INTRO

The new podcast is live!

I’m partnering with my friend Cassidy each week to discuss leadership lessons from our favorite movies.

I’m excited for this new direction. The conversations have been a lot of fun and I’m loving having a co-pilot there to bounce ideas back and forth with.

Give it a listen here.

Question for the group, what movies and characters would you like to see us discuss in an upcoming episode?

Now, let’s dive into the Lens…

LEADER’S LENS

Leadership and Conflict Management: Insights From the Movie Friday

Let’s talk about the movie Friday.

If you grew up in the 90’s, you have seen the movie Friday multiple times and you know the situation. 

• Craig got fired on his day off. 

• They said he was stealing boxes.

Here is my hot take about the situation: Craig shouldn’t have been fired. He should have been promoted. 

I say this because throughout the movie we see him show incredible leadership.

It’s a classic tale of talent being overlooked and ignored. It happens often. 

Under the wrong managers, great talent is undervalued and will become disengaged. 

It’s frustrating and I hate to see it.

Craig is the type of leader any company would be lucky to have in their organization.

As a leader, there are few skills as important as conflict management and Craig demonstrated his ability to resolve conflict multiple times throughout the movie. 

_{🕶 Conflict, when left unchecked, can fester and erode the very foundation of your team's dynamics. It's not just about resolving disputes; it's about harnessing the power of diverse perspectives to foster a more robust, innovative, and cohesive team.}

Let’s look at what makes Craig such an effective leader.

Leadership and Sponsorship in Conflict Situations

There was a lot of conflict in Friday, and Craig was the backbone, guiding the neighborhood through turbulent times with courage and integrity. 

Sponsorship in conflict isn't just about taking charge; it's about empowering your team. It's making those tough calls, standing firm for what's right, even when it's not easy. 

Craig's confrontation with Debo was more than a showdown, It was a display of leadership, protecting and standing up for his community.

Craig and be the leader who steps into the arena, not just as a decision-maker, but as a protector of your team's values and morale. As a leader, your team needs to know that when the going gets tough, their leader gets tougher, but also remains fair and just. 

Involving and Engaging Team Members

Craig was like the conductor of the symphony, staying engaged with the neighborhood and understanding how everything was connected. 

As a leader, your role is to encourage open dialogue. Your team will be more committed to the goals of the organization when they know their voice is heard and opinion valued. This doesn’t mean you try to make everyone happy. You are the leader and will need to make difficult decisions. 

But before you find solutions, start by listening. This will create a sense of belonging and ownership. 

People support the things they help create.

When team members feel involved, they're more committed, more invested in the outcome.

Here's your strategy: create a space where team members can express themselves without fear. Facilitate brainstorming sessions, encourage diverse perspectives, and most importantly, listen. Remember, a team that solves conflicts together grows stronger together. 

Communication: The Key to Resolving Conflicts

Craig and Smokey's open, no-holds-barred dialogue navigated them through the day's chaos. This is the essence of conflict resolution: clear, honest communication, where every word counts and sometimes the silence speaks loudest.

As a leader, your voice echoes. 

Embrace transparency like Craig–address issues head-on, fostering an environment where feedback is shared freely and voices are valued. Remember, it's not about the loudest voice but the most impactful words.

Here's your playbook: 

• Listen actively, speak with purpose.

• Encourage constructive, collaborative dialogue.

• Embrace transparency, value impactful over loud words.

• Resolve conflicts, transform challenges into opportunities.

• Foster open feedback, value every voice.

What do you think? Should Craig have been fired? Am I wrong here?