Though perhaps not the most traditional of blog posts or topics, I would argue that the team Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona in the movie Shrek exemplify some of the strongest leadership qualities as defined by “team leadership”. This group is defined as a “team” by definition. They have the singular goal of returning to Duloc safely for most of the movie, which leads them to be considered a team rather than simply a group or collection of individuals. “Teams” are more interdependent. The small size of the group means that it’s likely that leadership would be shared amongst the group, which is exactly what happens (PSU, 2019). Especially between Fiona and Shrek, the leadership is divided depending on the situation and their individual strengths.
I would argue that this particular team goes through the stages of development as defined by Tuckman (PSU, 2019). Firstly, the group is formed. That goes without saying, though the group came together in a unique sort of way with Shrek and Donkey crashing through Princess Fiona’s castle. Secondly, they exemplify storming very well. Storming is typically characterized by group conflict, as seen early on in the film, while deciding how to complete the task of returning to Duloc. As the romance between Shrek and Fiona seems to develop, norming is seen with the emergence of the more calm work towards a goal.
I would argue that performing is reached at towards the beginning of the film, with the more calm traveling towards Duloc by the team. Performing is when the members are all performing interdependent roles, which definitely is seen in the humorous cooking and camping scenes. I would also argue that the group temporarily adjourns when Lord Farquaad takes Princess Fiona away with the goal of marriage. At this point, the goal is technically complete of reading Duloc, though the method wasn’t as planned.
If the team is to be judged by their accomplishment of a goal, I would say that they technically did get what they wanted at the midpoint of the film when Lord Farquaad collects Princess Fiona. For a team to be effective in completing their goal, the goal must be clear. Everyone must understand what it is. The team must be structured to accomplish the goal, which I would say the team of Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona was structured to utilize their strengths in an interdependent way. They must be unified in commitment to the group, and the team must have trust of one another (PSU, 2019). Eventually, they get to this point.
Where I could see the team potentially lacking is in the character of Donkey. As cruel as it sounds, and though he is comic relief, he is not the most competent team member. He doesn’t add much in the goal of getting to Duloc or rescuing Princess Fiona, even. I would say that he is even a form of loafing, in which someone takes advantage of the group’s effort. Donkey is really clinging to Shrek for his own gain, and isn’t adding anything. That being said, Donkey is still a loveable character, and the movie Shrek would not be complete without him! Though he doesn’t add anything to the group from a leadership standpoint.
Ultimately, Shrek and Fiona make the bulk of the team, with Donkey tagging along. Their group has the goal of reaching Duloc for Shrek to get his swamp back, and for Fiona to marry a lord or prince. They follow along with the steps of team leadership, and eventually do reach their goals (though we learn that this isn’t what they truly want). That being said, Shrek, Fiona, and even Donkey make up an example of strong team leadership.
Pennsylvania State University. (2019). Lesson 9: Team Leadership. Retrieved from PSYCH 485: Leadership in Work Settings: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/sp19/21911–17103/content/09_lesson/printlesson.html
tim5193 says
What a fun analysis idea! First, I thought you did a great in-depth analysis of why this qualifies as a team- their shared goal and interdependence on completing it (Northouse, 2016). Also, you drew some excellent parallels between the developmental stages (PSU WC, 2019, L. 9) and the story line. I believe “forming” (PSU WC, 2019, L. 9) was the biggest challenge because their goals weren’t always in sync. Shrek wanted to get his land back, donkey didn’t want to be captured, and Fiona was looking for her Prince. A lot of the compromise we see in the “storming” (PSU WC, 2019, L. 9) phase seemed to lead to all the characters aligning their goals to returning to Duloc, retroactively becoming a team. For example, during the forming phase, Fiona was resistant to the idea of going to meet her prince- he should make the journey to her! Later on, as they set out on the trek she is just as committed to reaching their destination, battling bandits and defending her comrades.
Thanks for sharing!
~ Toni
cbh26 says
Although I will never be able to watch Shrek the same, I did love your analysis of the main characters as a team. I see them all from a different point of view though. I do not really see them as all equal parts of a team, I think of Shrek having more power than Fiona or Donkey. I think Shrek serves with an authentic leadership role.
From the beginning Shrek is the one who had the motivation to become the leader and get things back to normal for everyone, and donkey just decided to follow along. Shrek had good intrapersonal viewpoint because he knew exactly what he wanted and was very focused on accomplishing the goal for the group of fairy tale characters. He then exemplifies a good interpersonal leadership style with how he connects with donkey, and gets him to go along with basically anything he says. Finally, Shrek’s shows his authentic leadership with his development. This development is not as easily seen through the movie but can be assumed because of how passionate he is about saving his swamp, and how it took the major event of almost losing his swamp to trigger his natural leadership (Northouse, 2016). While a truly authentic leader only really needs to achieve one of the three view points, Shrek accomplishes the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and developmental perspectives making him a genuine authentic leader (Northouse, 2016).
I do agree that donkey was there for comic relief; he does not serve much of a purpose. They make a great yin and yang team though balancing each other’s personalities out.
Northouse, P. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc