I had a privilege of seeing a movie on Netflix a few days ago. It’s titled “as the crow flies”. It’s a must watch. It has a setting of a corporate world. It’s based on career path of the journalism/mainstream media career. I believe however that it also depicts what’s obtainable in every organization. And here are some of the top lessons I learnt from the movie based on season 1 & 2:
1. Dont burn bridges/Build solid relationships – In the corporate world, your skillsets are simply just not enough. You maybe very good at work – understand technicalities, have the ability to provide solutions to nutting problems, very creative and innovative, however you must also remember that you can’t treat people (others) as thrash. The relationships you build will surely come through for you or even your children at a time you don’t expect. Despite Asli’s onerous behaviour towards Lale, Lale still acted maturely and called in a favour for her during the battery charge by her assistant. This is solely based on the good relationship Lale had kept in the past with the attorney.
You can also see over and over how Lale built solid relationships with co-workers. Her demeanor, attitude, work-ethics are just top notch. She values and respects everyone including the security, driver, cleaner. When Lale’ was in a fix, she could easily borrow a security’s phone to confirm the facts of the matter. The way up is truly down.
You can’t buy experience – If I have a million megaphone to echo this, it won’t be as loud as I’d love it but it’s a way to start. Skills can’t, money can’t, brilliance can’t, nothing can! You’d have to go through the ranks. It’s a step at a time. I love the way ID Cabasa (Olumide Ogunade) puts it, experience is the comb that life gives to you after you’ve lost your hair.
Asli was innovative and dynamic, immediately she got on board and was feeling out of steam and it felt like she was boring her audience, she rejuvenated the program with live trends. And her ratings went through the roof. However, when the ratings dropped significantly and huge turbulence hit her personally and professionally, experience was what was needed to sail, which she lacked.
2. Truth respects time – You can package lies for a long time. In fact, you can brand it and sell it for 7billion people in the world but surely one day, truth comes out and sets all free. Prof. Solomon 😄, in Proverbs 23:23, says ‘buy the truth and sell it not’. As professionals, we must devoid ourselves of all form of lies whether it’s with manipulating figures, twisting facts, living fake lives, living above your means etc
Asli was all-time mischievous, crooked, and nocuous. She loved it and lived a life full of lies as a lifestyle both personally and professionally. As expected, the day of reckoning came, and the truth could no longer be hidden, she was mangled beyond recognition, disgraced and humiliated without pity.
3. Confirm your facts – This resonates more to me, being a finance person dealing with figures each day, there’s a need to always confirm over and over your figures as you input them in a journal to pass, an excel sheet, a bank instruction etc. Be your own supervisor really.
Despite the pressure from Kenan (who was like a supervisor to Lale at that point) to publish a story whose veracity hasn’t been confirmed, Lale was unperturbed, she took her time to get her facts first.
4. Stay mentored – “I don’t feel seen. I’m not appreciated” etc, If you’re staying mentored, learning, making mistakes, improving, building more skills, writing exams, don’t worry, your time will definitely come for you to shine, the stage is getting set.
It’s funny how Yusuf got a chance at redemption and began learning and being mentored by Lale. I’d also say this to senior colleagues in the corporate world, don’t wait for someone to ask to be mentored, if you see a bright lurking star in your corner, please reach out. Lale didn’t hesitate to guide Yusuf properly and after seeing him grown, she gave him a shot at the big stage. What a Queen!
P.S. If you’re in a toxic organization and the work culture isn’t just it, please learn as much on the job and make your moves.
5. Forgiveness heals the soul – I’m sure by now you’re already falling in love with the character Lale, she was almost spotless😄 Truth is Lale sees the best in every person she meets. Despite the betrayals, hurts, backstabbing she recieved fromher closest associates, and friends, she just seems to forgive in advance. I believe forgiveness does something special to the soul. There’s a relief and ease that comes with a life that has pre-ordered several cartons of forgiveness. Heal guys! Free yourself from that hurt, you need it even for your mental balance and overall well-being
6. Don’t lose sight of family – I almost missed this out, it was a subtle one. You’d need to watch intently to get this. Lale was a Queen in the Journalism world. A lion like the narrator mentioned. And to think that she created specifically a one -hour lunch break with her children, with no distraction from work. So what happened with the relationship with her husband? She drifted quietly and unnoticeably from him. She couldn’t get Kenan out of her head. Morally, she fought not to cheat on her husband. But emotionally, she was totally disconnected from him.
This may seem to be the most difficult part of staying at the top, and by extension working in a corporate environment. I pray you find the grace to prioritize each member of your family. And strength to recover for those currently drifting apart. And wisdom to navigate for those who have ‘lost their families’ in the journey.
I just might add that it really could be lonely at the top, so try and get to the top with you and yours.
Let me know if you’ve seen this movie, the other lessons you got from it, and your comments on my lessons. And if you’d like for me to do a writeup on the season 3 (Just started watching) .
BTW, I did a writeup like this on “suits” a while back, you can read it here.
It’s so good to be here after a long long time!
#EminentGoldCares
#workplacehacks #lessonsfrommovies #corporateworldjuggle #leadership #personaldevelopment
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