Hell’s Kitchen, the Bible, the Sharks, and the Silver Screen

Need to develop and implement some strategies, but don’t have the time to take courses or slog through resources to get answers and inspiration? No problem! You can get the help you need from the Bible, movies, and TV shows, says Patrick J. Stroh, author of Business Strategy: Plan, Execute, Win!

Stroh, principal of Mercury Business Advisors, says that parables from sources from popular media can convey real-world wisdom to help develop and execute new organizational strategies. The best part is, these stories are readily relatable to staff and team members.

Stroh cites these films as scenes containing business examples, morals, and inspiration. The Hunt for Red October is his favorite, saying it shows if you make a decision in business, make it a commitment, and don’t turn back. Other movies he says are great for examples of strategy are The Matrix, Avatar, Apollo 13, and even Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen! For teamwork parables, he suggests Hoosiers.

From the small screen, Stroh suggests shows starring bad boy Master Chef Gordon Ramsey of Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. While this example of a “leader,” whose language is often not workplace appropriate, may seem an odd choice, Stroh feels his shows are full of parables for employees on how to execute, succeed, and compete in the workplace. And for managers, the shows demonstrate how to evaluate and motivate your direct reports and “give them the resources to rise to the top.”

His other favorite TV show is Shark Tank. Although the show is about entrepreneurs and not administrators, it demonstrates how people who have ideas must learn how to plan, work, sweat the details, be determined to succeed, and be willing to consider the perspectives of those with experience and expertise.

Stroh also acknowledges business strategies from the Bible, the most published book in history. He especially acknowledges the business wisdom in Proverbs. Some quotes he cites from Proverbs include:

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,” Proverbs 29:18, and

“Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel comes wisdom,” Proverbs 13:10.”