Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Chang Can Dunk

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Chang Can Dunk is a Disney+ exclusive movie about a young Asian-American teen who longs to get the girl, defeat the school bully, and maybe play some basketball. While geared toward the younger crowd, Chang Can Dunk is a fun experience.

Chang (Bloom Li) is a 5’8″ student in high school. His rival and former friend, Matt (Chase Liefeld, son of the legendary comic book artist and my good friend (Rob’s words on his WhatNot stream) Rob Liefeld), are at each other’s throats over basketball and a girl, Kristy (Zoe Renee). Their rivalry becomes real when Chang tells Matt that he will be able to dunk within ten weeks.

Bloom Li as Chang in Chang Can Dunk. Making a dunk.

This is a challenge. He’s short, not very good, and isn’t motivated to do much of anything. Throughout the movie, we’re reminded that Chang doesn’t stick with things.

Two Sides Of The Same Coin – Fear and Faith

There’s two sides to every coin. And yet it’s the same coin.

Whether it’s face up or tails up. The coin doesn’t change.

Fear and faith work in the same way.

Fear is one side of the coin. Faith is the other.

coin

Image by Krystal T

You’re probably asking yourself “What’s Joseph talking about? Fear and faith are similar? He’s lost his mind!”

Hear me out though. They’re really similar. Just different sides of the same coin.

Fear is the feeling something bad will happen. In the future.

Faith is something good will happen. In the future.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

Fear is the negative side of faith. For both you’re expecting something, good or bad, to happen in the future.

Fear is tails up. You’re hiding your head as you anticipate:

  • Bad news

Using Obstacles To Become Great

There are days I stumble through life, cursing the obstacles I face. The truck not starting, trouble fixing a computer, or a struggling friendship.

They seem like they’re an obstacle in my way that I could do without.

I’m learning instead of seeing these situations as trouble, I need to use these obstacles to become great. And so do you.

Michael Phelps recently made history by winning the most medals in the Olympics. He, as of 2012, is the most decorated Olympian in history.

He achieved this through hard work and overcoming obstacles. Some of those obstacles were intentionally placed by his swim coach Bob Bowman.

Bob would intentionally put obstacles in the way of Michael Phelps.

Could you imagine this happening to you as a swimmer?