Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Upside

A Reel Leadership Article

The Upside, starring Kevin Hart as Dell Scott and Bryan Cranston as Phillip Lacasse, is a heart-warming tale. Based on the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his life auxiliary Abdel Sellou, The Upside tells the story through the eyes of Phillip (instead of Phillippe) and Dell (instead of Abdel). The Upside is also a remake of the French film The Intouchables.

A little backstory: Phillip became a quadriplegic after a tragic paragliding accident. With his wife having passed away after a battle with cancer, Phillip wants to give up on life.

Dell Scott riding on the back of billionaire Phillip Lacasse's motorized wheelchair

Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart in The Upside

This is why he chooses to hire Dell as his life auxiliary. Phillip believed Dell wouldn’t have the capacity to keep him alive if he were to have another medical issue. As you watch The Upside, you discover Phillip was wrong. Dell gave Phillip the ability to live life again.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Death Wish

A Reel Leadership Article

I’ve often wondered what I would do if I was ever put into a situation like Bryan Mills from Taken or, now, Dr. Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) in the new Death Wish movie. Would I want to extract revenge for the pain brought upon me or the deaths I had to witness?

Bruce Willis in promotional image from Death Wish

As a man, these questions often flood my mind. And I love watching movies explore this thought process. Death Wish tells the story of Paul Kersey, a doctor whose job it was was to save lives. Only to have his wife brutally murdered and his daughter shot and left in a coma.

What would you do? That’s the question Death Wish gets you thinking about.

And, if you’re intentional, it’ll also get you to think about leadership.

Caution: Death Wish spoilers below.

Why It’s Important To Get Rest As A Leader

I’m droggy. I’m congested. And I’m lacking sleep.

I feel like I’ve been in this state forever. But it’s only been a day.

You ever been there? If you’re like most leaders, you have.

Leaders Lack Sleep

In a Gallop study, research shows that, on average, 40% of the US get less than the recommended amount of sleep. That’s a lot of people.

You’re probably one of them. I know I am.

With 40% of the US not getting enough sleep, we can bring that number over to leaders. There’s a good likelihood that 40% of leaders don’t get enough sleep either.

The number is large. This means the problem is large.

When leaders lack sleep, bad decisions are made.

The Importance Of Sleep To A Leader

Lack of sleep carries with it a number of problems. Research bears this out.