Tag Archives: pop culture

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What To Do When You Doubt Yourself As A Leader

Leadership Lessons From Black Lightning

I had the pleasure of meeting comic book writer Tony Isabella in October 2017. Tony is the creator of the DC Comics first African American superhero Black Lightning.

black lightning Jefferson Pierce doubt his superheronessDuring my time with Tony Isabella at the Grand Rapids Comic-Con, I asked him what was his favorite comic book issue to work on. Without hesitation, he said Black Lightning Volume 2 Issue 5.

Tony went on to explain why he enjoyed the comic book so much. Black Lightning’s civilian identity is Jefferson Pierce, the principal at Garfield High School. Pierce dons the Black Lightning costume to protect his students from the gangsters who want to recruit them to their gangs and do them harm.

In the Black Lightning comic recommended by Tony Isabella, something goes wrong. Walter Kasko, a teacher at Garfield High School, tosses himself in front of a young student named Lamar as gangsters burst into the room Walter, Lamar, and Jefferson was. Walter was riddled with bullets and died. Jefferson was injured and spent time in the hospital.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Commuter

A Reel Leadership Article

Every day Michael MacCauley (Liam Neeson) took the commuter train to and from work. On the day he was let go from his job, he didn’t change his ritual of riding the train. This is where the leadership lessons from The Commuter begin.

That fateful day things changed. Michael was a targeted man. Someone had a plan for him. A sinister plan.

leadership lessons from The Commuter

The Commuter was filled with a couple of great plot twists you didn’t see coming. Liam Neeson played his role perfectly as did the other cast members.

But let’s get into the leadership lessons from The Commuter before I get too far off base.

 

Caution: The Commuter spoilers below.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Commuter

1. Karen MacCauley:

We’ll find a way. We always do.  Read more...

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Leadership Lessons And Quotes From Jackie Chan’s The Foreigner

A Reel Leadership Article

Jackie Chan is inspiring. At 63 years old, Chan will put younger men to shame in the action and stunts he will do in his movies.

The Foreigner (based on the book The Chinaman) is Jackie Chan’s latest U.S. release. It tells the story of Quan Ngoc Minh (Jackie Chan) and his story of revenge.

Quotes and leadership lessons from The Foreigner

After his daughter was killed in a London bombing, Quan goes on a rampage. His desire to find his daughter’s killer and bring him to justice, his justice, cannot be quenched.

In the vein of Liam Neeson’s Taken, Chan is back.

Now, let’s take a look at the leadership lessons from The Foreigner.

 

Caution: The Foreigner spoilers below

Leadership Lessons And Quotes From Jackie Chan’s The Foreigner

1. Being in a rush could cost you:

Quan’s daughter, Fan (Katie Leung), was picked up from school by Quan. She wanted to rush to the dress shop to pick up her dress for a dance.  Read more...

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Leadership Lessons And Quotes From The Hitman’s Bodyguard

A Reel Leadership Article

The Hitman’s Bodyguard contains Samuel L. Jackson (who played Nick Fury in the Avengers) and Ryan Reynolds (the man behind Deadpool). These two bring a fun air to the irreverent yet enjoyable new movie The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Ryan Reynold’s character Michael Bryce is tasked with protecting the successful hitman Darius Kincaid (played by Samuel L. Jackson) after Kincaid agrees to testify against a genocidal maniac. The laughs ensue. The action commences. And you have a hilarious movie waiting for you.

Leadership Lessons And Quotes From The Hitman's Bodyguard

But to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should bring my leadership notebook to The Hitman’s Bodyguard. The movie is rated R and knowing the two main actors, I was expecting crass, vulgar, and inappropriateness to be shown.

The Hitman’s Bodyguard does deliver with crass humor and lots of vulgarity (though I’m not sure there was more than the comic-book movie Logan). Thankfully, there was very little sexualness to the movie. The Hitman’s Bodyguard did deliver in one other area: Leadership lessons.  Read more...

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Leadership Lessons And Quotes From War For The Planet Of The Apes

A Reel Leadership Article

In July 2014, I shared leadership lessons from Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Today, I’m happy to bring you leadership lessons from War for the Planet of the Apes.

War for the Planet of the Apes is the last film in the new Planet of the Apes trilogy. And she leaves us with an epic leadership message.

Quotes and Leadership Lessons And Quotes From War For The Planet Of The Apes

Warning: Spoilers for War of the Planet of the Apes below.

Leadership Lessons And Quotes From War For The Planet Of The Apes

1. Great leaders connect the past with the present and future:

As War for the Planet of the Apes open, you are treated to text that shares what happened in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. These brief synopsis of the previous Planet of the Ape movies helps viewers remember what came before. And then prepares them for what is next by giving an intro to War for the Planet of the Apes.  Read more...