Why “Schitts Creek” Could Be The New Leadership Primer
Written By Kim Thore
For many years when teaching leadership development, I relied on Colin Powell's leadership primer as one of the assignments for my classes and or protégés. It still holds true- there are tenants in it that can be applied to the American work environment and timeless lessons.
However, as I was preparing a deck recently a reel of Moira Rose moments popped up in my instagram feed and I paused. I watched it and then a 400 watt light bulb turned on above my head. Schitt's Creek could very well be the new leadership primer for corporate America and if you follow the navigation of Dan and Eugene Levy's brilliance you may find it a bit easier to grow, develop and attain happiness in your career. These are the six lessons you can learn about the story arc of the Rose family.
Rule #1: Don't become so closely tied to your job that it becomes your identity. Why? Because, if the job changes or goes away, it becomes personal to you. You'll focus on the wrong things. "How do you think I feel, Moira? Eli was family for God's sake!" When the Roses lose their fortune and everything is upended, it's a complete surprise. There are no guarantees in life and none in business. So, prepare. Keep your resume updated, stay relevant, watch the trends and know that if a company goes under for example, you can land on your feet. Most importantly don’t let it get personal, it will drag you down into a sea of self doubt and feed the failure to launch your next endeavor.
Rule #2: Adapt and be a part of change. If you're not a part of a workplace decision on change you will feel beleaguered, unappreciated, and lost. If you become a part of the change conversation not only are you helping yourself but you can contribute at a level that covers the details that others may overlook. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to try and understand why the change decision has been made. Too often I have seen staff meetings where everyone nods in Stepford Wife unison only to have the follow up team meeting beleaguered with questions that should have been asked prior. "I've asked you thrice for towels" . (there's an entire Six Sigma project just waiting to be executed at the Rose motel) It may seem silly but not having towels albeit a running gag, is also a perfect illustration of workplace acceptance of the status quo, a lack of attention to detail and a lack of knowledge. Details matter, so does thread count.
Rule #3: We've all heard it before : Do what you love and you'll never WORK a day in your life. Great concept, not so easy to accomplish. That is because we are taught that titles matter, span of control is a goal and that working harder not smarter will get you a badge. Nope. Nada. Non. However, if you focus on what really makes YOU happy, what YOU enjoy and what gives YOU satisfaction, it will save you from accepting dead end jobs, waking up and finding yourself completely uninspired, or feeling like every day is an assembly line. "I Would Rather Be Here By Myself Than Engage In Meaningless Conversation With People I Don't Care About."- Stevie Budd The character of Stevie exudes that she feels her job is really just a smokescreen to play solitaire online and she , at first, comes across as not having goals. Stevie makes the jump to become a flight attendant with Larry Air because she is doing what she thinks is expected of her, imagine a new career when the career she would really enjoy and gain satisfaction from is right in front of her. She needed her expectations to be expanded not her resume.
Rule #4: Don't Let Other's Perceptions Of You Dictate Your Career Path. “I once passed off a mini horse and three guinea pigs as service animals, so anything is possible.” – Alexis Rose The character of Alexis Rose played by Annie Murphy should be a poster in workplace breakrooms (and easily read six feet away) - the character of Alexis is misunderstood, not taken seriously and undervalued. Yet she has mad life skills. "In case you wake up in a chair with your hands duct-taped together, you can snap the duct tape by just raising your hands over your head, and then bringing them down really hard," She is viewed from the outside as being frivolous, vain and undependable. In fact she is actually someone who is open to new ideas, comfortable in her own skin, . Your career will be much more satisfying if the skills you have are tapped into. Sure you can go ahead and "learn to ride a bike", and get satisfaction from the accomplishment but when you know your true worth and what YOU bring to the table, the job is more satisfying and time isn't wasted by the company trying to fit a square peg into a round hole: "Like, have you ever had to negotiate in Arabic?" "It is very difficult. And try getting into Kiss Kiss in Tokyo without a lock of human hair." Bottom line ? Alexis knows her worth regardless if anyone else understands her true value.
Lesson 5: Stay relevant and eschew comfort. Don't be comfortable? Sounds terrible doesn't it? It's not. Don't lose your edge. Be curious. Be a learner. Trends, dynamics, the workplace is a constant source of change. You must be open to learn, adjust your point of view and understand that comfort breeds complacency. Test your point of view. Is it rooted in the present and prepared for the future? Or is it based on long held beliefs that you have clung to bc it's the easier path? Don’t be that guy who produces a VHS tape because you believe “it still has some relevance” and you don't want to be that person who is unaware of the changing dynamics, trends. and strategies. The one thing you can trust is all three will change daily. "Talk To The Hand, Son, Because The Ears Are No Longer Working" Johnny Rose
Lesson 6: Embrace the unknown because fear is the enemy and hesitation the death knoll in a career. The business landscape is changing every day, hour and minute..and you can either let it happen TO you or embrace your fear and move forward anyway. The very worst that can happen is you fail. Failure ultimately can breed success if the lessons are learned. The character of Moira takes a couple of seasons to exemplify this. At first she is clinging to her old life and its accoutrements: galapagonian tortoise foot bath anyone? As she confronts her fears she grows as a person and meets the challenges thrown her way with bravery: “I’m afraid you and I have arrived at an awkward moment in our parent-child relationship. It seems that there are some nude photographs of me on the internet, and I would like you to search for them.” –Moira
Last but not least, be yourself. Your unique spin or view will be valued when you find the workplace that gives you the breathing room you need to grow and flourish.
Alexis: “What's your favorite season?” / Moira: “Awards.”