Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Kandahar

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Kandahar is an intense film involving CIA agent Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) and his translator Mo (Navid Negahban) as they flee hostile territory after their secret cover is blown. Their journey exposes hidden truths, dangerous allies, and former friends.

I was glued to my seat as I watched Kandahar. Maybe it’s how Gerard Butler plays military roles or the intrigue of a spy mission gone wrong. Perhaps it’s that the movie was loosely based on the Snowden leaks in 2013. Either way, the story was enjoyable, relevant, and entertaining.

As always, there’s more to the story than what’s on the surface. Every movie has Reel Leadership lessons hidden within.

In the latest Reel Leadership article, we dig into the leadership lessons in Kandahar.

Gerard Butler and Navid Negahban in the movie Kandahar

5 Books Leaders Need To Read In March 2023

We’ve got to regularly take in new content to continue to grow our skills, talents, and ideas. That’s why I bring you a new list of books to read every month.

I don’t expect you to get through all five, though you may, especially if you listen to audiobooks while you run, bike, or commute to work.

The list is here to help you understand the great books that are available to you. I hope you’ll consider checking out at least one or two of these fantastic leadership books this month.

5 Leadership Books To Read In March 2023

1. The Coach’s Casebook: Mastering the Twelve Traits That Trap Us by Geoff Watts and Kim Morgan:

Authors Geoff Watts and Kim Morgan believe there are 12 traits every coach will encounter in their career. Watts and Morgan want to help you become prepared for these traits and the skills you need to navigate them.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Many people have said the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faltered lately. Sure, there have been flops with movies like The Eternals, but I believe the MCU is still going strong.

The latest film in the MCU, Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania, proves that.

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania takes one of Marvel’s tiniest heroes to the big screen for the third time. His first movie was fantastic. The second movie in the Ant-Man franchise fell flat. But… But… Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania brings back the character and fun we all loved from the original film.

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania occurs many years after the first two movies. Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) has returned from The Snap caused by Thanos. He’s still struggling to connect with his daughter, Cassie Lang/Stature/Stinger (Kathryn Newton), because of the missed time with her. This lost time plays into her desire to learn, grow, and become something more.

Setting The Example

Leaderships is influence. We must be able to inspire others to action.

There are leaders out there who constantly wonder what they can do to garner this action.

What must they do to see their teams respond? What must be said to see action? What must be done for results?

Do what needs to be done, set the example

This Stormtrooper knows how to set the example – Image by JD Hancock

In my experience, there’s one thing that will inspire others to take action. To go the extra mile. To bleed for the company.

What is this one thing leaders can do? It’s setting the example.

What Does It Mean To Set The Example?

Guys, this is fairly easy to figure out. Realizing what setting the example is doesn’t take a lot of work.

Setting the example means showing your team what needs to be done. In all you do, show off the traits of a model employee.

3 Ways Leaders Earn Trust

A blog reader recently asked me the question “How do I earn the trust of those I lead?” His question is a good one and that’s why I wanted to use it as the basis for this article.

Trust is important to those in a leadership position. If your team doesn’t trust you, you will struggle with performance issues, quality control, and more.

Multiple hands with palms up

Photo by McKenna Phillips

Trust is the bedrock of great leadership. You need to learn how to get your people to trust you.

Today, that’s what we’re going to look into.

3 Ways Leaders Earn Trust

Keep your promises:

You hear this and you go “Duh! Of course leaders who want to be trusted must keep their promises.” Keeping your word is paramount in being trustworthy.

But…