Sully not only shows the importance of psychological safety in a crisis, it’s also a great illustration of how cognitive biases can negatively affect our thinking. The movie recounts the real-life ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. After losing both engines from a bird strike 90 seconds after departing LaGuardia airport in… Read More »Why Sully is a great illustration of cognitive biases
Many leaders are extroverts. They make rousing speeches. They have charisma that brings followers flocking to their cause. But you don’t have to be an extrovert to be an outstanding leader. Sometimes the quiet leadership of introverts can be just as effective. Introverts have many qualities that can effectively be… Read More »Quiet leadership of introverts: Marty Baron in Spotlight
Sully recounts one of the most remarkable aviation incidents of recent times: the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. It also offers valuable insights on the importance of effective crisis communication. In January 2009, Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles were flying out of New York’s LaGuardia airport.… Read More »Crisis communication: lessons from Sully
In Le Mans 66 (also known as Ford v Ferrari), Henry Ford II arrives at his factory and shuts down the production line to address his workers. He tells them how his grandfather had an idea walking home from a shift at Edison Illumination. It was an idea, he says,… Read More »How Le Mans 66 illustrates psychological safety at work
In Coach Carter, Ken Carter accepts the basketball coach job at Richmond High School. And one of his first actions is to draw up social contracts for each of his players. “This contract states that you will maintain a 2.3 grade point average,” Carter tells them in the scene below.… Read More »How social contracts can help you stick to your goals
Sometimes we all feel a little stuck in a rut. Caught up in the treadmill of life and feeling like there’s something missing. It may seem unlikely, but perhaps Groundhog Day can help us find a way out. In The Wisdom of Groundhog Day, Paul Hannam uses the tale of… Read More »Breaking out of a rut: The Wisdom of Groundhog Day
At the end of Darkest Hour, Winston Churchill’s famous ‘We shall fight on the beaches’ speech wins Parliament’s support for continuing the fight against Hitler, and defeats Lord Halifax’s plan to sue for peace. A surprised aide turns to Halifax and asks what just happened. “He mobilised the English language,” Halifax replies despondently, “and… Read More »How Churchill mobilised the English language for battle
The Founder tells the story of McDonalds: its origins as an innovative Californian fast-food restaurant and its transformation to global phenomenon and the world’s sixth largest employer. It’s the story of Ray Kroc, the milkshake machine salesman who persuaded the McDonalds brothers, Dick and Mac, to franchise their restaurant concept before… Read More »The magic of McDonalds: five lessons from The Founder