The Monty Python Guide to Better Leadership

Recognizable quotes can create instant understanding. Most of us use them, at least occasionally. Maybe you sometimes like to channel your inner King Leonidas and rally your business troops with a rousing, "This... is... Sparta!"

If so, give that one a rest and try something different. Turn to the Pythons for inspiration.

(By the way: I've seen call-response interludes at different meetings -- like spelling the company name, or shouting a "catchy" slogan like "Get things done -- have fun!" -- but watching 100 people yell the Spartan war cry tops them all for, um, weirdness.)

(By the way #2: Try to name more quotable movies than "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Life of Brian." "This is Spinal Tap," "Major League," "Caddyshack," and "Animal House" come to mind, but not many others.)

(And my last by the way: It's Friday. Lighten up. Have a little fun.)

Here are six quotes you can use from "Holy Grail."

"It's just a flesh wound."

The Black Knight is the quintessential optimist. When orders ship late, production lines go down, customer complaints skyrocket, or cash flow is down to a trickle, don't let your employees see you sweat. If you lose hope, how will your employee stay positive and focused? (Skip to the 2:05 mark if you must.)

"Help, help, I'm being repressed!"


Admit it: Even if you don't like Holy Grail, the constitutional peasants are funny. Feel free to trot this one out when employees complain they should be allowed to text at work, or take more breaks or personal phone calls, or... you get the drift. (Actual line is around 2:30.)

"It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut."


Perfect for anyone who hides behind technology to justify problems, delays, or additional expense. Sometimes a coconut is just a coconut. (1:25.)

"One day, lad, all this will be yours." "What, the curtains?"


Herbert doesn't want the castle; he wants to sing (albeit badly.) You may not want to run the family business. Your parents might be disappointed if that's the case, but better to be honest than to give less than your best.

"If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood." "And therefore...?" "A witch!"


To all the continuous improvement specialists and Six Sigma black belts (oops, full disclosure, I have one of those) who draw incredible conclusions from amazing feats of data analysis... and then step back to let others do the implementation dirty work. (2:40.)

"I'm getting better..."


Running any business is tough, but keeping a successful business successful can be incredibly difficult. Don't give up in the face of setbacks, and don't listen to naysayers. You still may fail, but try to fail without regrets and on your own terms. (1:05.)

"Brave Sir Robin ran away..."

Even so, sometimes the best thing to do is to recognize what's not working and probably never will, stop, and focus on what could work. (Thanks to Anil Saxena for pointing this one out -- thanks Anil!)

I know there are more -- if you have favorites, feel free to share!

(Quick note: This post is in no way intended as serious business advice. If you're an on-point, quota-eclipsing, goal-achieving master of the business universe and see pausing for a little humor as a waste of your every-second-counts-because-I'm-crushing-the-competition time, feel free to re-read your well-thumbed copy of The Wealth of Nations instead. Horses for courses.)

I also write for Inc.com:

James Baird

Multi-industry and multi-discipline, experienced bricoleur CISO

8y

There is no end-of-life for Monty Python. >Ni

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Laura Wilbanks

GRC Architect with Extensive Risk, IS/IT Policy, and 3rd Party Management Experience

8y

Ah...I so get this. Being in the IT field, I used to say I am in the right place if I heard or read Python quotes in the work space. Now that is a bit dated...but I do still look for indications of appropriate geekiness and crazy geek culture indicators that demonstrate the place has a sense of humor. Personal Python faves: "Bring me a shrubbery!" and "Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."

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James Baird

Multi-industry and multi-discipline, experienced bricoleur CISO

8y

To be a great leader, one must know the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow. An African swallow. Carrying a one-pound coconut.

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Lincoln Higdon

Chief Operating Officer at Centerpoint IT

8y

HAHA!

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Rohit Deshpande

Software Development Manager

9y

Do yo know me deepak?

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