What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership
Movies can be an amazing source of insight and inspiration. They fill our hearts and heads with heroes, stories, songs, and scenes we can draw from.
Maybe you think of the theme song to Rocky when you work out. Maybe you think of “waxing the car” or “painting the fence” while you master your craft. What’s important is that you choose the stories, scenes or heroes that serve you.
Here is a sampling of 16 movies and what they can teach us about life and leadership:
- 300 – Play to your strengths.
- The Bad News Bears – The right coach can turnaround any team, from worst, to first. It’s about the journey and the destination.
- Kung Fu Panda – The right team can kick arse. You’re the sum of your network (remember the Furious Five.)
- Peaceful Warrior – Make every move about the move. A warrior acts, only a fool reacts. Don’t become a victim of your own limiting beliefs. The people that are the hardest to love, probably need it the most. Want more? … check out Lessons Learned from Peaceful Warrior.
- Surf’s Up – Find a way, because that’s what winners do. When there’s no wave to ride, make one.
- The 13th Warrior – Your competition always has a weakness.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Win the heart, the mind follows. Find the best in everyone.
- Star Wars – Keep your ego in check (and carry a big light saber.) Your intuition can serve you well if you master it.
- Raiders of the Lost Ark – Make every project an adventure.
- The Lord of the Rings – The best heroes can come from the strangest places (who would have thought to check the shire?)
- Rear Window – Use your emotions and intuition as input. Check your facts.
- The Wizard of Oz – You had it in you all along. You just needed somebody else to bring it out.
- Slumdog Millionaire – Smart and gets results can change your lot in life.
- Bonnie and Clyde – Passion + smarts makes for a great team.
- Rocky – You gotta have heart. Sometimes it’s about going the distance.
- It’s a Wonderful Life – Know your value and what you bring to the table.
What movies do you draw from?
Photo by cliff1066.
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hi,
Its really nice post, you can add movie “Cast Away” too, as its shows “Don’t loose hope in anywhere in any situation”. It should be in the list anyways others are great.
Hook – story of re-discovery but one of my favorite lines is near the end when Peter is flying off he is barking out last minute advise…look after anything that is smaller than you. Too Small is advised to look after Neverbugs.
Pay It Forward – Trevor practices entitlement (the good kind) when he asks Mr. Simonet why he gets to challenge them.
Very good post – I love it. Thank you.
I add this one to your list
Cool Runnings – Stay passionate all the way and be yourself.
Great post. As an author the U.N.I.Q.U.E. series of fable story leadership books, I spend my gramma days with my two year old granddaughter watching her favorite movies.
Her favorite in the moment is “Rudoloph the Red-nosed Reindeer” – message, even misfits can lead the way in times of need.
Another of her favorites is Charlotte’s Web – message, we are all unique and contribute to the team of humanity in some way. We just need friends who can support us.
Point – I hadn’t watch children’s movies in years until my gramma days. I was amazed at how many of the children’s classics have life affirming leadership lessons.
i see the all of movies and l knew what is the result comeback in our life. its truly mindblowing and enthusiastic .thank you i will always keep the list.
Hi JD,
Great list you have there… Makes me want to watch them again…
I think the Widowmaker is also a good film about leadership in troubled times…
I must be the oldest one to respond because one of my favorite movies has always been “To Kill A Mockingbird” with Gregory Peck. I saw it as a child but was old enough to intuitively know that “Adicus” had character and did what was right in the face of opposition. After I became an adult & saw it again, I understood even more about it. Adicus stood for what was right & didn’t back down, but he knew how to disagree without being disagreeable. It was about the wrongness of prejudice, how small-mindedness gets in the way of truth. He taught his children by example. Every time I see it, I think I learn something new. It’s a beautiful story. I hope some of you younger people find it available somewhere.
I would like to add the movie ” Remembering the Titans”. I saw this movie in one of my leadership training programs held in our Organization. It tells how a leader should act during tough situation. Thanks a lot for this post:)
All is well,
GK
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s posts all the time along with a cup of coffee.