Snowfall FX — Why Every Entrepreneur Should Watch — 7
🚨 SPOILER ALERT!!! 🚨 If you haven’t already, check out Part Six
The final two episodes of Season 3 of the hit drama series Snowfall shares more of the entrepreneurial journey of the show’s protagonist Franklin Saint. All the while giving game and providing nuggets of wisdom to my fellow entrepreneurs. Here are some of my takeaways from the latest two episodes.
Leaders Must Offer Correction
“Wrong is wrong. Right is right. The people that love me are going to tell me that I was wrong. Don’t tell me that in public. Wait until we get back to the hood. But wrong is wrong. Right is right.” ―Nipsey Hussle
Publicly humiliating a subordinate is one of the cardinal sins of leadership.
Alan Goldman, Ph.D. in Management, said, “Leaders must learn, themselves, to distinguish between public and private venues for correcting underlings. Private quarters are far more forgiving than are public venues. Public loss of face can churn up deep and deadly animosity, fear, hate, and commitment to retaliate.”
Correction is apart of a leader’s duties. In fact, the probability of success and the strength of the organization’s culture relies heavily on the leader’s ability to hold team members accountable. But more important than the message of correction is the delivery. The wrong approach to correction can be very costly.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou
A savvy leader, Franklin maintains a united front in the presence of Manboy, reminding him, “Leon here is family. Mess with him. You mess with me.” Naive, Leon walks away with his head high, smiling, thinking that he condoned his behavior because Franklin had his back publicly.
Only to find out in the car ride home that was far from the case. Initially, I thought Franklin’s delivery was a bit harsh, but in hindsight, it was necessary. During the entire season, Leon’s persisted in undermining Franklin’s alliance with Manboy.
On several occasions, Franklin’s tried to explain the big picture to Leon. Hoping that he’d put his personal feelings to the side and conduct business. However, time after time, Leon demonstrates that he’s unwilling. Franklin had to send the message that either you get with the program or you’re out.
Nonetheless, had Franklin decided to humiliate Leon in front of Manboy, it’s unlikely that Leon would forgive him. And the hatred and commitment to retaliate would gradually overtake his love for Franklin. So as entrepreneurs, we must be thoughtful with our correction delivery.
It’s Lonely
“Being an entrepreneur or a CEO is a stunningly lonely job. As the head of a company, you are the last person in the line of defense. You are entirely responsible for everything. It’s a huge eye-opener when you realize that you are responsible not only for yourself and your family and loved ones but for other people’s, too.” ― Gary Vee
Alone describes a state of isolation or solitude when one is outside the company of others, while lonely describes a feeling of sadness or abandonment. In other words, being alone is a state of being; loneliness is a state of mind.
Although many entrepreneurs are rarely alone physically as a team typically surrounds them, mentally, there is a constant feeling of loneliness that the presence of others does not rid. Entrepreneurs spend every waking moment in their heads, thinking about all their responsibilities. All while in the presence of people who don’t understand the entrepreneurial quest!
Franklin, overwhelmed by his thoughts and responsibilities, demonstrates his desperation for connection. For someone to understand him and what he’s experiencing. Ironically, the biggest threat to his business empire, Reed Thompson, is the only person who does.
“You’re responsible for the lives of everyone you love. You’re worried all the time. And you’re afraid of ‘what if I made a great miscalculation.’ And inside of all that you’re completely and utterly alone.” ― Reed Thompson
As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to develop some way to release and decompress. Whether it’s by speaking with other entrepreneurs, a spouse, or a therapist, or having a daily journal, releasing is crucial to your longevity and sanity.
Living On Your Own Terms
Be bold enough to live life on your terms. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. March to the beat of your own drum. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.” ― Mandy Hale
The Season 3 Finale explores the “what if.” Asking, what if Franklin went the traditional route. Instead of betting on himself, what if he trusted the establishment.
Many entrepreneurs, myself included, have a “what if” moment. It’s when you’ve hit rock bottom, and the questions that keep running through your mind are, “why me?” and “was it worth it?” Wonder if you were better off playing it safe.
In my journey, I’ve found myself in that space a few times, contemplating why I make my life harder than it has to be — trying to figure out why I gave up a stable corporate job for a life of uncertainty.
However, as the scenario unfolds, we’re reminded that you can only run away from who you are for so long. That eventually, your destiny will catch up with you.
“Thought I could play there game my way and still win. I don’t belong their.” — Franklin
Nonetheless, as entrepreneurs were meant to live life on our own terms because we’re not in it for the money, prestige, or power like many of our peers, we are chasing something different, which Franklin so beautifully articulated in and in Season 1 Episode 1. We’re after freedom! “Freedom from all of it.”