Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear), a college professor and part-time inventor, creates the intermittent windshield wiper. With the encouragement of his friend Gil Privick (Dermot Mulroney), Kearns presents his invention to Ford Motor Company executives. They accept his invention but do not give him either money or credit. Kearns enters into extended litigation with negative effects on himself, his marriage, and his family. The film is based on the true story about Kearns’ triumph over Ford and the large settlement in the end.
Power and Political Behavior: Bob Kearns and Ford
This scene begins as a door opens and Mack a Ford executive (Mitch Pileggi) enters the room. It follows the family driving in the rain and testing the windshield wiper system for the first time. The scene ends with Bob and Mack shaking hands. Mack says, “Excellent. This is what it’s all about, Bob. Corporate ‘can do.’” Frank Sertin (Daniel Roebuck) says, “How about that.”

1. This chapter defined power as “the ability to influence someone else.” Who has power in this film scene?
2. The chapter distinguished influence from authority. What is the example of the use of authority in the scene?
3. Which interpersonal forms of power appear in this film scene? Draw examples of your choices from the scene.