Leadership lessons from pop culture
The BIG Takeaway™
newsletter
June 20, 2022

​What leaders can learn from TV, sports and movies this week

Hello current and aspiring leaders!

What a great week in pop culture. Here are some of the highlights.
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  • One: Netflix announced a "Squid Game" reality show.
    Personally I can't believe the Food Network didn't jump on this idea sooner with a calamari competition. Think about it. Guy Fieri going around, talking it up with contestants; hate to see what happens to the losers.

  • Two: WNBA legend Sue Bird announced her retirement.
    As we approach the 50th anniversary of Title IX on June 23, Bird is a reminder of just how important that piece of legislation was. Watch these highlights and be inspired.

  • Three: The Golden State Warriors won the NBA title.
    As a Celtics fan this was a disappointment. However, watching Steph Curry glide past defenders and hit nothing but net from 30 feet was awe-inspiring. Made me think of Lamar Mundane. "Slam dunks are tough. But when a 35-footer comes raining out of the sky it will wire you up."

  • Speaking of the NBA, I am going to use the new Adam Sandler movie "Hustle" to discuss a key leadership trait: humble confidence.

    Side note: Saw this from Boston Globe sports writer Dan Shaughnessy on Twitter: "Just watched Adam Sandler's "Hustle.'' Fine hoop film. Many cameos by real NBA ballers. One huge flaw: star of film [wears] wearing no. 22 [as a Celtic] which is RETIRED in honor of Easy Ed Macauley. As bad as Shoeless Joe Jackson batting righty in Field of Dreams."

    Good eye, Dan!
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Let's go.

Rich Trombetta
@trombettarich
June 20, 2022
This week's BIG Takeaway:
Have humble confidence 
Video: YouTube
"It's you against you"
The subtle line between confidence and arrogance

The context: Adam Sandler plays an NBA scout for the Philadelphia 76ers in the movie "Hustle."

  • On a trip to Spain he discovers Bo Cruz, a player with unbelievable talent. Sandler convinces Cruz to come to the United States and try out for the pros.

  • Cruz has the skills but often has trouble with emotions and self-confidence. He gets down on himself, lets other players get in his head and is tempted to quit.

  • In this clip Sandler gives him a cheesy pep talk.
    "It's you against you out there. When you walk on the court you have to think 'I am the best guy out there.'"

    Bonus quote: "Obsession is going to beat talent every time."

What we can learn: You have to believe you can make every "shot" you take - and be willing to learn from the times you miss.
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  • If you don't think you can make the sale, why visit the client? Why give a presentation if you think it will go poorly? Why propose a solution if you think it will be wrong?

  • This isn't about arrogance, it's about confidence. If you don't believe you can "make the shot," then why should your boss or anyone on your team think you can? 

    NOTE: Let's be clear - this isn't about a bunch of pharma bros doing awful things or sales folks pounding their chests in "Boiler Room." That is arrogance.

  • Confidence is contagious.  As a leader you set the tone. If you demonstrate self-confidence in yourself AND YOUR TEAM then this mindset will spread like wildfire in your culture.

My take: Learn from what I call my "meeting a dog" theory.

  • If you are nervous when you approach a dog, the dog senses it. Now you are both nervous and the result is often a lot of barking and growling.
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  • If you are humble ("hello nice puppy") yet confident (you stand and trust the dog), the dog senses that too. The result is usually some sniffs and a more peaceful encounter.

  • Living your career in a state of self-doubt is like meeting a dog when you are nervous. Just substitute the dog barking and growling with a displeased client or boss barking or growling; it's unpleasant.


To summarize:
Believe you can make every shot...and learn from the ones you miss.
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  • Think about this quote: If you expect the best and get the worst, then you are disappointed once. If you expect the worst and get the worst, and you are disappointed TWICE.
Let's put this into action
Image: Pixels
👉​What you can do on your own: 
📢​ What you can do with others:
Did you know we can design a custom class or program based on topics like the one above? Click the button to learn more.

Before we end here's our weekly grab bag of quick links
😁 Smile: Here is our weekly dog video. Enjoy!

📺 Watch: "Atlanta" on FX, the NBA draft on Thursday, June 23 and "Ms. Marvel" on Disney+

🎓 Learn: Follow leading organization development guru Patrick Lencioni from The Table Group.
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🌷 Relax:  Watch this live kitten cam.
That's all for now

​Thanks for reading and please remember:
  • We archive our stories and put them here for the world to read so feel free to have a look.
  • If you have any ideas or feedback Contact me with your thoughts.
  • We can create custom newsletters​ and training sessions on the topics we write about.
Rich Trombetta
​@trombettarich

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