When you think about the world of business and corporations, which movies come to mind? Do you hear Gordon Gecko’s “greed is good” line, or do you think about the sell-out aspect of “The Social Network“?
Movies reflect life, and a big part of life for many people is about climbing the corporate ladder. Even films that are based on true stories can take creative liberties. But, movies can end up teaching us a lot about the corporate world and climbing to the top. That includes the good, the bad, and the ugly (no, not the movie—save that for another time).
Let’s take a look at some of those films and the different ways in which they portray corporate industries and the people involved in them. Are the lessons and stories realistic? What can you learn from movies like these?
You Can Achieve Your Dreams
Will Smith and Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, “Pursuit of Happyness,” Columbia Pictures 2006.
Everyone loves a feel-good story, especially when it’s based on truth. That’s why “The Pursuit of Happyness“ was so successful. It told the real-life story of Chris Gardner, a man so down on his luck that he eventually becomes homeless. One heart-wrenching scene even shows him sleeping with his son in a public bathroom. It was Gardner’s hard work, determination, natural abilities, and the connections he made along the way that allowed him to climb the ladder and find success.
1996’s “Jerry Maguire” is another movie that showcases how you can achieve your dreams once you realize what’s important. Maguire works for a successful sports agency but has a moral epiphany about the industry. Unfortunately, he gets fired for sharing that opinion. But, he ends up living out his dreams by taking a risk as an independent agent with one athlete to his name.
It Can Be Lonely at the Top
In politics and the corporate world alike, sometimes it can be less about your skill level and more about who you know. That’s why networking has always been so important. Take a look at “The Devil Wears Prada.” There are a few life lessons that can be learned in that film, including:
- Always looking your best
- Never giving up
- Embracing change
- Saying yes to new opportunities
But, there are also some significant flaws with how the main character, Andy, handles her position at a major fashion magazine. While she might seem like a fish out of water at first, Andy quickly starts changing her attitude about things. Some of those changes are good and encourage growth. But, she also ends up alienating her friends and even her long-time boyfriend. She finds allies at work instead of in her traditional ‘circle.’ In the end, those allies within the industry can help her to grow in her career but may cause problems in her personal life.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of workers in the U.S. deal with job-related stress.”
So, is it really “who you know” in business? Many times, the answer is yes. When you’re looking for a job, it’s a good idea to include references on your resume, especially from people who are well-known within your target industry. But, don’t let who you know change who you are as a person.
Knowing When to Say No
John C. McGinley and Paul Willson, “Office Space,” Twentieth Century Fox, 1999.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of workers in the U.S. deal with job-related stress. That stress can be caused by a variety of things, but it is often linked to being overworked, underappreciated, and tied to too many different projects and obligations.
Consider the cult classic “Office Space.” The character Peter Gibbons spends the first part of the movie as a corporate ‘yes man,’ not speaking up to his boss about everything from getting reports done quickly to working extra hours. While the movie is a comedy and Gibbons’ unique experience in a hypnotherapy session changes things, there are far too many workers in the U.S. who don’t have a healthy work-life balance because they can’t say ‘no.’
On a more extreme level, think about Bob Cratchet from “A Christmas Carol.” There have been many film adaptations of this over the years. While working for Mr. Scrooge isn’t exactly a step on the corporate ladder, it’s a good example of how working too much, especially for a demanding boss, can affect your mental and physical health.
Learning to say no will help you manage your time better. If you’re not sure which things you should agree to and what you should avoid, use the following time management tips:
- Set goals for yourself
- Prioritize your tasks
- Stay organized
- Communicate effectively
As you can see, movies can teach us a lot about the workplace and climbing the corporate ladder. While some stories might be more realistic than others, all of the films here give a glimpse into corporate life, and by watching them with a different perspective, you might start to see reflections of your own corporate journey in every scene.
– by Frankie Wallace
