In Pursuit of Happyness
September 28th, 2007No, that’s not a spelling error above. Some of you recognize it as the title of a great American movie, starring Will Smith. There’s a message in there for managers, but I daresay many of us missed it.
I was having dinner recently with a group of client managers, and someone mentioned how much they liked Mr. Smith’s acting, and many of us agreed. Several said they liked him in Independence Day, and then someone piped up that they had just seen In Pursuit of Happyness, and really enjoyed it. I completely agreed - I loved it - but my take on it was different.
If you haven’t seen it, I’m not giving anything away by saying that the plot is that Mr. Smith is struggling to make ends meet as a salesman, and through a series of unfortunate events, his wife leaves him, and he is evicted, and becomes homeless - all while caring for his young son.
I assure you, it is heartwrenching. What he goes through to maintain his dignity, to keep his son fed, to be fair to others…it’s impressive. You can feel him on the edge of sanity, and on the edge of keeping his self esteem, and on the edge of society. He sleeps at least one night in a subway bathroom.
With his son.
In a turn of fate, Mr. Smith’s character creates an opportunity to join an internship program at a large stock brokerage, and is ecstatic about it…until he discovers that THIS internship comes with no pay.
And his efforts to stay out of true despair and misery continue.
It’s a wonderful uplifting story.
And during the whole time at the big brokerage house, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HE IS GOING THROUGH.
No one asks. No one helps. No one meets with him.
No one cares. Too busy with their own stuff, with getting ahead. Too busy being selfish and self-interested.
Oh, and did I mention it’s a true story? Mr. Smith plays the part of Chris Gardner, now a VERY successful owner of his own financial firm.
And why was my take different? Frankly, while everyone else was cheering for Mr. Smith, I was screaming at his bosses.
His selfish, self-interested, ladder-climbing, profit-seeking managers.
You better be doing your one on ones, and spending time asking your folks how they’re doing.
They may be sleeping in a shelter.
How would that make you feel?
Wanna get screamed at?
it’s good to be back.
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September 28th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Manager Tools…
Andrew wrote a few weeks ago about a conference he attended by a pair of guys who have a website loaded……
September 28th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Mark-
Well said and beautifully written.
On behalf of the M-T community, welcome back!
Allie
September 28th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Allie-
Never has more been said in fewer words:
Thank You.
Mark
September 28th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Hi Mark,
it’s funny, I was just thinking this afternoon what a great actor Will Smith is.
I’ve seen the movie a while ago and I remember everything now that you mentioned it. The biggest careers in my industry (pop music) are actually quite similar to the story Will Smith’ character in the movie goes through.
Put characters like these together with a “manager tools”-educated manager and you got a world class team, whatever field you work in.
Thanks for this! And BTW, thanks for everything you’re doing. Your knowledge makes all the difference for me and my team.
Best,
Marc (happy premium subscriber)
PS: BTW, can’t wait for the European MT Conference!!!
September 28th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Marc-
See you in Amsterdam 29 and 30 January, and thanks for the kind words.
Mark
September 28th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Mark,
Thanks for promoting a compassionate vision.
John
September 29th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Thanks for eveything.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:44 am
So often, when I tell a friend or colleague about my new passion for this thing called “Manager Tools,” they look at me like I’ve grown a new head. I’m not exactly the corporate type, not much motivated by money, certainly not interested in profit-making enterprise. THIS is where I’ll tell them to look if they need an explanation. I’ve learned that I am a manager, because management is about caring for your people. What loftier ambition could a person have?
September 29th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
so impressive.
September 30th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Rthibode-
Well said, and glad you’re here.
Mark
September 30th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Hi Mark,
Love your show and your comments on the movie. I recently ran into this very situation. I am a supervisor in an automotive manufacturing company and just received a temporary worker from an agency. I was talking to him and found out that he was staying in a shelter nearby. The real problem is that we work 3rd shift and the shelter is now unavailable to him. He said he was sleeping under pavilions at local parks and anywhere he could. He was receiving everything he needed from the local United Way, but sleeping was an issue.
I contacted HR first thing in the morning. I asked the HR manager to be discrete and told him the circumstances. I was curious if we had any company recourses. He said he would help out. That night I arrived at work to find an email that told me to tell him to call 211. This is a local service to help with non-emergency situations.
What a let down! I could not believe this is what I received and he could sleep at night. Did I mention he called this “help”! Appalled I called around to see if anything could be done. I found a resource that would get him shelter for about 5 hours of sleep.
I later found out the HR manager called the temporary agency and told them the information I gave him and told the agency to have him call 211. Thankfully two days later he told me he and a friend of his from the shelter were renting a one bedroom place locally. I am going shopping this week to get him some necessities.
This is the kind of HR work that kills me. I am 29 have a family and know that this is not the place to work long term. I have put myself through college going every Saturday for nearly 4 years to finish my degree. I will immediately go to B-school and try to further my management career in hopes that I can put myself in a position to make sure things like this are handled properly.
Mark & Mike your advice is top notch I hope to repay it or at least pay it forward, some day!
Thanks,
Kevin
September 30th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Mark,
I’ve got two direct reports with serious health problems. Last week my mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and we have begun the long goodbye.
So, as both a manager, and a direct report, I can say your post is right on target.
This is just one reason why I continue to recommend you to anyone interested in management.
G
October 1st, 2007 at 12:27 am
Glenn-
Many thanks!
Mark
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 am
Kevin-
Pay it forward. Give it to that guy.
My motto: giving and forgiving.
Mark
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Kevin-
Keep up the good work! As a child, I was taught to “pay it forward” by my dear grandfather. He was loved by all. Thanks for sharing!
Allie
“You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.” - Audrey Hepburn
October 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Mark, I agree, fantastic movie, fantastic acting. I actually was expecting Will Smith to receive an academy award. I was disappointed he did not receive one.
Keep up the great job!
Thank you
Andrea
January 9th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
The title of the film is actually “The Pursuit of Happyness” … (not “In”)