The television and movie award season has recently conncluded so there are plenty of best movie lists out there. It can be a great time to enjoy some good cinema by either curling up on the couch with your favorite movie snack (one or our favorites is freshly popped popcorn and with some peanut butter m&ms thrown in) or going to a theater to immerse yourself in the group experience (the popcorn may not be as good, but peanut butter m&ms cover a multitude of sins).
At G2 Solutions we are always looking for creative ways to inspire and instruct our clients. This movie award season got us thinking:
Are there movies out there that offer lessons that could be inspirational to leaders?
So let the lights dim and the curtain open as G2 Solutions rolls out its best picture list. Movies that are enjoyable and provide insights for the business world.
Enjoy!
We start with two ancient movies that are played around the holidays. They have similar themes told in very different ways.
It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of a very good man, George Bailey who doesn’t recognize the benefit he has provided for his family and community. Through a celestial turn of events he is shown what life would have been if he hadn’t been around. His business practices are full of integrity and compassion and are contrasted with those of an evil banker who almost causes George’s demise.
White Christmas is a classic musical telling of a “show must go on” story. It centers around Bob Wallace and Phil Davis who coordinate the efforts of people across the country to save the struggling business of a beloved leader. It focuses on concepts of loyalty, creativity and ingenuity. It also highlights what can go wrong if communication gets off track.
Coming to much more recent history we have a few other suggestions:
Sports movies often offer a variety of analogies for business. One movie that also balances social justice themes is Remember the Titans. It tells the true story of Coach Herman Boone who in 1971 took over the football program in Alexandria, Virginia, facing intense racism. In addition to providing an example of how to stand up to adversity with integrity, it is a great reflection on how to bridge divides, lead with transparency, stay focused on the goal and do what is best for the team.
A movie that shows different business approaches that are both steeped in tradition and passion is The 100 Foot Journey. It tells the story of an immigrant family who sets up an Indian restaurant right across the street from a Michelin Star French restaurant. The themes of devotion to tradition, high standards of excellence, the importance of adaptation and innovation as well as the positive impact of collaboration are all set within the culinary world. It makes our mouths water just to think about it!
We know how busy business leaders are, so watching a full length movie may be asking a lot. We have something for you that is only about a half hour long. The 2024 Academy Award nominated short documentary, The Barber of Little Rock. The story centers on the efforts of Arlo Washington who is working within his community to achieve economic equity. By leveraging the success of one of his businesses, he is able to provide opportunities that have a positive ripple effect throughout his neighborhood. The power of small interventions is central to this movie along with the importance of meeting people where they are, accurately assessing needs, effectively providing resources and understanding institutional barriers to success.
There is no business like show business to inspire us! Hope you will take some time to enjoy these great films.
Photo from: gettyimages