Lessons Startups Should Learned from "The Greatest Showman"

Funny how the human mind works. Inspiration and meaning can pop up anywhere and that includes 'Family Night at the Movies'. Recently, we watched "The Greatest Showman" and I recalled how mesmerized we were with the cinematography, choreography, and custumes but most of all the music and lyrics. As the movie unfolded I found myself thinking about startups and by extension life lessons. Crazy isn't?

The movie stars Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum and centers on the period of the founding of his circus. Zac Efron plays opposite Jackman's Barnum as his junior partner Philip Carlyle, Zendaya who is the trapeze artist Anne Wheeler, Michelle Williams as P.T. Barnum's wife Charity Barnum, Keala Settle as Lettie Lutz and Rebecca Ferguson as 'The Swedish Nightingale' Jenny Lind. The high energy musical with a period twist brought up so many thoughts that I put 'pen-to-paper' and jot them down and share it. The various themes can be broken down and group in the following arrangements: 'The Showman' where turning one's dreams into reality & selling your vision to others; 'Acceptance & Partnership' where recruiting and retaining talent enables one's vision and ‘Chaos' where the dangers of dividing one's attention can tear one's dream down.

'The Showman'

Create a Vision from your Dreams - "A Million Dreams"

In the scene a young P.T. Barnum and a young Charity running through the abandon mansion singing the song "A Million Dreams," all I can think about is what it initially takes to start a business or chase a dream. The song beautifully lays out what it takes:

"The brightest colors fill my head

A million dreams are keeping me awake

I think of what the world could be

A vision of the one I see

A million dreams is all its gonna take

A million dreams for the world we're gonna make"

Turning one's dream into a venture is the very definition of a startup. Dream big or dream small but dream and then convert that dream into a vision that everyone can rally behind but be aware that you will face challenges as well:

"They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy

They can say, they can say we've lost our minds

I don't care, I don't care if they call us crazy"

It is up to you! - "Rewrite the Stars"

"It feels impossible (it's not impossible)

Is it impossible?

Say that it's possible

How do we rewrite the stars?"

Turning one's dream into reality requires faith in oneself, one's vision and one's ability to execute. Just in the courtship scene with Philip Carlyle and Anne Wheeler the song "Rewrite the Stars" lays out how they can make their relationship work. Despite the social pressures and their station in life, they argued that they can make it work if they so choose.

'Acceptance & Partnership'

Create Buy-In - Make It Real...Come Alive!

The segment in the movie where Barnum recruits his 'oddities' is the definitive benchmark of how to create buy-in amongst the troops. Not only that he instills confidence and acceptance thus freeing up their talent and creating untold possibilities. The song "Come Alive!" is a perfect example of using storytelling to create a vision in the organization, instill confidence and to get them to believe in your vision.

"Take a world and redefine it

Leave behind your narrow mind

You'll never be the same

Come alive, come alive

Go and light your light

Let it burn so bright

Reachin' up to the sky

And it's open wide

You're electrified"

Over the course of the musical number, the circus starts to form into a real troop. Everyone is rallying together behind Barnum's vision to deliver a great show but as always "life" gets in the way.

Attracting Top Talent - "The Other Side"

During the bar scene between Hugh Jackman’s P.T. Barnum and Zac Efron's Philip Carlyle, Barnum is trying to convince Carlyle to work for him. They go back and forth during this musical scene as Barnum once again uses storytelling to sell his vision. What is apparent from this scene is attracting good talent is a combination of selling the vision and backing it up with collateral and in this case a part of the business.

'Chaos'

Stay the course - "Never Enough"

One could argue that this scene and song in the movie was Barnum's vindication of his vision and to some extent this is true but what I saw was a man who strayed from his original vision. Just like the Siren in Greek mythology, were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and singing voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. 'The Swedish Nightingale', Jenny Lind, is the Siren and her voice, as well as her song, led P.T. Barnum astray.

"All the shine of a thousand spotlights

All the stars we steal from the night sky

Will never be enough

Never be enough

Towers of gold are still too little

These hands could hold the world but it'll

Never be enough

Never be enough"

The focus to one's vision and business plan is essential, especially with any startup that finds early success. One should not be 'greedy' and realize that "Never Enough' is enough.

Turning one's dreams into reality, selling your vision to others, recruiting and retaining talent, and the dangers of dividing one's attention are lessons that every startup founder needs to pay attention too. By doing so increases the success of the venture and lays the foundation for further growth. In the closing moments of “The Greatest Showman” P.T realizes this and resets his dream with the help of his troop and his family. What a great way to end a truly wonderful and fantastic movie!