Major Payne

In the movie "Major Payne", the titular character has served in the Marines and is a trained killing machine. He has learned through his training that a leader needs to be forceful and uncompromising. As a result, when Major Payne must whip an abysmal JROTC troop into shape, he has a hard time being a good leader that inspires teamwork. His leadership style is Autocratic and Exploitative Authoritative. He tells the troop what to do and if they do not do it or disrespect his authority, he severely punishes them. However, by the end of the movie, Major Payne has changed slightly to Benevolent Authoritative. While less harsh to the troop, he recognizes that the military needs strong leadership and leaders that command respect, while not trying to kill their subordinates. He realizes when he is pushing them too hard. His relationship with Miss Walburn convinced him to changes his leadership style. The book that she gave him also influenced his change.  The changes that he made are effective because the troop is now willing to follow his orders and respect his for his leadership.

In the beginning of the movie, Cadet Alex Stone has a Laissez-faire leadership style and a devil-may-care attitude. He does not care what the other boys do and does only what he wants to. He disrespects Payne’s authority. When Major Payne promotes him to squad leader, Alex does not want to take up that responsibility. He does not want to be the one responsible for their defeat in the Virginia Military Games. Eventually, he learns to shoulder the responsibility and develops a Democratic/Consultative leadership style. He is able to inspire the rest of the troop to go to the Games and do their best.