Work Lessons From Mary Poppins

I revisited the greatest children's movie ever made as a preliminary to a conference that usually has comparable creativity. Little did I know most of the guests could not see beyond the nose on their face. Onward and upward- only the nice people who cultivate relationships would read this.

Blow Away the Competition

The children write what they want in a nanny, their father tears it up and a repaired version is what Mary Poppins sees. Imagine if the hiring process were like this. There were many applicants and they were blown away by the only one who could properly do the job.

Enough is a Feast

Unto every job that must be done there is a certain element of fun. American companies have taken this to mean business casual and occasional pizza parties to appease their employees. After cleaning their room in a fun manner the children want to "Do it again."

Every child ever uses that phrase. Mary Poppins maintained order. Let's see what else can be accomplished.

Always Ride the Moving Horse

When the merry go round breaks loose (if you can jump into a chalk drawing you can ride a merry go round horse across the countryside.) it would have been dull to ride a stationary horse or that seat where adults relent to join you to please the children. You never know where the day can take you.

This is the third era in which I saw this movie. The first time was in sixth grade. That was my favorite year in school and a time of great expansion. Finding creativity, making new friends in a new school, maintaining relationships in my former school, good teachers inspired learning and the rumor of a baby arriving in the fall led me to expand my horizons. I could watch movies on my own.

This is also when I discovered the James Bond movies. They were a revolution for me. Far more than Star Wars which did not impress me. Oddly enough, I was impressed by The Empire Strikes Back. It did not become the lifelong relationship the Bond films have.

I thought this would lead to common ground with my father. He did not like the Bond films. Are you sure I wasn't adopted? He suggested many entertaining films over the years and I did not ask his opinion on Mary Poppins.

This is the greatest children's movie ever made. I never bothered making a Top Ten list. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ranks second and in third place? The Princess Bride. I had to see that twice in theaters because there was so much laughter the first time I missed a lot of the jokes.

The next time Mary Poppins was enjoyed came in the DVD era. I had lost a good job and needed something to keep me engaged. I asked what eluded me at the dawn of puberty- what would it be like to date Mary Poppins? By her own account she is practically perfect in every way. She is reasonable and I always had a thing for Dame Julie Andrews.

Work on dating women in life, not characters from fiction. On this viewing I did not think of dating Mary Poppins. It would be nice and she would depart before long. Probably when the wind changes direction.

I revisited this as a prelude to Mary Poppins Returns. Don't compare the two. They maintained the tone, Emily Blunt inhabited the role making it her own and it was nice to see Angela Lansbury who worked as long as she could. Back to the original.

Laugh So Much You Float To the Ceiling

That only works in a G Rated movie. There would be drug references in any other. Greatness comes from within and if all it took was silly riddles everyone would be up in the air. There is little humor on LinkedIn and the laughing emoji has been used inappropriately.

Don't Feed Your Money To the Birds

I never understood this. Wouldn't coins kill birds? Deposit it. Don't take advice from vagrants in the park.

When It's Time To Go, Leave

The wind changed direction and Mary Poppins was off to her next adventure. Some people seemingly float into your life and leave an imprint long after they move. Remember to close your mouth. You are not a codfish.

Some people are startling and amazing compared to life as it was. To them; they are doing what they always do. Learn from them and the ripple effect will lead to greatness long after they are in a different phase.