievement of this goal will be the boys’ ticket out of Coalwood and the prevailing culture.
The main characters of the movie are Homer Hickham, and the Rocket Boys (Quentin, Roy-Lee, and O’Dell). Homer’s immediate family included his father (John), mother (Elsie), and brother (Jim). Miss Riley (high school teacher), Mr. Turner (high school principal), and Mr. Bolden (miner and welder) round out the key supporting roles. Conflict & Change-Management Coalwood is a mining town located in West Virginia. At 18 years of age, all boys were expected to join the ranks of coal miners. This was incorporated into the vision of the high school. According to Roger Ebert (1999, pp. 3-4), the coal companies owned the properties in mining towns (houses, churches, stores, schools, land) and residents were subjected to the conditions put forth by the coal companies. Upon termination, a miner and his family had to move out of the company-owned house. In the event of an injury, the children were obligated to work. As well, if the miner died, the family had about two weeks to move (usually, moving meant moving out of town). These expectations played out in the movie when Homer’s dad (John) was injured in a mining accident. Mining operations at Coalwood was on the decline, with frequent accidents. Company execs proposed laying off half the workforce. As the mine supervisor, John’s goal was to maintain and secure the livelihood of the mining town during difficult times.
Keep in mind, “the tension in the movie is not between the boys and their rocket, but between the boys and those who think that miners' sons belong down in the mines and not up in the sky” (Ebert, 1999). The conflicts of October Sky were symptoms of needed change for the residents of Coalwood. It was noticeable from the prologue that there was a need for innovation at the mine. There were conflicts between the Rocket Boys themselves, Homer and his father, Homer and his family, Homer’s mom and dad, between the high school teacher and the high school principal, Homer and the principal, and between Roy-Lee and his guardian. The plot of the movie centered around father (John) and son (Homer) exchanges about each other’s vision for the future. Kenneth Turan (1999) states that “Homer's most durable obstacle is, however, not surprising: a hard-headed, no-nonsense dad who refuses point-blank to understand what his son's passion is all about.” Homer asserts he is never going into the mines; the father mocks the efforts of the Russians going to space and uses his reward power to punish those assisting the boys and their foolish dream (e.g. Mr. Bykovsky, a mine worker, and welder). Homer confronts his dad about going to his brother’s games but showing no interest in his rocket pursuits. Also central to the plot were the exchanges between the high school principal and teacher – The principal confronts Miss Riley about encouraging Homer’s rocket pursuits, calling it “false hopes.” He makes it clear that once in a while a child may get out on a scholarship (football); beyond that, boys go to the mine. She tells him she has to believe for them.
Motivation & Influence
There was a team approach toward a preferred future for the Rocket Boys. There was consensus on present reality – boys become miners and remain in Coalwood. But after hashing it out in the woods, the boys concluded that there was a window of opportunity to get out of Coalwood. Interestingly, the movie uses subtle messages to motivate behavior change. One example is a young man driving a red sports car (convertible) with a pretty girl in the front seat (asking for directions) as they tussled over the future. Miss Riley (teacher) played an integral role in October Sky. She demonstrates the impact of teacher-leaders and their influence. She made teaching her priority, which fueled her passion for inspiring her students to believe in themselves and their abilities. As Gary Bredfeldt (2006) more aptly puts it, “leaders who recognize their function as teachers point followers to a cause greater than themselves” (p. 29). There was a steady change in positive influence coming from Miss Riley. She is introduced using a current event (Sputnik) to spur interest in the classroom, after which she quietly encourages the boys towards a greater goal. She covers for them in the cafeteria – claims they are preparing for a science fair; drives them to their first successful launch; gives Homer a book on missile design and defended the boys’ innocence when they were accused of starting the forest fires. When Homer was told of her sickness, he rode his bike to pay her a visit. During their chat, she told him that as his teacher, she believed her life would have counted for something if they continued their project, (something that meant the world to them), won the science fair, and got scholarships. She was helping him to envision life outside of Coalwood and the mine. This was referent power in play. Even during her time of affliction, she played the supportive role of mentor and coach. She was intentional – “You made other plans, I’m proud of you.”
