Show me the Money!! The Timeless Lessons from Jerry Maguire (the film).

By Marcus Timson, FuturePrint

Jerry Maguire is in my top 5 favourite films of all time. As far as I'm concerned, there is very little that could be disliked about it.

Great cast, superb performances, awesome script, feel-good story. It is funny, heartfelt and inspiring. What's not to like about that?

‘Show me the money’ Rod Tidwell forces his agent Jerry to shout his demands!

Rewatching the film recently reminded me that the Cameron Crowe classic also launched both René Zellweger's acting career and bagged Cuba Gooding Jr an Oscar for best-supporting actor way back in 1997.

Jerry is played by Tom Cruise and despite the film being over 20 years old, it retains its brilliance. The best art always stands the test of time, despite obvious signs of age (such as early mobile technology)  but regardless, it stands up on so many levels. 

What is so special about it? 

I think it has a number of applicable learnings within it we can all apply to business and to life. 

Jerry works as a high performing sports agent in the world of US sport. He seemingly has everything a person can want for. Money, glamour, success, beautiful wife to be. The lot. 

But something is missing. Sports management is cutthroat. The culture is toxic. Dog eats dog. It is all about the money. The players are merely a commodity to be traded. The actual health and well-being of athletes mean very little. Jerry eventually comes to terms with the fact that the people (and their families) have been ignored, sidelined and forgotten in the mix. 

While away at a company sales conference in Miami Jerry has an epiphany moment. Inspired by a new vision, he then writes, throughout the night, a mission statement to share with his colleagues.

Here's an excerpt from Jerry's mission statement The Things we Think and Do Not Say: The Future of our Business:

We are losing our battle with all that is personal and real about our business. Every day I can look at a list of phone calls only partially returned. Driving home, I think of what was not accomplished, instead of what was accomplished. The gnawing feeling continues. That families are sitting waiting for a call from us, waiting to hear the word on a contract or a General Manager’s thoughts on an upcoming season. We are pushing numbers around, doing our best, but is there any real satisfaction in success without pride? Is there any real satisfaction in a success that exists only when we push the messiness of real human contact from our lives and minds? When we learn not to care enough about the very guy we promised the world to, just to get him to sign. Or to let it bother us that a hockey player’s son is worried about his dad getting that fifth concussion.

Jerry gets the mission statement printed in the small hours, then he shares a copy with all who attend the sales conference. He walks through the hotel lobby the next morning, to applause from his colleagues. Seemingly, his vision has been accepted, embraced even. But less than a week later he is fired by the very person he had mentored. 

Then begins his true journey. He only succeeds in retaining one client, an undervalued wide receiver (Rod Tidwell)  who wants a lucrative deal to renew his contract with the Arizona Cardinals and see out his career there. Tidwell has huge potential and ability, but at 5ft 10 is short for a wide receiver. He also has a considerable chip on his shoulder.  It is a meeting of two minds, shared values and ambition. The timing and the confluence of their destinies are perfect. The duo then embarks on a journey of growth in order to find the 'Quan' a word which Tidwell uses that for him defines respect, honour and success. 

What are the learnings from Jerry Maguire?

Action. 

Sharing his thinking was a huge step. It was not without risk. In fact, it led to his downfall at the company he worked. But it also opened up a new vista of opportunity. Maguire persists despite the setbacks, and at times still getting it wrong. It isn't easy, but eventually, as Tidwell's performances improve and he becomes a highly prized asset, and then Maguire negotiates a huge 3 year deal for Tidwell which secures his family's future and also the future of Maguire's new business. Perhaps more importantly it restores and enhances Maguire’s reputation. His position becomes better than it ever has been and he has his peers validation to work in the way that he wants to. This would not be possible without huge action at the start.

Purpose. 

Maguire pursues a people-first principle and actually writes down in his mission statement ‘fewer clients - less money’. This was at total odds with the pervading culture (at SMI) of money first, at all costs. But it is this approach that distinguishes Maguire. It is what makes him different. Of course, it means that his focus and turnover may be smaller than that of the larger company, but his results have the potential to deliver greatness while building a valuable business that aligns with his values. He stands out, he is unique and this is his prized asset or the ‘secret sauce’ of his business. Any business.

Journey. 

It is a journey, and success doesn't just slot into place easily. Jerry commits to his journey ( he does not have a lot of choice) and doesn't give in despite it being so challenging. His (as it is with most entrepreneurs) is a journey defined initially by failure, and at times public humiliation, upset and disappointment, but eventually, it turns into success. Throughout the journey, he gains clarity on what is right and what happiness means to him on a personal level. I won't spoil the ‘love’ story by giving away everything.

It is a classic heroes journey storyline and it is produced and delivered in an awesome way. I recommend this film to anyone who likes a feel-good movie but one with real substance while featuring some amazing performances :)

So What?

If you don't like the way things are done where you are now, you can try changing from within the organisation you work in. But if you come up against resistance,  then you will need to find the courage to do your own thing. It is not realistic to expect people to support and like what you are doing and saying immediately, expect it to be tough, but remember, keep going, and as the print shop owner says to Jerry Maguire after he gives him his copies of his mission statement:

"That's how you become great, man. Hang your balls out there"!