Management skills are explored using the film 'Pulp Fiction' with particular focus on the character 'The Wolf'. This is relevant to management and organisational behaviour studies.

2. Please note this lesson contains images of violence and extreme
language.
This exploration of management lessons is intended for a mature
audience only.

3. For the purposes of this lesson, a copy of Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp
Fiction” is required.
The focus of this class will surround the character of “The Wolf”.
The content for review takes places from 1hr 50mins, to 2hrs 7mins.

4. As we watch these scenes, take notes on the character displayed above,
“Winston Wolf”.
What management skills does he display?
How are these skills shown? What can we learn from him?

5. Play the movie starting at 1:50:00 until 2:07:40
Students should take notes.
Pay attention to attributes of management.
These can be both positive and negative.

6. 1:51:00: Marvin gets ‘shot in the face’… This is a problem
The task… clean it up, deal with it.
MANAGE THE PROCESS

7. 1:54:43: Bonnie, his wife, gets home in 90 mins.
This adds a time pressure element. This a new
context to be considered when managing the
event. How does this change the situation?

8. 1:55:41: People are key resource. Managing such complex
processes and events requires the utilization of
your best people and resources. Use your
people.

9. 1:56:30 At the mention of ‘The Wolf’, the mood changes.
‘The Wolf’ trades on reputation. His involvement
has a calming influence. What kind of power is
this? What kind of effect does this have? Is it
always positive/negative? Why?

10. 1:56:56: ‘The Wolf’ takes simple but effective notes when
advised of the situation. He takes names, and
simple descriptors. Why is this important? What
does this allow him to do?

11. 1:57:30: ‘The Wolf’ is calm, efficient, and succinct. He has
a natural confidence, totally assured of his ability
to get the problem solved. What is being
displayed by this? How does it impact on the
others involved?

12. 1:58:00: What style of management is being used? Is it
effective?

13. 1:59:15: We see that in the process of management, ‘The
Wolf’ does not do any of the tasks, rather he
dictates and organises. He plans, organises and
controls. Is this a legitimate style of
management?

14. 2:00:30: “If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. I
think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act
fast if you wanna get out of this. So, pretty
please... with sugar on top. Clean the f**king
car.”
DISCUSS THE ABOVE QUOTE

15. 2:06:10: “I'll drive the tainted car. Jules, you ride with me.
Vincent, you follow in my Acura. We run across
the path of any John Q. Laws, nobody does a
f**king thing unless I do it first. What did I just
say?”
DISCUSS THE ABOVE QUOTE

16. 2:07:30: How do his ‘staff’ react to him?
Has the problem been solved?
What skills lead to this resolution?
Would you work well for this type of character?
What are his best traits?
What are his worst traits?

17. case study author: Jeff Taylor
email: jeff@jefftaylor.ie
website: www.jefftaylor.ie
linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-taylor/41/993/635
contact via email for guest lectures and academic seminars
some facts and figures within the case have been altered for illustrative purposes