Blockbuster Business: What movies and TV shows can teach us about winning in business?
Business is often referred to as both an art and a science. The science is in the data- the numbers, the metrics, the margins. But the art of business is nuanced and broad- It's the language of human ambition, intuition, resilience, and all the emotions that drive us. And to learn this language, we must study the narratives of human experience. We find it in the stories we love, the characters we admire, and the fictional worlds we escape into.
For me, the most powerful source of these narratives is Cinema. Cinema is the defining art of the Modern era. It combines many impactful arts like photography, storytelling, music, design, and drama. As someone who watches movies actively, I'm always looking for a lesson in a story. Long before I started my first job, watching The Office gave me unexpected lessons in leadership, negotiation tactics, and team dynamics. The chaotic world of Dunder Mifflin made me realise that powerful business insights are not limited to textbooks; they might be lurking around in the stories we watch, waiting to be discovered. This openness to learning from unexpected sources can inspire you to look at your experiences in a new light.
There are many films that I find aspirational and motivating as a business student. The Founder is a movie on scaling and innovation. However, it really struck me because it portrays the difference between an innovator, who creates the product, and an entrepreneur, who builds a system around it. The story of Moneyball is a case study on leveraging data and analytics to find a competitive edge, proving that data is indeed a form of gold in the modern world. The Social Network, which for me feels like a modern-day bible on tech-entrepreneurship and innovation, is also a raw depiction of ruthless partnership disputes. Mad Men is a show that reinforces the harsh truth that branding isn't about logos; it's about manipulating emotion and desire.
These iconic stories are a great starting point, but I believe more universal and profound lessons are found in stories that aren't explicitly about business.
The Pursuit of Happyness is one such film to which I feel most personally attached. The relentless perseverance of Chris Gardner is a moving lesson in resilience that no motivational seminar can match. The Devil Wears Prada is a fun movie, but Miranda Priestly has some personal branding lessons to teach. Her character is an example of how your reputation isn't just what you do, but your degree of excellence. I truly admire the biopic Padman for proving that a powerful cause is the strongest foundation for innovation. It depicts how entrepreneurship can have a social impact when driven by a genuine desire to create change.
Furthermore, we can directly contrast philosophies in movies and TV shows. Ted Lasso is a compelling case of how empathetic leadership, which values understanding and compassion, leads to a team's success. This is a crucial lesson in business, as it shows that a leader's ability to connect with their team on a human level can significantly impact performance. Conversely, Succession is a case of toxic leadership, showcasing that ego and hunger for power will inevitably corrode even the most powerful empire from within.
Of course, all these narratives have been dramatized for entertainment. The key is to analyse its human behavioural aspects, experiment with those principles, and apply them in real-world scenarios.
The takeaway here is not just to watch more movies but to watch them differently. Watch them critically to understand human dynamics. Because business, at its heart, is a play of people, their ambition, emotions, and conflict. So, remember to look beyond the textbook and into the narratives sometimes. The entertainment is guaranteed, but the hidden business insights are a bonus.
About the author,
Padma Poojitha Movva
I’m a keen observer with a deep love for learning, storytelling and movies. I write to explore my feelings, learn new things, and grow into a better person.
