6 Movies You Must See to Learn About a Better Workplace

Over the years I have seen so many movies that have left a big imprint on my life. In this post I want to tell you about a few movies that will help you look at your work in a brand new light.

6 movies you must see to increase your happiness at work

1. The Pursuit of Happyness

“You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.” – Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness

As far as work related movies go this is my favorite. I have seen it a few times now and every time I watch it I get inspired to better myself as a person and make something of my life. Will Smith does a fantastic job playing a father who is struggling to make ends meet and support his wife and child. The trials he and his son go through while he is trying to “make it” are simply magic.

The great thing about this movie is that it shows you that you can achieve anything you set your mind to; even when your circumstances are working against you. But more importantly, you don’t have to compromise your morals to do it.

For more on Will Smith check out another article we wrote about developing charisma.

And before you ask; no that’s not a spelling error. The word “Happyness” is a reference to a scene in the movie.

2. Fight Club

“We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed off.” – Tyler Durdan

Fight Club is without a doubt one of the best movies you can see to change your perspective about work. It is full of modern wisdom that can really help you see your life and your work in a new way. I have written a full article about Fight Club which shares some of Tyler Durdan’s wisdom.

The great thing about Fight Club is that it used a new and up to date method to present a message. If you didn’t learn any lessons from the movie you would have at least had a good two hours of entertainment.

3. Meet Joe Black

Another Brad Pitt movie that made me re-think everything I knew about work. In this timeless movie Brad Pitt plays the human embodiment of “death” who has come to take Anthony Hopkins to the next life. The two forge somewhat of a relationship and end up teaching each other some valuable lessons.

The thing I really liked about Meet Joe Black is that it teaches impermanence without being too depressing. It shows you that you can work your whole life building up an empire but in the end you can’t take it with you when you die.

4. Rocky

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” – Rocky

The Rocky movies aren’t really about “work” as such but they can teach you a lot about work. Rocky is extremely humble and genuine and in his pursuit of greatness he learns a lot about love, patience, justice and discipline.

I remember watching the Rocky movies and thinking afterwards that I could do anything I put my mind to. I went to work with a renewed sense of purpose and energy thinking that if Rocky can get himself out of a dead-end job then so can I.

5. To Sir With Love

This movie might be before your time (it is way before mine) but it is well worth looking up. My mother showed me this movie when I was in high school and I remember being deeply affected by it.

The movie is based around Sidney Poitier who takes a teaching job in the rough end of London. The students are rough and rude and Sidney takes it upon himself to teach them a few life lessons. It is one of the most inspiring films ever made.

The hit 90’s movie Dangerous Minds was a modern adaption of this classic.

6. Tears of the Sun

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. – Edmund Burke

(from the title card of the movie)

I don’t really like Bruce Willis and I don’t really like movies about ethnic cleansing but this one really moved me. The movie is set in Nigeria where mass genocide is taking place. Bruce and his team of Navy Seals are dropped into the heat of the action to bring home an American doctor before she is murdered. However, after witnessing several acts of mass murder the troops decide to ignore their orders to return home and stay to help the local villagers escape to Cameroon.

This movie teaches us that sometimes the right decision is the tough decision. Sometimes we need to go against our managers directives in the name of doing the right thing – even if it means we have consequences.

More of the best movies about work

I would love to compile a massive list of the most inspiring work related movies. Leave a comment and tell everyone what movie inspired you. The movie doesn’t have to be specifically about work as long as it helped you learn a lesson that you could apply to your own workplace.

Originally posted on March 24, 2008 @ 6:54 am