It’s Oscars season in Hollywood, a time of exclusive parties, grand speeches, and epic snubs.
High atop this year’s list of looked-overs is actor Adam Sandler for his role as Stanley Sugarman, a struggling NBA scout, in the Netflix feature film Hustle. In a moving performance, Sandler turns what could’ve been a sentimental sports drama into a soulful portrait of an aging professional in an unforgiving industry.
For two action-packed hours, we witness Stanley’s journey, from jaded scout to dedicated mentor willing to put it all on the line for his candidate. Along the way, we’re given fresh insights about what it takes to recognize, attract, and develop top talent. Here are five key lessons from the film (and, warning, there are some spoilers) that every recruiter should hustle to learn.
1. Look beyond the resume
The movie opens with Stanley touring the globe in search of a star player for his team, the Philadelphia 76ers. He runs through a list of the top international prospects, but none live up to the hype. A master of his craft, Stanley looks beyond the stat sheets and padded highlight reels. Unfortunately, the team’s general manager, Vince (played by Ben Foster), feels differently and pursues a 7-foot-tall, 19-year-old German player “with a 35-foot range and a guard’s handle.”
To no one’s surprise, he doesn’t pan out and Stanley is back on the hunt. In Spain, he happens upon an amateur streetball hustler named Bo Cruz, played by real-life NBA player Juancho Hernangómez. Bo doesn’t have the flash of the others, but Stanley sees in him enough grit and raw talent that, if properly developed, could turn him into a superstar. (Spoiler alert: He’s right!)
The takeaway: Finding untapped talent means looking in unusual places.
2. Fight for the hire you believe in
Unearthing a gem like Bo is difficult enough, but convincing your boss to invest a significant lump of money on unproven talent is a whole different ball game.
“He’s a unicorn, a mythical creature,” Stanley pleads, but Vince remains unconvinced. He’s concerned with gaps in the candidate’s employment. Things get heated between the two, and the GM finally puts Stanley in his place: “I pay you to find players, not tell me what to do with them.”
Most recruiters would, and probably should, stop there. But Stanley believes in Bo. He uses his connections to get him a workout, which he tanks. Then another, which he also tanks. Still, Bo shows enough spark to earn him an invitation to an exclusive game with some of the league’s top stars, where he shines.
The takeaway: When you come across a special candidate, don’t be afraid to put your neck out for them.
3. Always shoot straight with your candidate
After Bo bombs his first workout, it’s clear to Stanley that his candidate is in need of some serious upskilling. Rather than cutting his losses and moving on to the next name on the list, the scout has a heart-to-heart with the player, resulting in one of the movie’s most powerful scenes.
“There’s a thousand other guys waiting in the wings who are obsessed with this game,” Stanley says. “Obsession is going to beat talent every time. You’ve got all the talent in the world, but are you obsessed?”
What follows are a series of montage scenes straight out of Rocky, in which Stanley schools Bo on the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the job. When it comes time to showcase his skills in front of the best in the business, Bo is poised and prepared.
The takeaway: Show your candidate exactly what they need to succeed and they’ll have a better chance of getting there.
4. Leverage your social media presence
Two-thirds of the way through the movie, the veteran scout hits a roadblock. Upskilled and energized, Bo is ready for the big stage, but Stanley can’t wrangle him a spot at the NBA rookie combine (think: invitation-only career day for the most elite amateur hoopers on the planet).
Stanley’s young daughter, Alex, has an epiphany: “People just need to see him play, right?” she asks. With the help of an influential family friend, she creates the #boachallenge, a social media sizzle reel of the Spanish streetballer displaying his skills against a variety of opponents, including some current NBA stars.
The video becomes a viral sensation, touted by such basketball greats as Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as sports media personalities like Dan Patrick, who implores the NBA to “let the world see this talent.” (Spoiler alert: It does!)
The takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of the hashtag.
5. It’s never, ever about you
Professional sports leagues run on a global pipeline of unparalleled talent, which people like Stanley help feed. Like so many recruiters, his contributions are crucial to the success of his organization. Yet, but for a small group of insiders in the know, he’s nearly anonymous.
In the end, Bo gets his big break — however, in a typical Hollywood twist, it’s not with the 76ers. Once the world is able to see his talent, he enters the open market, where he’s quickly scooped up by the competition.
The final scene of the movie shows Stanley walking through the tunnel into an arena packed with fans. The 76ers are hosting Bo’s new team, the Boston Celtics. The two men meet at center court to exchange a warm embrace. The crowd cheers. The game is about to begin.
The takeaway: Keep in touch with your candidates, even if they don’t get the job.
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Topics: Recruiting tips
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