Chief Human Resources Officer, Exabeam.
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After watching Top Gun: Maverick, I was moved by the powerful life lessons artfully woven throughout the film, and I realize they can also be applied to business and leadership.
(Spoiler alert: If you happen to be one of the few who hasn’t seen Top Gun: Maverick yet, bookmark this article to read after you do.)
1. We are humans first.
During flight training, the fictional U.S. Navy captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchellx takes a high-performing team of young pilots to a nearby beach to blow off steam. We see the group quickly shed the stress of the looming mission and have fun playing football in the sand.
This scene had me reflecting on one of my favorite Simon Sinek videos, where he discusses performance versus trust. The scene is raw and honors the humanity in people, ultimately leading to deepened relationships and trust.
In business, leaders are called to create space for individuals on their teams to connect through sharing non-work experiences and ultimately increasing respect for one another. Exercises like these allow people to relate with each other in carefree ways that enable stronger levels of trust, which comes in handy when emotions run high as we rush to meet tight project deadlines in high-velocity work environments.
2. Lead by example.
Maverick’s pilots are challenged by several unsuccessful attempts to complete their practice missions. We see them confront personal fears while under pressure and even doubt their fortitude. Some begin to think their task is impossible. It's here that Maverick decides to take command of a jet by himself and personally demonstrate that the task is achievable and within their reach.
This show of leadership by example inspires the less experienced pilots and reinvigorates their will to complete their mission.
In life, and in business, we can apply this same lesson to others by instilling confidence in those around us so they can overcome their fears. We can exhibit confidence to eliminate limiting beliefs and demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges while encouraging a "don’t give up" mindset.
3. Your time to step up will come: Be patient and ready.
Patience has its place. Hangman, an all-star yet cavalier lieutenant, isn’t selected to lead the team on its mission—a setback to his ego, as much as his flight time. He remains poised on the aircraft carrier, as a backup. When Maverick and Rooster become stranded, Hangman’s chance to showcase his strengths and be a real hero arrives.
This lesson is easily applied to business settings and highlights the importance of inviting diversity into our workplaces. Every team member brings unique skills and gifts to their role and will shine at different times. Patience, learning, observing and staying curious are the lessons here. Be ready.
4. Even 'the best' can be better.
Pilots in the U.S. Navy’s Top Gun program must be elite, highly qualified and dedicated. When the Top Gun graduates first encounter Maverick, they lack humility, leaving the impression they don’t believe they can learn from him. Over time, however, Maverick shows the cohort of rookie aviators that they do, in fact, have much to learn—from him and from each other.
This lesson is being humble enough to know that you can’t know everything. Even accomplished business executives benefit from having a mentor to help improve their craft, provide guidance or share knowledge from their own experiences.
5. Know your strengths, and help others identify theirs.
After reuniting with former girlfriend Penny Benjamin, Maverick reveals long-held secrets to her, earning her trust and confidence. One evening while the two are sailing, Penny comments that Maverick should know how to sail since he is in the Navy. Maverick says he doesn’t sail boats, he lands on them—thus displaying confidence in himself and his aviator abilities.
The lesson here reminds me of the famous saying: "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."
Often, leaders put in years of work mastering their craft and knowing their strengths. Maverick pushes his team of pilots to know and understand their own strengths, and how they can benefit the mission. Similarly, business leaders have the opportunity to help others tap into strengths they may not yet recognize within themselves.
6. Know when to let go.
When Maverick visits his friend Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, he laments a past decision that prevented Rooster, his late best friend Goose’s son, from entering the Naval Academy. Iceman tells him: It’s time to let go.
Even the best leaders can feel regretful or hang on to a past mistake. Growth is knowing when there’s a lesson to be learned from the past and when to leave the past behind. Here are some reminders:
• Don’t hold on to what doesn’t serve you well; if you can’t let go, get help letting go (everyone in their own time).
• Forgive yourself so you can forgive others.
• If you’ve made a mistake, apologize.
• If someone apologizes to you, accept it.
7. Never underestimate the power of experience.
In the story, Maverick asks the rookie pilots if they know the contents of the flying manuals. They acknowledge they do; then Maverick throws the manuals into the trash. He says the enemy knows them, too. He proceeds to push the pilots into situations that test their limits and uses his own field expertise to gauge what’s possible.
The lesson is that you can’t learn everything from a book or manual. They have their place, but books lack the depth and richness of experiences to develop a person’s critical thinking skills and ability to react in real time.
If you read through to lesson No. 7, I hope you appreciated the lessons. Top Gun: Maverick ranks as one of my favorite films, alongside Indiana Jones, which also has many life lessons.
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