Leadership Principles in October Sky
Leadership is a pointed influence that achieves a common goal. Kevin Cruz describes leadership as “social influence which maximizes the effort toward achieving a common goal” (week 1 presentation 1-1). Warren Bennis calls it “the ability to translate vision into reality” (week 1 presentation 1-1). In as much as Homer was a teen, he displayed a clear capacity to lead. He adopted a vision (I will build a rocket), adopted a path to achieve that goal (mobilize a team that will overcome the odds). Gary Bredfeldt calls this “moving a group from here to there” (week 1 presentation 1-1). The path was not clear at the beginning (structure), but Homer ventured down a road that would get him to a preferred future. As a risk-taker and innovative thinker, Homer executes the essential task of a leader – “to get his people from where they are to where they have not been” (Kissinger, as cited in week 1 presentation 1-1). As well, it was clear that Homer possessed a natural ability to move people through personal power. His ability to connect through relationship building and persuasion is the essence of referent power. Homer displayed change-leadership. He had a clear vision of a future, empowered his team, and together, they acquired the resources necessary to accomplish the goal. This was referent power at its best. Considering that one of the cast members at the beginning of the film quipped “The American’s had better get it together,” then the Rocket Boys change leadership contributed a large-scale change for the community of Coalwood and America’s race to space (real-life Homer Hickham became a NASA engineer). The times demanded an urgent response; Homer’s personal vision had national reach. Together, their new-found mission will be to invent a homemade rocket.
Homer was demanding change, but his father was not yet willing to embrace that change. He would need time to cope with the loss, let go of his old ideas and presumptions about his son (and family), and embrace a new reality. This was evident towards the end of the movie when he (John) finally pulled himself from his many responsibilities and attended one of the boys’ rocket launches. Homer rewarded his father by giving him the privilege of pressing the launch button (reward power). October Sky also depicted the surrender of power and power taken. The school accepted that there was another option for kids beyond a football scholarship (promoting science). The father surrenders his dream for his son and is forced to accept a new reality. As well, the father gave in to the demands of the coal miner’s strike (better compensation and compromise in working conditions). Special mention must be made of Elsie (Holmer’s mom). She was a quiet, affirming source of strength. Her life exemplified the Christian principle of submission (Eph. 5:21), which, “along with love, provides the foundation for all relationships…”(Van-Yperen, 2002, pp. 186-7). She was the balance between father and son power exchanges, and a source of comfort at home. Of course, it helped that she kept her focus by painting on a wall (her vision of a Myrtle Beach getaway). The movie ended where it began – an innovation in the skies that can be seen by everyone became a symbol of hope and change.
References
Bredfeldt, G. (2006). Great leader, great teacher: Recovering the biblical vision for leadership. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
Bredfeldt, G. (2020). The Essence of Leadership. CLED 780 Week 1-1 Video Presentation. Liberty University: Lynchburg, VA.
Bredfeldt, G. (2020). The Six Power Bases of Leadership. CLED 780 Week 7-1 Video Presentation. Liberty University: Lynchburg, VA.
Ebert, R. (1999). Movie Review: October Sky. Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/october-sky-1999
Hickam, H. H. (2000). A reflection on Rocket Boys/October Sky in the science classroom. Jr. Journal of College Science Teaching, 29 (6), 399-400. Retrieved from https://searchproquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/200357425?pq-origsite=summon
Turan, K. (1999). Movie review: 'October sky' unabashedly reaches for the stars. In an oldfashioned and touching way, the film celebrates dreams, hard work and determination. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-proquestcom.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/421520774?accountid=12085
Van-Yperen, J. (2002). Making peace: A guide to overcoming church conflict. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
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Written by Kevin Hall
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